About BDIS
Exploring What’s Next
The Big Dipper Innovation Summit™ serves as both a compass and a catalyst for the future's brightest minds. Established in 2023 by JMI, a brand strategy and consulting firm specializing in community engagement, we illuminate paths to innovative freedom by bringing together visionaries who are actively shaping tomorrow's possibilities. Artists, VCs, executives, founders, innovators, and hard-working people, this Summit is for you.
2026 Programming
2026 programming goes deeper with dedicated tracks in Energy, Capital, Tech, Health + Wellness, and Culture + Media, plus Extended Play experiences at venues across Richmond.
Founder stories, creator insights, and leadership perspectives are woven throughout every track, exploring the ideas reshaping every industry.
View the Programming Here.
THREE DAYS OF IMPACT
The Arc of BDIS 2026
The Summit is intentionally designed as a progression from inspiration to understanding, to action.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13
THE ENVIRONMENT
9:00am - 5:00pm | Full Day + Extended Play
The Environment is everything around us and everything we’re building.
Markets shift. Teams evolve. Technology accelerates. The pace of change demands attention.
Participants examine the environments they operate within and the ones they are creating.
Momentum is everything.
TUESDAY, MAY 12
THE SPARK
12:00pm - 5:30pm | Half Day + Extended Play
The Spark is where ideas ignite. New perspectives emerge. Creativity unlocks. Assumptions are challenged and doors open to what’s possible.
This is where momentum begins.
We don't start. We ignite.
THURSDAY, MAY 14
THE SHIFT
9:00am - 4:00pm + Block Party
The Shift is where insight becomes intention.
Perspectives change. Decisions sharpen. Direction becomes clear.
Attendees leave ready to pivot, scale, and accelerate what’s next.You don’t just attend…You leave different.
Your cup is full.
PROGRAMMING PILLARS
Designed for Impact.
The
Vibe
Culture and Creative Economy
Culture, creativity, and energy shape how organizations attract talent and sustain momentum. Your vibe, inside and out, is a strategic advantage.
The
Players
Human Performance and Leadership
People make innovation real. Leadership and team dynamics determine how potential turns into progress.
The
Tech
Technology and the Future
AI, data, and emerging technology transforming industries. The infrastructure of what's next. This is reshaping everything, whether you're ready or not.
The
Dream
Capital and Business Leadership
Founders, builders, and emerging ventures. The playbook for turning vision into reality at scale. This is where bold ideas become real companies.
The
Capital
Policy and Institutional Leadership
Investment, wealth-building, and ownership. Where ideas meet the bag that makes them real. This is about getting to the table and staying there.
Beyond Traditional Conferences
Big Dipper extends beyond daytime sessions to include Extended Play, our evening program featuring Richmond's musical renaissance across multiple downtown venues.
Join Us in Richmond
The 2026 Big Dipper Innovation Summit™ takes place May 12–14 in Downtown Richmond, bringing together forward-thinking leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, creators, and innovators.