The City of Victoria is preparing to host its first ever Growing Victoria Summit, a half day event focused on economic development, education, and long term prosperity for the community.
The free summit will take place Thursday, March 12, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Victoria Community Center. All sessions will be recorded and later shared on the City’s local cable channels and YouTube.
Goals and opportunities
The morning begins at 8 a.m. with breakfast and opening remarks from Mayor Duane Crocker, who will discuss what growth means for Victoria in terms of both economic and community development. He will also address feedback submitted by residents during registration.
At 8:45 a.m., representatives from Newmark Group will present strategies that have helped other cities expand and thrive, outlining key priorities that support sustainable growth. A fireside chat with the mayor and the consulting team will follow at 9:15 a.m., offering attendees an opportunity to ask questions.
Where Victoria is headed
An education panel will begin at 10 a.m., featuring leaders from across Victoria’s academic institutions. Panelists include Texas A&M University-Victoria President Christian Hardigree, Victoria College President Jennifer Kent, Victoria Independent School District Superintendent Sheila Collazo, and St. Joseph High School President John Gilley.
The discussion will focus on the connection between education, workforce development, and long term community prosperity, while highlighting ongoing growth initiatives. The panel will be moderated by Geanie Morrison, a Victoria native who served the 30th district in the Texas House of Representatives from 1999 to 2025 and previously chaired the House Committee on Higher Education.
To conclude the summit, Mayor Crocker will deliver his 2026 State of the City address at 11:45 a.m. over lunch. He is expected to outline specific projects and initiatives designed to move Victoria forward and explain how residents can take part in shaping the city’s future.
The event is scheduled to end around 1 p.m., marking what city leaders hope will be the beginning of an ongoing community conversation about growth and opportunity in Victoria.