Welcome to PA VetCon 2025! |
PA VetCon brings together local, state and federal advocates to network, collaborate and learn how to best serve Pennsylvania’s veterans, servicemembers and their families. This conference focuses on some of the most critical issues—behavioral health, employment, housing, justice involvement, and suicide prevention. |
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Wednesday, October 22 - Friday, October 24 |
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Valley Forge Casino Resort, 1160 1st Ave, King of Prussia, PA 19406 |
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The Venue - Valley Forge Casino Resort |
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As the region's only full-amenity gaming resort, Valley Forge Casino Resort features a 40,000-square-foot gaming floor, plus 100,000 square feet of meeting, conference, and banquet facilities, and two luxury hotel towers. Dining options, live entertainment and more are also available. |
Venue Map |
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| View or Download Detailed Venue Maps |
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Meet Our Speakers - Day 1 |
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Micheal Carroll |
Secretary, PA Department of Transportation |
| Read Bio |
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Dr. Debra Bogen |
Secretary, PA Department of Health |
| Read Bio |
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Dr. Laurel Harry |
Secretary, PA Department of Corrections |
| Read Bio |
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Andrew Barnes |
Executive Deputy Secretary, PA Department of Human Services |
| Read Bio |
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Richard Vilello |
Deputy Secretary, PA Dept. of Community and Economic Development |
| Read Bio |
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Hon. Patrick Murphy |
32nd Under Secretary of the Army, U.S. Department of Defense |
| Read Bio |
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Mona Dexter |
VP Military and Veteran Affairs, Comcast |
| Read Bio |
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Day 1 Agenda - Wednesday, October 22 |
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1:00 PM - Delaware Room |
PA VetCon 2025 Opening Ceremony |
The official opening of PA VetCon 2025! |
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1:00 - 4:00 PM - Delaware Room |
Main Speaker Series |
Remarks on various veteran topics from qualified speakers from Government and beyond. |
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Meet Our Speakers - Day 2 |
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Reggie McNeil |
Secretary, Department of General Services |
| Read Bio |
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Russell Redding |
Secretary, Department of Agriculture |
| Read Bio |
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Phil Grant |
Director, Lancaster Veterans Center |
| Read Bio |
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John Schwartz |
Founder & President, Center for Combating Elder Financial Abuse |
| Read Bio |
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Jesiah Schader |
President, PA State Association of County Directors of Veterans Affairs |
| Read Bio |
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Dr. Michele Bratina |
Professor of Criminal Justice, West Chester University
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| Read Bio |
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Day 2 Agenda - Thursday, October 23 |
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8:00 - 12:00 PM - Delaware Room |
Main Speaker Series |
Remarks on various veteran topics from qualified speakers from Government and beyond. |
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1:00 - 5:00 PM - Laurel East/West, Delaware, Juniper/Maple |
Breakout Panel/Work Group Sessions |
Small group discussions covering topics from Behavioral Health & Aging Veterans to Veteran Employment & Entrepreneurship. |
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1:00 - 3:00 PM - Magnolia |
Pennsylvania State Veterans Commission Meeting |
A meeting of The State Veterans Commission which consists of representatives from organizations throughout the commonwealth that are working one-on-one with our veterans in our communities and have the greatest understanding of veterans' needs. |
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3:30 - 4:30 PM - Magnolia |
Pennsylvania War Veterans Council Meeting |
A meeting discuss legislation and other matters that affect the general welfare of our state’s veterans and their families, and to work to build an understanding and cultivation of comradeship, friendship and cooperation among veterans organizations. |
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5:00 - 7:00 PM - The Venue |
Veteran Shark Tank Event |
Veteran entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to our panel of "sharks". |
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Meet Our Speakers - Day 3 |
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Admiral Karen Flaherty-Oxler |
Director, Philadelphia VA Medical Center |
| Read Bio |
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Crystal Houser |
Director, Department of Labor & Industry
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| Read Bio |
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Dr. Latika Davis-Jones |
Secretary, Department of Drug & Alcohol Programs
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| Read Bio |
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Ralph Galati |
Motivational Speaker, Vietnam POW
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| Read Bio |
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Alison Pickel |
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Senior Vice President of Member Relations and Operations, GLVCC |
| Read Bio |
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Rob Opp |
TD Bank, Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce (GLVCC) |
| Read Bio |
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Day 3 Agenda - Friday, October 24 |
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8:00 - 12:00 PM - Delaware Room |
Main Speaker Series |
Remarks on various veteran topics from qualified speakers from Government and beyond. |
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1:00 - 3:15 PM - Laurel East/West, Delaware, Juniper/Maple |
Breakout Panel/Work Group Sessions |
Small group discussions covering topics from Behavioral Health & Aging Veterans to Veteran Employment & Entrepreneurship. |
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2:15 - 3:15 PM - Delaware Room |
The Forward March: A Stand-To on Suicide Prevention, Wellness and Finding Solutions |
A Collaborative Effort to Empower Veteran Advocates |
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3:30 - 4:00 PM - Delaware Room |
Conference Closing Ceremony |
Join us as we bring PA VetCon 2025 to a close. |
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Be sure to use the hashtag #PAVetCon2025 on social media and follow PA DMVA on your favorite social media platforms for pictures and videos throughout the week! |
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Presented in partnership by: |
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