Welch welcomes Vermont Entrepreneur and GameTheory Founder Marguerite Dibble as Keynote Speaker for this year’s conference
RANDOLPH, VT – Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) announced registration is now open for this year’s annual Women’s Economic Opportunity Conference (WEOC), held on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM at Vermont State University in Randolph. All are welcome to participate in this one-day-only event and are encouraged to register early to secure preferred workshops.
“The Women’s Economic Opportunity Conference, which was championed by my predecessor Senator Patrick Leahy and his wife Marcelle, is a key part of Vermont’s heritage. Margaret and I are delighted to carry on this tradition, and we’re excited to welcome Vermonter and entrepreneur Marguerite Dibble as this year’s keynote speaker. Marguerite will share more about her path to success and her innovative approach to solving some of the biggest challenges of our time—from health care to housing and more,” said Senator Welch. “We look forward to hosting Vermonters across the state at this year’s conference to build new connections that foster personal and professional growth.”
The Women’s Economic Opportunity Conference was created by former Senator Patrick Leahy and his wife Marcelle and has been a Vermont tradition for decades. Senator Welch and his wife, Margaret Cheney, are pleased to continue this tradition of bringing Vermonters together to learn, network, and build economic opportunity for Vermonters. This event is held in partnership with the Vermont Women’s Fund and the Vermont Community Foundation.
Senator Welch is pleased to share that this year’s keynote speaker will be Vermont entrepreneur Marguerite Dibble. Born and raised in Landgrove, Vermont, Marguerite founded her company, GameTheory, in 2011 during her junior year at Champlain College, where she still serves as a trustee. Marguerite led development on award-winning entertainment game titles before pivoting the company to apply game design as a toolkit for tackling critical societal challenges. Since then, GameTheory has partnered with dozens of national and international teams to create joyful, impactful change around the world. Her Keynote address will highlight AI in the future of workforce and how it can be harnessed for good.
Registration is free, open to the public, and open now.
This year’s conference will feature nine unique workshops, split into morning and afternoon sessions. Workshops include: The One Sentence That Changes How You Show Up; AI Guardrails and Policies That Protect Your Business; Turning Potential into Impact: From Aspiration to Action; The Price Is Right: What Will Customers Actually Pay?; Metalsmithing 101, presented by Generator Makerspace; Invisible No More: How to Get Found in the Age of AI Search; 2026 Women, Work & Wages Report: Using data to advance gender equity in Vermont; Your Business Checkup: Are All the Pieces in Place?; and Scam Prevention Through a Multigenerational Lens: Protecting People & Businesses. Learn more and read the full list here.
LOGISTICS:
EVENT: The 2026 Women’s Economic Opportunity Conference (WEOC), hosted by Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Margaret Cheney
WHO: Senator Welch (D-Vt.); Vermont Entrepreneur and GameTheory Founder Marguerite Dibble
WHEN: Saturday, September 19, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM (Doors open at 8:15 AM)
WHERE: Vermont State University-Randolph, 124 Admin Dr, Randolph Center, VT 05061
RSVP: Media are asked to RSVP to Elisabeth_St.Onge@welch.senate.gov.
To receive updates on the conference details, registration, and other information, click here. For accommodation requests, please email weoc@welch.senate.gov or call (802)-863-2525 by September 14, 2026.
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