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City of Newport News
Office of the City Manager
July 2, 2026
TO:
The Honorable City Council
FROM:
City Manager
SUBJECT: NOODLE ӏ The Thinkers Convention: Economic and Fiscal
Impact, Event Expenditures, and Planned Public Release
This memorandum summarizes the economic and fiscal impact and the
material expenditures of NOODLE ӏ The Thinkers Convention, the city’s
inaugural signature convention held May 22 and 23, 2026, and advises you of a
planned public release of these results on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. Two source
documents inform this summary: an economic and fiscal impact study
prepared by the Institute for Service Research (ISR) and delivered July 2, 2026,
and a Summary of Material Expenditures comparing budget to actual costs,
prepared by the event producer and dated June 23, 2026.
Background and Purpose of the Event
NOODLE brought national voices in business, technology, media and music,
including Chance the Rapper, CeeLo Green, Daymond John, and Rhett and
Link, to downtown Newport News for two days of keynote talks, panels,
networking, and live performances. The intent was never a single weekend of
activity but a different kind of vibrancy for the city: a signal that Newport News
can convene national talent, host a polished multi-day program, and be
spoken about well beyond Hampton Roads. As the sections below make clear,
the first-year economic return does not yet match the investment. However, a
study such as this cannot capture the financial impacts that may come from
the exposure and name recognition that is generated.Jump to an indexed page (6 of 6)