Logistics
Event Details
Date & Time
Virtual kick-off date: October 8, 2026
Virtual kick-off time: TBA
In-person event: October 16, 2026
In-person time: TBA
Venue
Location: The Nicholas Center at Brightpoint University
Address: 13101 Route 1 Chester, Virginia 23831
Parking: Free parking directly in front of venue
Questions: odga@odga.virginia.gov
Schedule
In-person Event Agenda
| Time | Session Type | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| TBA | Arrival | Check-In & Welcome | Teams arrive, check-in, and set up presentation displays |
| TBA | Keynote | Opening Remarks & Keynote Speaker | Welcome from ODGA leadership followed by a keynote address. |
| TBA | Expo | Expo-Style Presentations | Teams present at designated stations while judges rotate through to evaluate each team. |
| TBA | Break | Lunch | Provided for all registered participants. |
| TBA | Expo | Expo-Style Presentations | Teams present at designated stations while judges rotate through to evaluate each team. |
| TBA | Awards | Deliberation & Awards Ceremony | Judges deliberate while participants network, followed by the awards ceremony and closing remarks. |
Format
Presentation Format
Expo-Style Presentations
This year's Datathon will use an expo-style presentation format. Each team will be assigned a dedicated station to display and present their work. Judges rotate through the room to visit and evaluate each team individually.
More details on presentation requirements, including display materials and timing, will be shared with registered teams closer to the event.
Note for participants: Additional presentation guidelines coming soon. Check back here or watch your inbox for updates from odga@odga.virginia.gov.
Resources
Affordability Resources
Coming Soon
Resources coming soon
Resources
Finding Open Data
Teams should start with Commonwealth open datasets and may supplement with any additional publicly available data. Key resources:
Virginia Open Data Portal
The official Commonwealth hub for housing, health, demographics, and more. Data has been gathered on the Open Data Portal specifically for the 2026 Datathon under the "Datathon 2026" organization tile. Data will be made available under this organization tile on the first day of the competition.
U.S. Census Bureau
American Community Survey, population estimates, and economic indicators at county and tract level.
Virginia Department of Health
Public health statistics, vital records data, and community health profiles statewide.
HUD Open Data
Housing affordability, fair market rents, and assisted housing datasets by geography.
EIA Energy Data
Electricity prices, residential energy consumption, and utility coverage by state and county.
SCHEV Data Portal
Virginia higher education enrollment, completion rates, tuition, and outcome data.
Support
Data Questions & Subject Matter Experts
We've Got Experts On Call
Subject matter experts from Virginia state agencies will be made available to help teams understand the data and navigate available resources. They can clarify dataset definitions, explain agency context, and point you to supplemental sources.
Have a data question before the event? Reach out and we'll connect you with the right expert: odga@odga.virginia.gov. Put "Data Question" in the subject line so we can route it quickly.