Newport News to host 'Noodle: The Thinkers Convention' Memorial Day weekend; organizers outline lineup, capacity and local outreach

City officials at a March 10 Newport News work session heard details about a Memorial Day weekend event branded as "Noodle: The Thinkers Convention," a mix of panels, keynotes and live performances intended to draw regional and national visitors while highlighting local businesses.

City manager Alan introduced Antonio Dow and Robbie Wells of Global Music Touring, who told council the event is scheduled for May 22–23 and was conceived as more than a music festival: "We pick Memorial Day weekend because we like to work on celebratory weekends," Dow said, describing the organizers' aim to combine "culture and commerce" and to create lasting economic impact for downtown and the Yard District.

Dow listed a mix of speakers and performers the organizers have secured or targeted, naming Chance the Rapper, Daymond John, Aloe Blacc, CeeLo Green, neuroscientist David Eagleman and Megan Henshaw (Google X) as part of a program that will include both performances and speaking engagements.

Organizers described the site plan as a main stage in the Yard District parking lot next to Ironclad Brewery, with panel programming staged in a 70–72-foot dome in Victory Landing Park. Dow said city police and the fire marshal have been consulted on logistics and that businesses inside the Yard District will be incorporated inside the fenced event footprint.

On tickets and capacity, Dow said organizers plan a single, affordable ticket granting access to both panels and performances so attendees "won't have to choose." He added that the "fire marshal capacity has been cleared at 8,000," and that ticket sales will start Thursday the 12th at 10 a.m. via noodlecon.com; organizers said pricing would be released once city tax considerations were finalized.

Council members pressed organizers on branding, marketing and inclusion of local partners. "We wanted to present a festival representative of the entire city — do you think we accomplished that with this current lineup?" Councilman Coleman asked. Dow replied that organizers were building national programming first and would fold in local tech companies, universities and CEOs where appropriate.

Mayor Jones asked staff to begin tracking the event's direct and indirect economic impact now that the lineup has been announced. Alan said Marlon McDaniel in the Office on Innovation is leading an assessment strategy and that staff are reviewing models used by peer localities to estimate returns from major events.

Several council members urged organizers to meet with small-business owners and the chamber of commerce to ensure downtown restaurants and retailers can capture visitor spending during the weekend. Council members also discussed the absence of permanent large-event venues in the city and asked staff to consider infrastructure needs for future events.

Organizers closed by urging council members to direct constituents to noodlecon.com for updates. The item was taken as a first read at the work session; no council vote on the event itself occurred.