Greater Washington Welcomes the World to QWC 2025
General Session of Quantum World Congress (QWC) 2025 opened with a clear message: the Washington region is leading the next great technological revolution—and doing it together.
At Capital One Hall in Tysons, Fairfax County, Jeff McKay, Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, welcomed attendees on behalf of Fairfax, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the Greater Washington region. He reminded participants that this community has long been at the forefront of innovation, from ARPANET and the first commercial internet exchange to today’s Data Center Alley, which carries 75% of the world’s digital traffic.
“Fairfax County is proud to welcome you. The Commonwealth of Virginia is proud to welcome you. And together, we will lead into the quantum future,” McKay said.
A Regional Epicenter of Innovation
McKay emphasized that Fairfax is part of a broader regional ecosystem that blends unparalleled assets: more than 20,000 technology companies across Northern Virginia and Greater Washington, a top-ranked talent pipeline supported by over 60 colleges and universities, and unmatched proximity to federal agencies, policymakers, and international partners.
The Greater Washington region has a proven track record of turning technology into impact—whether it’s pioneering internet infrastructure, advancing national security research at MITRE, or supporting commercialization through companies like IonQ, Booz Allen Hamilton, IBM, Microsoft, and AWS.
Showcasing Regional Strength: Build Here
That collective strength was on display at QWC, where regional partners exhibited under the Greater Washington Build Here brand. Together, they highlighted the region’s collaborative approach to economic development and its commitment to making Greater Washington the global capital of quantum innovation.
Proclamation: International Year of Quantum in Fairfax County
To mark the occasion, McKay presented an official proclamation from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors declaring 2025 the International Year of Quantum in Fairfax County. The resolution affirms Fairfax’s—and the region’s—commitment to fostering international cooperation, discovery, and investment in quantum technologies that will benefit communities locally and worldwide.
Regional Leadership Driving the Quantum Future
McKay’s remarks also recognized the role of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA), led by President and CEO Victor Hoskins, which has strategically invested in bringing global convenings like Quantum World Congress and the upcoming SpaceNEXT conference to Tysons. These events, he noted, are possible because regional governments, universities, and economic development partners work together to ensure Greater Washington continues to attract world-class companies, researchers, and talent.
As QWC 2025 continues, the message is clear: Greater Washington is not just hosting the conversation—it is shaping the global quantum future.