The Delaware Economic Summit will be held in Wilmington at World Cafe Live at the Queen on Wednesday, April 20, and Thursday, April 21. The Delaware Economic Summit will host two keynote luncheons, four educational sessions, and two happy hours. The sessions will focus on economy, entrepreneurship, education and election, and they will feature local experts in each field. The mission for this summit is to create an exciting and engaging event by providing an outlet for Delawareans to learn and discuss financially related topics with local experts.
Now in its third year, the Delaware Economic Summit has moved to World Cafe Live at the Queen, having outgrown its original space at the Westin Wilmington. Todd Roselle, immediate past president of the summit and a partner with Blue Rock Financial Group, shares what attendees can expect from this year’s forum.
Keynote Lunch Speakers
Alex Pires-Wednesday, April 20, noon-1:30 p.m.
Anthony Wedo-Thursday, April 21, noon-1:30 p.m.
Alex Pires is an attorney and owner at Highway One Companies and the chairman and CEO at Community Bank Delaware. “We had him as one of our panel members last year, and he was so well-received that we decided to have him back,” says Roselle.
Anthony Wedo is the CEO of Premier Restaurant Group and serves as a member of the board of directors of several companies and nonprofit organizations, including the Armed Services YMCA. “Mr. Wedo has twice appeared on CBS’ Undercover Boss,” says Roselle, who notes that attendees are sure to be inspired by both speakers’ success.
Entrepreneurship Panel
Wednesday, April 20, 2-3:15 p.m.
This year’s panel features Mark Aitken, co-owner and senior vice president of Horizon Services; Steve Masterson, president and CEO of Waste Masters Solutions; and Mac Nagaswami, founder and CEO of Carvertise. All of the panelists came as recommendations, says Roselle, who always tries to acquire a mix of experience. “They will share their perspectives and the challenges that they have faced,” says Roselle.
Education Panel
Wednesday, April 20, 3:30-4:45 p.m.
This year’s panel features D. Dusty Blakey, superintendent of the Colonial School District; Sandra Hall, fourth-grade teacher at North Smyrna Elementary School who is the 2016 Delaware Teacher of the Year; and Tony Allen, an activist, academic and banker who leads corporate communications for Bank of America’s Consumer Banking and Business Banking divisions. “Every panel that we hold is for the people in the state. Education impacts the economy and is facing its own challenges,” says Roselle, who states that last year’s education panelists provided a higher view of education, so they wanted to provide a more granular view this year. “Every topic being discussed impacts Delaware’s workforce.”
Economy Panel
Thursday, April 21, 2-3:15 p.m.
The summit has recruited Ciro Poppiti, register of wills for New Castle County; Ed Ratledge, director of the Center for Applied Demography & Survey Research (CADSR) at the University of Delaware; and Dace Blaskovitz, co-director of the Center for Economic Policy and Analysis at the Caesar Rodney Institute. “The panelists will discuss Delaware’s aging population and how it impacts taxpayers,” says Roselle.
Election Panel
Thursday, April 21, 3:30-4:45 p.m.
This is your chance to meet the mayoral candidates for the office of mayor of the city of Wilmington. “We invited all of the mayoral candidates to the summit to talk about what they intend to do,” says Roselle. Although all candidates are invited, that does not mean all will indeed attend.
Session pricing is varied and depends on how much of the summit you wish to attend. Roselle says that if you are a first-timer, buy a ticket for a keynote lunch. “We have good panels and some really good people who will be speaking, so you can’t lose regardless,” he says.
The summit will also present great networking opportunities, especially at the two scheduled happy hours. “Some people have a passion for education, some for entrepreneurship. Hopefully, we can inspire them to make the state better,” says Roselle.
About the Delaware Economic Summit
The annual Delaware Economic Summit creates an exciting and engaging space for the business community to gather and discuss issues vital to the continued financial success of individuals, local business, and the state’s economy. The summit is based on the core belief that the strength of the Delaware business community relies on relationships built over the years on a foundation of trust and shared knowledge, a foundation that must be maintained constantly to stay strong.
Schedule and Pricing
April 20: Keynote Lunch with Alex Pires – $50
April 20: Entrepreneurship Panel, Education Panel and Happy Hour – $50
April 21: Keynote Lunch with Anthony Wedo – $50
April 21: Economy Panel, Election Panel and Happy Hour – $50
All-Access Stage Pass (all events) – $150
Contact
Website: www.deleconsummit.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/deeconomicsummit
Twitter: @DE_EconSummit
