2025 Southern Delmarva Economic Forecast & Eastern Shore Delegation Luncheon

The 38th Annual Southern Delmarva Economic Forecast will be held at 7:30 AM on Friday, December 5, 2025, at Salisbury University, in the Guerrieri Academic Commons. The Eastern Shore Delegation Luncheon will follow.

Presented by Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce, BEACON at Salisbury University, and the Franklin P. Perdue School of Business, the event is an unparalleled opportunity to hear first-hand what leading regional economists and business leaders who will analyze the challenges facing the regional, national, and global economies.

The 2026 Southern Delmarva Economic Forecast curriculum includes regional economists and business leaders who will analyze the challenges facing regional, national, and global economies.

Panel one Economic Development Directors, will speak about how the current economy is impacting several industry sectors including construction, retail, housing, tourism and manufacturing. Panelists include David Ryan, Executive Director, Salisbury Wicomico Economic Development; Melanie Pursel, Director, Office of Tourism & Economic Development at Maryland’s Coast, Worcester County; Susan Banks, Director, Dorchester County Economic Development; Zachary Prebula, Kent Economic Partnership, Kent County, DE; Daniel Thompson, Executive Director, Somerset County Economic Development; Andrew Harton, Sussex County Delaware Economic Development; Leander Pambid, Accomack County Virginia Economic Development; and Robert Sabatini, Northampton County Virginia Economic Development.

Panel two, Addressing Delmarva’s Housing Crisis, will feature panelists Jordan Gilmore, Senior Policy Analyst Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development; Jon Horner, General Counsel, Schell Brothers; and Bradley Gillis, Principal, Gillis Gilkerson; and Bill McCain, Founder & Chairman, W.R. McCain & Associates.

Panel three, Delmarva’s Emerging Industries, features Peter Bale, Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Sentinel Robotic Solutions, LLC; Greg Padgham, Executive Director, Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore; Mike Thielke, Executive Director, Eastern Shore Entrepreneurship Center; Michael Jensen, Executive Director of Entrepreneurship, Salisbury University; and Dr. Xiaohong (Sophie) Wang, Professor of Computer Science, Salisbury University.

Panel four, What Lies Ahead in Aerospace and Aviation, will feature David Pierce, Director, NASA Wallops Flight Facility; Aaron Kuipers, Director Test and Launch Operations, Rocket Lab; Kurt Eberly, Director of Space Launch Programs, Northrup Grumman; and Coleman McCord, Director of Launch Site Development, Firefly Aerospace.

Panel five, Addressing Maryland’s Energy Challenges, features Senator Brian Feldman, Chair, Maryland Senate Education, Energy and Environment Committee; Dave Wilson, Maryland Development Manager for US Wind; Leah Meredith, Director, State Affairs, Mid-Atlantic Region, Solar Energy Industries Association; and Shane Breakie, Vice President, Chesapeake Utilities and Sandpiper Energy.

Following the forecast, the Lower Shore Legislative Delegation will be on hand to answer questions regarding the 2026 Maryland General Assembly Session.

Zach Evans, SACC Chair and Executive Manager of Industry & Stakeholder Affairs, Mountaire Farms. will moderate the forecast, and Greg Reddell, SACC Past Chair State Farm Insurance, will oversee the legislative Q & A.

Tickets

$89 Members | $109 Non-Members

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Sponsorship Deadline: November 14, 2025

CEO LEVEL – $2,750

Six (6) complete Forecast tickets, reserved seating, exhibition sponsor
table, logo on all signage at event, recognition as CEO level sponsor on screen at event, logo and recognition on Chamber website, social media, & SBY Business online publication, access to attendee list