Presented by the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce, Beacon at Salisbury University, and the Franklin P. Perdue School of Business at Salisbury University, the 38th Annual Southern Delmarva Economic Forecast will be held on Friday, December 5, 2025, from 7:30 AM – 2:00 PM at the Salisbury University Guerrieri Academic Commons.
The event is an unparalleled opportunity to hear first-hand what leading regional economists and business leaders believe to be the most significant achievements and challenges ahead.
The 2026 Southern Delmarva Economic Forecast curriculum includes regional economists and business leaders who will analyze the challenges facing regional, national, and global economies.
The first panel, local 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 Jake Day, Maryland Secretary 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
The third panel, 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; Emiliano Espinosa, Director, Chesapeake Agriculture Innovation; Michael Jensen, Executive Director of Entrepreneurship, Salisbury University; and Dr. Xiaohong (Sophie) Wang, Professor of Computer Science, Salisbury University.
The fourth panel, What Lies Ahead in Aerospace and Aviation, will feature David Pierce, Director, NASA Wallops Flight Facility; Aaron Kuipers, Director Test and Lauch Operations, Rocket Lab; and Kurt Eberly, Director of Space Launch Programs, Northrup Grumman.
The fifth panel, 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.
This year’s Economic Forecast is sponsored by:
Presenting Sponsors of this year’s forecast are BEACON at Salisbury University and the Franklin P. Perdue School of Business; Media Sponsor 47abc WMDT; CEO Level Sponsors CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Davis Strategic Development, Pohanka of Salisbury Automotive, Nautilus Solar Energy, LLC, and Wor-Wic Community College; Chairman Level Sponsors Avery Hall Insurance, Chesapeake Utilities, Delmarva Power, Gillis Gilkerson, M&T Bank, Maryland Broadband Cooperative, Mountaire Farms, Perdue Farms, Inc., Taylor Bank, The Insurance Market, TidalHealth, and University of Maryland Eastern Shore; Board Level Sponsors Bancroft Construction Company, BBSI Salisbury, Chesapeake Health Care, Delmarva Veteran Builders, Hebron Savings Bank, Link Bank, Shore Sheet Metal, SVN Miller Commercial Real Estate, Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore of MD, U.S. Wind, W. R. McCain & Associates; Supporter Level Sponsors Bank of America, Delmarva Chicken Association, Greg Reddell State Farm Insurance, Salisbury-Ocean City: Wicomico Regional Airport, Salisbury Wicomico Economic Development, TRUIST, and Urban Grid.
SPONSORSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE and REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
Complete Forecast and lunch are included. Tickets are $89 for members and $109 for future members and may be purchased online at https://bit.ly/4mHa8vZ.
