Presented by the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce, Beacon at Salisbury University, and the Franklin P. Perdue School of Business at Salisbury University, the 36th Annual Southern Delmarva Economic Forecast will be held Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. 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 2024 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 to 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; Daniel Thompson, Executive Director, Somerset County Economic Development; William Pfaff, Executive Director, Sussex County Economic Development, Delaware; and Leander Pambid, Accomack County Virginia Economic Development.

The second panel – Keys to Attracting Productive Employees and Leaders – will feature panelists Eric Johnston, President & Financial Advisor, In Focus Financial Advisors; Michael Jensen, Executive Director of Entrepreneurship at Salisbury University; Ruth Baker, Dean of Continuing Education and Workforce Development at Wor-Wic Community College and Katarina Ennerfelt, President & CEO, Torrid Corp.

The third panel, Tackling Workforce Challenges/Post-Pandemic, features Leslie Sinclair, Program Manager of the Eastern Shore Child Care Resource Center; Andrew Griffin, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs, Maryland Chamber of Commerce; and Bernie Flax of the Coastal Association of Realtors.

The fourth panel, Climate Change Legislation-Pros and Cons for Business, will feature panelists Paul Pinsky, Director, Maryland Energy Administration; G. Andrew Getty, Chief Compliance Officer, VP, Environmental Sustainability and Government Relations at Perdue Farms; Alan Girard, Eastern Shore Director, Chesapeake Bay Foundation; and Geoffrey Pohanka, Chairman, National Automobile Dealers Association.

Following the forecast, the Lower Shore Legislative Delegation will be on hand to answer questions during the 2024 Maryland General Assembly Session Preview.

Tickets are $75 for members and $100 for future members and may be purchased online at bit.ly/3rF0EtR.