Calling all central Delaware leaders! Are you ready to take the next step in expanding your personal and professional skills? Are you ready to challenge yourself, pave new pathways and create relationships to last a lifetime? Then the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce invites you to be part of their diamond program: Leadership Central Delaware.

On Wednesday, May 7, from 5–7 p.m., the CDCC will host its annual LCD Invitational Reception. This gathering creates a platform where LCD alumni share information about this leadership development experience with prospective members of the next LCD class. This year’s Invitational Reception is sponsored by Lessard Builders and will take place at Burwood Estates, 3367 Upper King Road, Dover.

Leadership Central Delaware is a 10-month program that meets on the first Thursday of every month for a day filled with tours, presentations, exercises and introductions of all that central Delaware offers. The year kicks off with an immersive overnight opening retreat to allow classmates to connect on a personal and professional level. This is the chance for everyone to meet their fellow leaders and teammates for this educational leadership program.

Each monthly session is strategically planned to focus on a variety of industries such as education, media & communications, agriculture and agri-tourism, economic development, energy & environment, and more. Classmates meet face-to-face with executive leaders to learn from them about central Delaware and themselves as they continue to shape their own leadership styles.

Classmates will think and act critically about what it means to be a leader, all while honing the necessary skills such as teamwork, problem solving, delegation, goal setting and innovative thinking. All this is accomplished while having some serious fun!

Leadership Central Delaware offers an opportunity for emerging leaders to step out of their usual roles for the day, and step into a unique way to learn to lead. A good leader believes there is always something new to learn, and the goal of this CDCC diamond program is to provide a space for people with the desire to keep learning and evolving.

Start planning now to be part of Leadership Central Delaware by registering for the free Invitational Reception happening Wednesday, May 7, from 5-7 p.m. Class sizes are limited; participants are chosen through an interview process. To learn more about Leadership Central Delaware, visit www.cdcc.net/pillars/education/leadership-central-delaware. To register for the LCD Invitational or for more info about being a sponsor, please contact the CDCC office at 302-734-7513. It’s time to start building Central Delaware’s next generation of leaders!

Upcoming events:

April 30 – Sunset Business Mixer, Bayhealth at Blue Hen Medical Facility, 5–7 p.m., members and invited guests

May 1 – Kent County Open for Business, Kent County Administrative Complex, Room 220, 8:30–10 a.m., open to all

May 7 – LCD Invitational Reception, Burwood Estates, 3367 Upper King Road, Dover, 5–7 p.m., members only

May 15 – Member Orientation, via Zoom, 12–1:30 p.m., members only