Two-day Delaware Economic Summit to be held in April

Two keynote speakers, seven panel discussions and a pair of happy hour events are planned as part of the second annual Delaware Economic Summit in Wilmington next month.

Jen Groover, a Philadelphia-based author and entrepreneur, will deliver the keynote address during the summit's April 22 luncheon, while Hal Real, the founder of World Café Live in Philadelphia and Wilmington, will handle the keynote address on April 23.

Three panel discussions with business leaders, state education officials, state-level cabinet secretaries and others will follow each day's luncheon, covering topics that include entrepreneurship, marketing, health care, culture, education and the economy.

Panel discussions on Wednesday, April 22 will include:

Create It, Own It, Love It – featuring Glenn Fedale, owner of G. Fedale Roofing & Siding in Wilmington and Handcrafted Tattoo; Alex Pires, attorney, banker, president of Highway One and co-founder of the Delaware Junction Festival; and Matt Haney, president and co-founder of PRO Physical Therapy.

Has Digital Killed the Newspaper Star – featuring Paul Pomeroy, managing partner and director of marketing at ab+c Creative Intelligence; John Owens, senior vice president of brand marketing at Capital One, and Todd Miller, owner and chief experience officer at The Archer Group

How Employees' Health Impacts Your Wallet – featuring Rita Landgraf, secretary of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services; Dr. Leonard Nitowski, emergency care physician at Christiana Hospital; and Tim Constantine, president at Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware

Panel discussions on Thursday, April 23 will include:

Does Culture Impact the Bottom Line – featuring Peggy H. Eddens, executive vice president and chief human capital officer for WSFS Bank; Scott O'Neil, CEO of the Philadelphia 76ers; and David Burke, corporate consultant and assistant professor at Cabrini College

Can Delaware Schools Compete – featuring Mark T. Brainard, president of Delaware Technical Community College; Rob Eppes, president of Junior Achievement Delaware; and Mark Murphy, secretary of the Delaware Department of Education

Delaware Economy, Today & Tomorrow – featuring Ken Simpler, Delaware State Treasurer; Jospeh Pluscht Jr., president and CEO of Patterson-Schwartz Real Estate; and Ed Ratledge, director of the Center for Applied Demography and Survey Research at the University of Delaware.

Happy hour events will conclude each day's events at The Westin Wilmington Hotel on the Riverfront.

The keynote lunches will be held from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Registration for each is $35. Panel discussions will run from 1:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. with each lasting 75 minutes. Registration for all three talks each day is $35 until March 15 and $59 thereafter. Happy hours are $15 each and will run until 8 p.m. Full-day rates also are available for $170 per person.

A free panel discussion, Access to Economic Development At All Levels, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday.