Steve Bart
June 26, 2025
The 2025 Delaware Business Owner Summit, hosted once again at the Hyatt in Dewey Beach, was a resounding success—bringing together over 200 business owners, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders for a full day of connection, insight, and momentum. As a completely sold-out event, the energy and enthusiasm throughout the day reaffirmed why this summit has become a must-attend for the Delaware business community.
This year’s programming featured a carefully curated lineup of speakers and panels focused on topics that matter most to growth-minded business owners. Attendees heard from keynote speakers like Joel Brown, whose session on multi-generational team dynamics struck a powerful chord with leaders navigating the challenges of a diverse and evolving workforce. Katie Kutler delivered a standout presentation on cultivating workplace culture and people-first leadership, while Dr. Pedego and Dr. Brady shared emotional and practical insights on succession planning and navigating transition with intention. The inclusion of a succession panel added a unique layer of depth to the afternoon program, giving attendees the opportunity to hear first-hand from owners who’ve navigated these critical inflection points.
The event wasn’t just about content—it was about connection. From the opening breakfast buffet at 9:00 a.m. to the mid-day lunch at 12:00 p.m., to happy hour featuring everyone’s favorite – Grotto Pizza – attendees engaged in meaningful conversations, met new potential collaborators, and reconnected with familiar faces. The Hyatt provided an exceptional venue for this level of engagement, and feedback from guests consistently cited the quality of both the programming and the people in the room.
Operational improvements from the prior year were well received. Improvements were made, registration was streamlined, and meals were efficiently served without sacrificing quality. While we heard several useful suggestions—such as more dedicated networking breaks, better parking logistics, and increased panel discussion time—many of the comments echoed a shared sentiment: this year was a significant step forward.
We are deeply grateful to all our sponsors, speakers, volunteers, and attendees for making the 2025 summit such a success. The momentum from this year has only increased our excitement for what’s to come—and the bar has officially been raised for 2026.