Delaware Business Owner Summit 2026 Brings Together More Than 200 Business Leaders for a Sold-Out Event in Dewey Beach

On June 25, 2026, more than 200 business owners, executives, entrepreneurs, sponsors, and community leaders gathered at the Lighthouse Cove Event Center in Dewey Beach for the third annual Delaware Business Owner Summit (DBOS), presented by Blue Rock Financial Group.

What began as a gathering of Delaware business owners has grown into a highly anticipated event focused on leadership, business growth, succession planning, and professional development.

This year’s sold-out summit delivered a full day of conversations, insights, networking opportunities, and community impact, all while raising $10,000 for Children’s Beach House. The event welcomed attendees from across Delaware and the surrounding region, bringing together leaders representing businesses of all sizes and industries. The sold-out event represented the summit’s largest gathering to date.

A Day Designed for Business Owners

The Delaware Business Owner Summit was created with one goal in mind: to help business owners make better decisions, build stronger companies, and connect with other leaders facing similar challenges.

Throughout the day, attendees heard from successful entrepreneurs, executives, industry experts, and thought leaders covering topics including:

• Leadership and succession planning
• Business growth and scalability
• Artificial intelligence and emerging technology
• Company culture and employee engagement
• Marketing and social media strategy
• Commercial and residential real estate
• Personal and professional resilience

In addition to educational sessions, attendees had opportunities to network throughout the day, connect with sponsors and exhibitors, receive professional headshots, and engage in meaningful conversations with fellow business leaders.

The event’s mix of topics and speakers resonated with attendees. In post-event feedback, participants praised the variety of perspectives represented throughout the day, with one attendee noting that the summit provided “valuable information from all walks of life and all levels of business.” Another shared that hearing established business owners discuss their experiences across multiple industries was one of the day’s highlights.

Featured Speakers and Sessions

Throughout the day, attendees were guided by Carter McClung, CFP®, CSLP®, Director of Financial Planning at Blue Rock Financial Group, who served as emcee and helped facilitate the conversations, transitions, and key moments that shaped the summit experience.

The speaker lineup was consistently mentioned as one of the strongest aspects of the event. Attendees appreciated the balance of practical business strategies, leadership lessons, and personal experiences shared throughout the day. Several survey respondents noted that the presentations provided actionable insights they could immediately apply within their own organizations.

Billion Dollar Real Estate Panel

AI & Business: What to Expect in the Next 12–18 Months

Building Human Connection Inside High-Performing Organizations

Mike Malloy, CEO and Founder of Malloy Industries, focused on the importance of human relationships in business and how organizations can create stronger cultures through intentional leadership and communication.

His message resonated with attendees who are navigating growth while maintaining company culture.

How Businesses Can Use Social Media to Fuel Success

Courtney Thomas, Associate Managing Director of Social Media at Aloysius Butler & Clark, shared practical insights on leveraging social media to increase visibility, build trust, and drive business growth.

Attendees walked away with actionable strategies they could implement immediately.

Creating Experiences That Build Trust, Loyalty, and Performance

Melissa Tipton, Chief Experience Officer at Compass Business Solutions, challenged attendees to think differently about employee experience and the direct connection between culture and business performance.

Special Presentation by Dave Tiberi

Former world boxing champion Dave Tiberi inspired attendees with a powerful message on perseverance, discipline, resilience, and leadership.

His story provided a memorable reminder that success often requires overcoming adversity and staying committed to long-term goals.

In addition to sharing lessons on resilience and leadership, Tiberi highlighted his work as founder of Donate Delaware, a nonprofit organization that serves as a resource center and rapid-response network for individuals and families in need across the state. Through the collection, refurbishment, and redistribution of durable medical equipment and supplies, Donate Delaware helps improve access to essential resources while reducing waste and supporting local communities. His presentation served as a powerful reminder that business leadership extends beyond financial success and can create meaningful impact through service, collaboration, and philanthropy.

Legacy & Leadership Panel

The afternoon concluded with a panel discussion focused on leadership, succession planning, and long-term business impact, also moderated by Todd Roselle, CFP®, ChFC.

Panelists included:

• Amy Hopkins, Entrepreneur, Strategic Advisor and Founder, American Center for Farming Heritage
• Jeff Gosnear, President/CEO, Grotto Pizza, Inc.
• Mike Sherry, Managing Director, Gulfstream Mergers and Acquisitions

The conversation explored how business owners can build organizations that thrive beyond their direct involvement and prepare future leaders for success.

Meaningful Networking Opportunities

One of the defining characteristics of DBOS is the opportunity for attendees to connect with peers, partners, advisors, and fellow entrepreneurs.

Professional Headshots and Attendee Experiences

Attendees also enjoyed complimentary professional headshots provided by Errol E Photography.

The headshot station remained active throughout the day and gave business owners an opportunity to update their professional branding while attending the summit.

Beyond the educational content, attendees praised the overall event experience. The Lighthouse Cove Event Center earned high marks for its waterfront setting and atmosphere, with one attendee describing it as a “wonderful atmosphere with amenities you can’t beat.” Another attendee summed up the experience by saying, “Everything was perfect, from the location, event space and its employees, the food, the timing, the speakers, to the crowd.”

Supporting Children’s Beach House

While education and networking remain central to the event, giving back to the community is equally important.

Thanks to the generosity of attendees, sponsors, and partners, DBOS 2026 raised and donated $10,000 to Children’s Beach House.

Children’s Beach House works to improve the lives of children, youth, families, and communities by helping them identify, understand, and utilize their own strengths, talents, and resources. Through programs including early childhood education, youth development initiatives, and after-school programming, the organization provides supportive resources, educational opportunities, and a lifelong sense of community for children and families across Delaware.

During the summit, representatives from Children’s Beach House shared their mission with attendees before accepting the donation on stage.

Sponsors and Partners

The success of the Delaware Business Owner Summit would not have been possible without the support of our sponsors and partners. We are grateful to this year’s sponsors, including SEI, Schell Brothers, Cape Gazette, Trucordia, Gulfstream Mergers & Acquisitions, Pike Creek Mortgage Services, M&T Bank, JLAM, Morris James LLP, GGA Construction, Hopkins Market, The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group, John Hancock, AC Plant & Turf, Bella Terra Landscapes & Gardens, First State Orthopaedics, Blue Hen Insurance, Accent on Travel, Hudson Planning Group, FAW Casson, Visit Rehoboth, and Transamerica. Their support helped create an exceptional experience for attendees while strengthening Delaware’s business community and supporting Children’s Beach House.

Looking Ahead to DBOS 2027

The Delaware Business Owner Summit continues to grow each year, bringing together business leaders who are committed to learning, sharing ideas, and building stronger organizations.

What began as a local gathering has evolved into a highly anticipated event for business owners throughout Delaware and the surrounding region. One attendee called the summit “an absolutely fantastic experience,” while another noted that they left with a list of new ideas, new connections, and even a longer reading list than when they arrived. Feedback like this reinforces the summit’s mission to create meaningful conversations that continue long after the event concludes.

We are incredibly grateful to our speakers, sponsors, volunteers, partners, attendees, and Children’s Beach House for helping make DBOS 2026 such a success. Together, they helped create an event that will continue generating conversations, connections, and opportunities long after the summit concluded.

Planning is already underway for DBOS 2027. As the summit continues to grow, our mission remains the same: to bring together business owners, executives, entrepreneurs, and community leaders for a day of meaningful conversations, practical insights, and lasting connections.

We look forward to building on this year’s momentum and welcoming Delaware’s business community back to Dewey Beach next year.