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Annual Meeting Celebrates Lehigh Valley’s Economic Renaissance and LVEDC’s 30th Anniversary

Published Monday, March 17, 2025
by Paul Muschick and Nicole Radzievich Mertz

 

Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation’s (LVEDC)’s Annual Meeting Tuesday will celebrate the organization’s 30th Anniversary by telling the extraordinary story of the region’s economic renaissance through its people, companies, and world class products Made in Lehigh Valley. 

The milestone celebration, with Capital Blue Cross the Presenting Sponsor, draws leaders from business, education, government, and community organizations to ArtsQuest at SteelStacks in Bethlehem. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. and the program begins promptly at 3:30 p.m.

The 90-minute program will include engaging speakers, powerful video stories, and deep insights into where the Lehigh Valley was in 1995 when LVEDC was incorporated, how far it has come today, and how it is primed for more growth in the years ahead. Speakers include:

  • Rick Siger, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
  • Jay Garner, an Atlanta-based site selection consultant who has done extensive work in the Lehigh Valley.
  • LVEDC President and CEO Don Cunningham will provide an update on Lehigh Valley’s remarkable story.

A highlight of the program will be the “Making Lehigh Valley Home” panel discussion that will explore how the region’s high quality of life drives talent recruitment. Four inspiring individuals who moved to the Valley over the past 30 years will share how the multitude of professional and personal opportunities keeps them thriving.

Following the program, the “Made in Lehigh Valley” exhibit hall will showcase products and ideas from about 20 manufacturers that have helped pave the way for Lehigh Valley’s economic success.

LVEDC’s 2024 Annual Report and other informative publications will be released at the meeting. The companion publication “LVEDC and the Lehigh Valley: a 30-Year Economic Renaissance” features a timeline marking key events over the past three decades that shaped Lehigh Valley’s economic renaissance.

Crayola, among the Lehigh Valley’s longest-tenured manufacturers, is the 30th Anniversary sponsor of the Annual Meeting. As part of the celebration, Crayola plans to provide special edition products branded with Lehigh Valley at the event.

Other sponsors of the 2025 Annual Meeting are Cocktail Sponsors: Boyle Construction and Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba. Gold Sponsors: First Commonwealth Federal Credit UnionFreshpetFulton BankLehigh UniversityNorris McLaughlinWFMZ; and Workforce Board Lehigh Valley.  Silver Sponsors: B. BraunKlunk & Millan AdvertisingLehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson HealthMKSD architectsOlympusPennsylvania Department of Community & Economic DevelopmentPromus FinancialSt. Luke's University Health Network. Community Sponsors: American BankBarry Isett & AssociatesBen Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern PennsylvaniaCLAEARTHRES, a division of RESPECHNL Lab MedicineJ.G. Petrucci Co., Inc.Lehigh Carbon Community College for Innovation and LearningOraSure Technologies, Inc.; and Penn Community Bank.  

Those unable to attend the LVEDC Annual Meeting can watch a livestream by WFMZ

LVEDC will also be posting about the event live on X under #lvedc30th. Join the conversation. 

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