About The EDiS Institute

Established in 1998, The EDiS Institute creates a forum for colleagues to share knowledge, discuss industry challenges and highlight pivotal issues and emerging trends within our industry.

We also want to encourage young students to choose a career related to construction. The EDiS Institute is an opportunity to increase communication between the industry and vocational education institutions in the area, and a portion of the proceeds goes to benefit vocational technical high schools.

Held every two years, the event is attended by over 400 professionals and students. Participants include members of the construction, development, architectural and educational communities, as well as the supporting industries of banking, insurance and finance.

On March 18, 2008, more than 500 business people, educators and students attended the half-day symposium to help raise much-needed funds for vocational education.

Greg Church, Chairman of Church Capital Management, along with Michael Church, delivered an inspiring presentation on the state of our economy assuring attendees of bounce back, while Scot Horst, Chair of the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Steering Committee explained how "You don't have to go out of business to help save the Earth", and finally Pat Croce, Sports Medicine Pioneer, former President of the Philadelphia 76ers and motivational speaker inspired and encouraged all with a high-energy message to view our daily responsibilities as a "vacation not a vocation".

The 2008 EDiS Institue raised $40,000 to contribute to vocational education programs.

On April 26, 2006, over 450 attendees were inspired by the combination of cutting edge information and networking opportunities.

Dr Mark Zandi, Chief Economist and Co-Founder of Moody's Economy.com provide the regional economic outlook, while Dr. Chip Bell, The Chip Bell Group, inspired and motivated the audience to create passionately devoted customers and Marc Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League spoke to the challenges of preparing our youth for the future.

On average, the event raises $40,000 for vocational education in Delaware and Southeastern Pennsylvania.

On April 21, 2004, regional construction and development leader EDiS Company presented its fourth EDiS Institute at the Bank One Center on the Riverfront. EDiS attracted two nationally known speakers to address construction industry trends and growth potential as well as new ways to engage and motivate employees to produce a winning business culture. Proceeds from the event benefited vocational education.

On April 25, 2002, over 400 professionals and students from the region attended the third biennial EDiS Institute at the First USA Riverfront Arts Center in Wilmington, Delaware. The event attracted participants from the construction, development, architectural and educational communities as well as the supporting industries of banking, insurance and finance.

On May 4, 2000, the Institute again sponsored speakers such as Lee Smither of the Fails Management Institute who spoke about economic trends in the industry. Dr. Dennis Loftus of the New Castle Vocational School District talked about workforce readiness. The keynote speaker was Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who spoke about environmentalism.

On May 27, 1998, the newly established bi-annual EDiS Institute was host to nearly 250 people who received powerful information regarding economic trends, labor shortage and the changing environment for land development. Our keynote speaker was Andres Duany of DPZ in Miami, Florida. Mr. Duany is a co-founder of the Congress for New Urbanism and spoke to the group about the importance of New Urbanism to stop suburban sprawl.

The EDiS Institute, established in celebration of the company's 90th Anniversary, gives back to the community and the building industry. As a way to help train young people for jobs in the industry, donations are made to the area's Vocational-Technical High Schools.