Save the Date for COLLABORATE! Speakers and Date Announced for Premier Annual Conference!
McKonly & Asbury is excited to announce the return of our signature event, COLLABORATE! The annual conference will feature former Pittsburgh Steeler, ESPN Analyst, and cancer survivor Merril Hoge, as well as noted economist Dr. Anirban Basu. COLLABORATE! is an all-day conference scheduled for Thursday, May 19, 2022 at the Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel.
About the Speakers: Merril Hoge
Merril Hoge is a former NFL running back and the author of Find a Way: Three Words That Changed My Life. Find. A. Way. Three simple words, yet when composed in a sentence, Merril Hoge has proven that these can be the most powerful words in the English language. “Find. A. Way.” helped Merril beat cancer, overcome family tragedies, triumph childhood traumas and conquer his personal demons.
A retired NFL running back and former ESPN analyst, Merril inspires audiences with his story of prevailing over life’s hurdles through strength and determination while achieving success through hard work and perseverance. He began his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, eventually joining the Chicago Bears before retiring due to post-concussion syndrome. During his tenure as an ESPN analyst and host, he was well-known for his sharp insights and knowledge of the game.
In 2003, Merril was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, which he fought – and beat – using the same tenacity he demonstrated on the field. He shares his moving story in his memoir Find a Way: Three Words That Changed My Life. Merril’s empowering message provides people with strategies to “find a way” as they pursue their own goals.
About the Speakers: Dr. Anirban Basu
Noted economist and highly entertaining speaker Anirban Basu will provide the COLLABORATE! audience with an economic update entitled “No Time to Buy” during a general session. Dr. Basu is Chairman & CEO of Sage Policy Group, Inc., an economic and policy consulting firm headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland with an office in Indonesia. The firm provides strategic analytical services to energy suppliers, law firms, medical systems, government agencies, and real estate developers among others.
In 2014, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan appointed Dr. Basu as Chair of the Maryland Economic Development Commission (2014-2021). He also serves as Chairman of the Baltimore County Economic Advisory Committee. He is also the Chief Economist to Associated Builders and Contractors and Chief Economic Advisor to the Construction Financial Management Association. He serves or has served in similar roles for Visit Baltimore, Maryland Realtors, and Marcum, LLP.
Dr. Basu earned his B.S. in Foreign Service at Georgetown University in 1990. He earned his Master’s in Public Policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, and his Master’s in Economics from the University of Maryland, College Park. His Juris Doctor was earned at the University of Maryland School of Law. His doctoral work was completed at UMBC with a concentration in health economics.
More Information
Planning for COLLABORATE! is off to an exciting start. In addition to two dynamic speakers, COLLABORATE! will continue its tradition of providing dynamic general sessions and focused, highly informational breakout sessions. More information regarding COLLABORATE! sponsors, general session speakers as well as an agenda will be forthcoming as we finalize plans. In the meantime, SAVE THE DATE for COLLABORATE! May 19, 2022!