It’s interesting how people can say that things are oversaturated and be negative so quickly, without having the perspective to see the bigger picture and the grander scale.
A summer of impact
In May 2025, we hosted an event that brought out over 800 people and set the tone for a summer of record-breaking engagement.
The fact that entertainment events can create dozens of immediate jobs in just one week … shows their power as a workforce development tool.
founder of AI startup ReadyPromptOne Malcolm Coley
These events laid the foundation for what came next: an August run of unforgettable experiences that showcased the power of entertainment to create jobs, boost revenue, and energize Delaware’s communities.
In June 2025, we partnered with the Delaware State University Athletics Department for a fundraising event that attracted more than 600 attendees, proving that entertainment can also drive educational and athletic advancement for the state’s institutions. This also included a special event featuring the new head coach of Delaware State University’s football team DeSean Jackson, plus Norman Oliver, Leroy Tice, Steve Ewing, Tony Allen and Temesghen Starr.
Denim and White: A day of culture and connection
On Thursday, Aug. 28, Ditch Day Delaware drew a crowd of 1,000 people. Just three days later, on Aug. 31, we elevated the summer with our signature Denim and White experience. The day began with a brunch featuring Ladies Love R&B, powered by DJs from across the region who brought together music lovers for an afternoon of vibes, connection and culture.
That energy rolled straight into the evening, where the Denim and White Party at Docklands drew over 1,300 people throughout the day, making it one of the largest single-day entertainment events Delaware has seen this year.
In total, across both Ditch Day and the Denim and White experience, more than 2,300 people were engaged in a single week, which is a powerful testament to the demand for high-quality, homegrown entertainment.
Jobs created, communities strengthened
These events generated over 200 jobs in hospitality, from bartenders, videographers and photographers to print staff, servers, event staff and sponsors. In a state where Wilmington’s poverty rate hovers near 20% and opportunities for steady work are critical, every job matters.
The fact that entertainment events can create dozens of immediate jobs in just one week, with the culmination of these summer events, shows their power as a workforce development tool.
Delaware’s broader entertainment economy reinforces this story.
Tourism spending reached $7 billion in 2023 — a 7% increase from 2022 numbers — supporting 55,240 jobs and generating $724 million in state and local taxes, according to the Delaware Tourism Office. Sports tourism alone contributed $258 million, while nonprofit arts and culture generated $209.4 million in activity and 3,330 jobs statewide. The average amount spent per Delaware visitor was $238 in 2023. For every $1 spent by Delaware visitors, the state’s economy retained about 66 cents.
Tourism contributed $4.7 billion to the state’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023, accounting for more than 5% of the state’s GDP, according to the office. In addition, there was $724 million in state and local tax revenue generated by the tourism industry. Without tourism, each Delaware household would pay an additional $1,826 in state and local taxes.
These numbers prove what we saw on the ground this week: entertainment creates work, boosts revenue and builds momentum.
Why entertainment matters for workforce development
Corporations do not just look at tax incentives when deciding where to locate. They look at the quality of life. They want to know: Will their employees want to live here? Will young professionals find enough to do after work? Will families see Delaware as a vibrant place to grow?
Entertainment answers all those questions with a resounding yes. When workers have opportunities to engage socially after hours, whether at the Riverfront, on Market Street, Docklands, the Lounge at 8th, Apexx, the Suite 4 Eleven or at community-wide festivals, like the Clifford Brown Jazz Fest, they are more likely to stay. They are more productive at work. And they help companies reduce costly turnover.
That is why quality of life has become one of the most important factors in corporate site selection, according to national studies. Our local success stories show that Wilmington and New Castle County can deliver exactly what decision makers are looking for.
Building sustainable living in Delaware
Entertainment is not just about fun; it is about sustainable community growth. By hosting events that activate walkable districts, bring in diverse crowds, and create recurring reasons for people to gather, we create a feedback loop: more foot traffic leads to stronger local businesses, which leads to more jobs, safer streets and healthier neighborhoods.
The transformation of the Wilmington Riverfront proves this model. A 2018 University of Delaware study found Riverfront activity created 2,170 jobs and nearly $380 million in output for New Castle County in just one year. Entertainment has the ability to replicate that kind of impact across the state if we invest in it strategically.
The tourism sector supported 55,240 jobs, making it the fourth-largest private employer in the state and accounting for 14% of all new jobs created in 2023, according to the Tourism Office.
The takeaway
The Denim and White Party and Ditch Day Delaware were more than two nights of entertainment. They were a snapshot of what Delaware’s future could look like: a state where vibrant cultural life drives economic development, creates jobs and attracts the corporations and talent we need to thrive.
With Influencers Lab Media and WeBackOutside leading the charge and Newdy Felton at the helm, with people like C.J. Bell, who is the director of the Delaware Division of Small Business, CEO of the Connect DE and is currently working on Delaware’s Last Call, which extends alcohol time to 2 a.m. Delaware is proving that entertainment is not a luxury. It is an engine.
If we want Delaware to be competitive on the national stage, we must continue to fuel it.
