A number of national leaders in sports, film, and business will be coming together to the Mid-Ohio Valley for a series of luncheons and business question and answer sessions as part of the Economic Roundtable (ERT) of the Ohio Valley as part of its 2025-26 programming this fall.

The series kicks off Sept. 3 with B. David Ridpath, Professor of Sport Business at Ohio University, who will speak on the topic of “New Strategies for American Sport Development post NILs and House Settlement” at the Parkersburg Country Club in Vienna.

Ridpath, a nationally recognized expert on NCAA and intercollegiate athletic policy, has testified before Congress, served as an expert witness in several cases, and is widely cited by major media outlets, including The New York Times, Time, CNN and ESPN. He has authored more than 30 academic journal articles, 10 academic book chapters and two books. Ridpath’s third forthcoming book, “Reclaiming American Sport Development: New Strategies for Educational and Elite Sport Pathways,” is scheduled for release in 2026.

On Sept. 24, Will Wedig, an award-winning filmmaker and Marietta native, will speak at the Tower Event Center in Marietta on the topic of “Independent Film Financing for the Mid-Ohio Valley.” Wedig has credits spanning Netflix, Lionsgate, PBS documentaries, and major brands such as Coca-Cola, Chevrolet, Walmart and Geico. Wedig earned his BFA in film from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. His films have been screened at major festivals, and his screenplay “The Devil’s Chasing Me” recently advanced to the top 1.5% in multiple international contests.

The fall series will conclude on Oct. 22 with Mike Salvino speaking on the topic of “Softer Side Skills of Business Leadership” at a location to be determined. Salvino is a retired chairman, president and CEO of DXC Technology and a 1987 Marietta College alumnus. Salvino led DXC, a Fortune 500 IT services company, through a major transformation, significantly increasing shareholder returns while strengthening teams and customer relationships worldwide. A former Marietta College trustee and honorary doctorate recipient, Salvino has also held senior leadership roles at Accenture and Carrick Capital Partners.

“The Economic Roundtable is proud to partner with Marietta College to provide students and community members direct access to leaders who are shaping their industries,” said Greg Delemeester, Vice President of Programs for ERT. “Our campus Business Q&As and ERT luncheons give participants an invaluable opportunity to engage with national experts in sports, film, and business while also strengthening the Mid-Ohio Valley’s ties to broader national conversations.”

Each luncheon program will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. and is open to Economic Roundtable members and guests. In addition to the luncheons, each speaker will host a Business Q&A session the evening before their luncheon in Marietta College’s Thomas Hall, Cooper Auditorium (Room 124). These sessions, scheduled from 7 to 8 p.m., are free and open to students, faculty, and the community.