The 2019 Free Enterprise Workshop is a partnership between the Talbot County Chamber of Commerce and the Talbot County Public School System. The program is based on the nationally recognized ACES Program. Over the past 29 years more than 375 business visits have been made by Talbot County educators. In 2018 the program was expanded to include Mid Shore area educators. The Talbot County Chamber of Commerce contacts eight businesses and organizations for each spring semester and provides orientation materials to them. The businesses agree to host the educators, provide them with presentations by key employees / business owners, a tour, promotional information, and dinner. The Chamber coordinates the schedule to include a cross section of Chamber members from different career areas.

This year’s class has nineteen educators from Talbot County Public Schools, Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Schools and Caroline County Public Schools. This year’s participating businesses and organizations are: Chesapeake College; Inn at Perry Cabin;

Agriculture, Natural Resources & Youth Development; Star Democrat; Avon Dixon Agency; Easton Utilities; Easton Airport and Phillips Wharf Environmental Center. The benefits to the businesses and organizations are paramount. Businesses need good, competent, well-prepared employees. Dialogue between the businesses and educators opens up a variety of opportunities to all partners, including the students. Businesses also get information from the educators about key issues, graduation requirements, day- to-day instruction, testing, etc. Many times these informal introductions through FEW create multiple learning opportunities for students, and a better understanding on the part of the businesses about the business of education.