Don Cunningham and Marcon Properties to be honored at Lehigh Valley real estate awards

The Lehigh Valley Commercial & Industrial Real Estate Foundation will bring together members of the region’s real estate and business communities Oct. 23 for its 33rd Annual Commercial & Industrial Real Estate Awards Breakfast at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks in Bethlehem. 

This year’s breakfast will honor Don Cunningham of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation as the 2026 Individual of the Year, recognizing his contributions to the region and its continued economic growth.  

The Allentown Panel Shop, a Marcon Properties LLC project, will be honored as the 2026 Project of the Year.  

The project transformed a formerly blighted property into a revitalized manufacturing facility, demonstrating how thoughtful redevelopment can return underutilized properties to productive use and create new opportunities within the community. 

The event will also feature Rick Siger, Pennsylvania Secretary of Community and Economic Development. 

The annual event supports babies and their families impacted by medical challenges in the Lehigh Valley community.  

Proceeds from this year’s Awards Breakfast will benefit the neonatal intensive care units of St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital and Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital. Over the past three decades, the annual event has raised more than $1 million in support of the foundation’s mission.  

“For 33 years, this event has shown what can happen when the Lehigh Valley business community comes together around a shared purpose,” said Sarah Finney Miller, LVCIRE Foundation Committee chair. “We have the opportunity to celebrate the individuals and projects helping move our region forward, but more importantly, we are able to turn that celebration into meaningful support for babies and families right here in our community. Every sponsor, attendee, and supporter becomes part of that impact.”