Every spring, Annapolis offers a rare opportunity to step away from the pace of work and simply enjoy being together.

For many years, Continental Contractors has had the privilege of hosting clients, industry partners, and our team during Commissioning Week, gathering on the Chesapeake to watch the Blue Angels perform against the backdrop of the U.S. Naval Academy. It’s a tradition that began with Pete Welch, who has always understood that the strongest business relationships are built long before contracts are signed or projects begin. He believed in bringing good people together, celebrating the industry we all care so deeply about, and taking the time to simply enjoy each other’s company.

As Continental enters its next chapter alongside Salisbury Moore, this year’s gathering felt especially meaningful. We were fortunate to have representatives from both organizations together, along with many of the clients and partners who have contributed to our shared success over the years. While we certainly missed those who couldn’t join us, it was encouraging to see how naturally our teams came together. One of the most rewarding parts of this partnership has been discovering how closely our cultures align. Both organizations believe that reputation and relationships matter, and that success is measured not only by the quality of the work we deliver, but by the way we treat the people around us. We are genuinely excited to continue creating opportunities for more members of both teams to connect in the months ahead.

 

PHOTO: The Continental Contractors Annapolis team – with several Salisbury Moore colleagues – gather together for the 2026 Blue Angels show at the Annapolis, MD office. 

The Blue Angels themselves are an incredible reminder that excellence is rarely the result of what we see in the moment. The performance lasts less than an hour, but it represents months of preparation, disciplined training, detailed planning, and complete trust among a team of professionals who understand that every individual has an important role to play. That idea holds true in our industry as well.

Every successful hotel renovation begins long before crews arrive on site. It starts with thoughtful planning, experienced professionals asking the right questions, clear communication between owners, designers, consultants, subcontractors, vendors, and project teams, and countless decisions that often go unnoticed by anyone outside the project. When those pieces come together, the finished product appears seamless. The real work, however, happens well before anyone sees the final result.

Of course, no amount of preparation guarantees perfect conditions. Some years, the skies over Annapolis are clear and the Blue Angels deliver the full performance. Other years, weather, scheduling conflicts, or circumstances beyond anyone’s control change the day entirely. Construction is the same. We plan meticulously, prepare thoroughly, and assemble exceptional teams, while recognizing that flexibility and resilience remain just as important as preparation itself.

As I looked around this year’s gathering, I couldn’t help but appreciate how fortunate we are. We have inherited a tradition that reflects the very best of Continental’s culture, and we now have the opportunity to carry that tradition forward with our colleagues at Salisbury Moore. More importantly, we have clients, partners, and friends who continue to place their trust in us year after year.

To everyone who joined us in Annapolis, thank you for spending the day with us. And to those who couldn’t make it this year, we look forward to seeing you next spring. Traditions like these are never really about the air show. They are about the people, the relationships we build, and the shared commitment to making our industry stronger together.

PHOTO: The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, performing a diamond formation flyover above the dome of the Maryland State House in Annapolis, Maryland.