Chamber Press Room

Systemic racism undermines and depresses the health, wealth, economic mobility and economic contribution of black and other minority communities. Beyond the resulting significant economic losses to our region, the human toll of lost lives, lost opportunity and lost hope is even more profound.

The Greater Akron Chamber will host an employer community video conference call for members, business and community leaders on Tuesday, May 5 from 8-9am. Our agenda will include a brief update on the status of our community’s health system response to COVID-19 and include Donna Skoda, Summit County Health Commissioner and key leaders from our major health systems.

Greater Akron—On Friday, May 1, 2020, join us as one of our community and Chamber members, Sarah B. Gregg, PE, from Partners, walks us throuh these issues.  Her presentation is "Reopening Your Business Safely."  As the Director of Environmental, Health and Safety at Partners, a nationally and globally capable consulting firm that, among other services, specializes in providing safety services for its Clients, Ms. Gregg is working on the front line with her clients to help then navigate the new normal.

Greater Akron—The Greater Akron Chamber is accepting nominations for our Women of Achievement Awards for 2020.  The Women of Achievement Awards honors professional women in the public and private sectors who have made an impact in their careers and their communities while encouraging the success of other women. Finalists and nominees are recognized at the annual Women of Achievement Awards luncheon. Recipients are nominated by their peers – individuals, businesses and organizations. The deadline for nominations of the 2020 Women of Achievement Awards is Monday, March 23.  Nominate online at https://www.gacawards.com/women-achievement-nominations/.     The categories for the Women of Achievement Awards are:  •    Dorothy O. Jackson Award — Honors an area business or organization that has demonstrated excellence and leadership in their commitment to the empowerment of women and promotion of diversity in the workplace. •    Emerging Leader Award — Honors a young professional woman, age 25-39, whose contributions have impacted her industry and her community, who is a trendsetter and who encourages success among women. •    Woman of Achievement Award — Honors an exceptional woman professional selected for her history of going beyond her own personal and career accomplishments to encourage success among women, breaking down barriers, mentoring others, taking risks to overcome obstacles and support the progress of women. The Chamber will present the 2020 awards program on Friday, June 19.  If you should have any questions, contact Anna Richards, Manager of Events, at (330) 237-1214.

Greater Akron—The Greater Akron Chamber is accepting nominations for our 2020 Grit Awards.  Each year, the Greater Akron Chamber celebrates the accomplishments of the local community by celebrating the companies, businesses, organizations and people who are elevating our region.  We all know or do business with companies who deserve recognition for the exceptional work they do in the business community.  You can pay tribute by nominating a deserving company or person.  The deadline for nominations of the 2020 Grit Awards in Thursday, February 27.

Greater Akron—The Morning Buzz, sponsored by SummaCare, SACS, Miller's Party Rental, and WKSU, is a monthly speaker breakfast series which aims to connect small- and medium-sized businesses by facilitating the exchange of ideas and strategies for business growth and success. On Friday, February 14, 2020, join us to hear Ryan Macfarlane, FBI Supervisory Special Agent from the FBI Cleveland National Security Cyber Squad, present, "The Economics of Cyber Crime and How that Drives Cyber Criminal Behavior."

Greater Akron—The Morning Buzz is a monthly speaker breakfast series which aims to connect small- and medium-sized businesses by facilitating the exchange of ideas and strategies for business growth and success.   On Friday, January 17, 2020, join us to hear Ron Shea, Owner of R. Shea Brewing, present “The Science and Art of Growing a Brewery Business.”  Shea has been brewing since his 21st birthday after receiving a present of an “ale pale” from his wife and an ‘extract’ recipe.  Over 19 years later, along with receiving a BS in Biology, a BA in Chemistry and “almost-an-MS” in Polymer Chemistry, Shea has developed some great recipes with a focus on process and efficiency.

The Morning Buzz, sponsored by SummaCare, Roetzel, Pritt Entertainment Group, and WKSU, is a monthly speaker breakfast series, which aims to connect small- and medium-sized businesses by facilitating the exchange of ideas and strategies for business growth and success. On Friday, December 13, 2019, join us to hear Jeff Stocker from the Cleveland Indians talk about "Re-inventing the Team." He'll be reviewing the 2019 season, talk about re-inventing and the why and how the Indians have been able to sustain success without taking a huge step backwards and how this relates to your businesses. Lastly, he'll close with a look towards the 2020 baseball season. To make a reservation, register online at www.greaterakronchamber.org.

The Greater Akron Chamber and Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce invite you to attend this year’s Economic Outlook 2020 for discussion about the national economic outlook, trends for Northeast Ohio and a panel discussion with perspective from top industry leaders on what they expect to transpire in 2020 for their industries and its impact on the Akron/Canton region.

Greater Akron—The Greater Akron Chamber has announced that Roger Read, will be the sixteenth recipient of the H. Peter Burg Economic Development Leadership Award. Read will be honored on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, at the Greater Akron Chamber’s 113th Annual Meeting to be held at the John S. Knight Center. This award recognizes Read as someone who has displayed paramount leadership for the advancement of Greater Akron’s economic and community development. The award was created in memory of H. Peter Burg by the Chamber’s Executive Committee to recognize a leader who embraces economic and community development in the Greater Akron region.

Greater Akron—The Morning Buzz is a monthly speaker breakfast series, which aims to connect small- and medium-sized businesses by facilitating the exchange of ideas and strategies for business growth and success.  On the Table Greater Akron is a first-of-its-kind initiative that brings together thousands of residents from all walks of life to share a meal and discuss meaningful ideas to strengthen our community. Join the Chamber at October's Morning Buzz when we conduct an On The Table discussion. We'll hear about the program's past two years and then break into small table group discussions.  If you missed an On the Table Greater Akron conversation or attended one and wished you could have discussed more, you are invited to join us at The Morning Buzz. We will continue the #onthetable conversation around aging seniors, drugs and addiction, and diversity and inclusion. 

New proactive funding is part of nearly $3.4 million in quarterly grants approved by board Akron Community Foundation’s board of directors approved quarterly grants totaling $3,378,258, including $225,000 in its first-ever round of proactive grants chosen by the foundation’s Community Investment Committee.

Greater Akron—The inaugural Greater Akron Inclusion Summit presented by the Greater Akron Chamber is a half-day event where local and national business, civic and community leaders will learn more about the economic impact of inclusion, the opportunities ahead of us and the next steps we must initiate to create an inclusive economy in Greater Akron.

Greater Akron—Throughout the year, the Chamber holds three Empowering Women Luncheons to offer audiences the opportunity to hear from women who are blazing the trail and making strides for professional women.  Join us on Wednesday, August 21, 2019, for the next Empowering Women Luncheon to hear Leslie Unger, President of Electric Impulse Communications, Inc., present "Take No Prisoners, Creative Ways to Reach Your Goals."

Greater Akron—Thirty Greater Akron Region young professionals have been named the recipients of the thirteenth annual “30 for the Future” award.  Part of the Greater Akron Chamber’s strategy to attract and retain talent in the region, the “30 for the Future” award honors young professionals (ages 25-39) whose stellar contributions impact their industries and the Greater Akron Region.

Greater Akron—The Morning Buzz is a monthly speaker breakfast series, which aims to connect small- and medium-sized businesses by facilitating the exchange of ideas and strategies for business growth and success.  Join us to hear Kimberly Beckett, Director of Business Relations at Downtown Akron Partnership, present, “Make it to Main: Be a Part of Akron's Progress and Transformation.”  Kimberly will share with us the changes and plans for Downtown Akron and how it effects the entire Greater Akron business community. 

Greater Akron—On Friday, July 12, 2019, join us to hear Abraham Nabors, Owner and Director of Education & Standards at Mustard Seed Market & Café, present “An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure: Key Learnings on How to Live a Preventative Lifestyle.”

Greater Akron—When Steve Millard took over as president and chief executive of the Greater Akron Chamber just a bit over a year ago, the organization and the surrounding communities it serves were undergoing significant leadership transitions. The Chamber was also going through what members called much-needed self-reflection. The board was looking into redefining the multi-county organization’s mission and how it worked with public and private entities. And it was looking for the right professional to lead the Chamber in its evolving roles. They brought in Millard, who at the time was executive vice president of the Greater Cleveland Partnership and executive director of its Council of Smaller Enterprises, and whose background includes strategy consulting. He succeeded Richard Norton, the former Green mayor who served as interim president and chief executive officer after Dan Colantone left in 2017.

Greater Akron—The Morning Buzz is a monthly speaker breakfast series, which aims to connect small- and medium-sized businesses by facilitating the exchange of ideas and strategies for business growth and success. On Friday, June 14, 2019, join us to hear Rachel Tecca, Director of the College & Career Academies of Akron within the Akron Public Schools, present "College and Career Academies of Akron: A Community Transformation.” 

Greater Akron—The Greater Akron Chamber will present the 2019 Business Awards program on Thursday, June 6, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Bounce Innovation Hub, 526 S. Main St., in Akron.  Join us as we honor the accomplishments of local companies, businesses, organizations and people that are elevating our community.  This year, awards will be presented in eight categories.