Chamber Press Room

Greater Akron—Join KNOW on Wednesday, September 7, 2018, for the next Empowering Women Luncheon to hear Grace Wakulchik, President of Akron Children’s Hospital, lead a panel discussion with several of her female colleagues. Panelists include: Lisa Aurilio, MSN, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, Chief Operating Officer at Akron Children’s Hospital. Kinshasha “Shai” Hawkins, MA, Director of Access Solutions at Akron Children’s Hospital. Teresa Volsko, MBA, MHHS, RRT, CMTE, FAARC, Director for Respiratory Care, Transport, The Communication Center and Interim Director for the Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute at Akron Children’s Hospital. Grace Wakulchik, President at Akron Children’s Hospital,

Greater Akron—Thirty Greater Akron Region young professionals have been named the recipients of the twelfth 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.

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, August 10, 2018, join us to hear Craig Freeman, LegalShield, present “Cybercrime and Identity Theft Prevention…Don’t be the Next Victim.” Come learn how to protect your company from becoming a victim of Identity theft, including the dangers of public Wi-Fi use, twin tower attacks, hacking techniques and the “don’t click” rule that is violated daily.  You will also learn about the five major types of ID theft, and participants will better understand how the Eastern European Bloc and China make a strong living defrauding Americans daily.

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, July 13, 2018, join us to hear Pete Fierle, Chief of Staff & Vice President of Communications at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, present “A Vision for the Future.”

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 8, 2018, join us to hear Ian Schwarber, Chief Strategy Officer for DriveIT.

Greater Akron—“Akron USA” will, once again, be leading a delegation to the National Plastics Exposition (NPE) Trade Show May 7–11th at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. “Akron USA” is a public-private partnership that promotes investment opportunities in the Greater Akron Region to companies looking to expand or relocate at both domestic and international trade shows. The “Akron USA” Team will be joined by Premier Equipment, who also participated at the 2015 trade event, along with LT Molding Solutions, a division of Little Tikes, and Ravizza Packaging. The “Akron USA” delegation will be co-chaired by the Greater Akron Chamber/City of Akron and includes representatives from FirstEnergy, County of Summit, City of Fairlawn, City of Youngstown and Team NEO.

Greater Akron—The Greater Akron Chamber’s Small Business Council will present its 36th annual Excellence in Business awards program at a breakfast on Thursday, May 24, 2018, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., at the Firestone Country Club, 452 East Warner Road, in Akron. Join us as we honor the accomplishments of local businesses who have consistently demonstrated outstanding performance, growth, staying power, innovation and proven leadership in the community. The Chamber is pleased to announce the following companies have been named as 2018 Excellence in Business Award recipients: Apple Growth Partners BalancePoint Healthcare Staffing - Emerging Business Award Environmental Design Group Group Management Services

Greater Akron—The Greater Akron Chamber announced today that Steve Millard has been named President and CEO of the Chamber. He replaces Richard Norton who has served as Interim President since April 2017. Millard is expected to join the Chamber on or before June 4.

Greater Akron—The Greater Akron Chamber proudly presents the 12th Annual 30 for the Future recognition program. 30 for the Future recognizes 30 young professionals (ages 25-39) who live and/or work in the Greater Akron Region, who are trendsetters in their industries and who make an impact on the region through dynamic leadership and community service.

Greater Akron—Join KNOW on Wednesday, May 9, 2018, for the next Empowering Women Luncheon to hear Laura Allio, Business Valuation Senior Analyst at Bober Markey Fedorovich, present “The Next Breast Thing — A Reflection on Career, Community and Health.”

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, April 13, 2018, join us to hear Michael P. Mandato, Executive Vice President, System C.A.R.E. Inc., present “Public Enemy Number 1.”

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, February 23, 2018, join us to hear Jason Segedy, Director of Planning and Urban Development for the City of Akron, Ohio, present "Revitalizing Akron: Making a Great Place Even Better."

Greater Akron—Join KNOW on Wednesday, February 21, 2018, for the next Empowering Women Luncheon to hear a panel discussion on “Business Management: Doing It a Woman’s Way.”

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 12, 2018, join us to hear Scott Alexander, 5th Degree Black Belt and author, present “Lead Like a Black Belt.” Scott is a recognized national speaker, leadership consultant and author based out of Maryland.

Greater Akron—The Greater Akron Chamber has announced that Philip H. Maynard, Chairman of ASW Properties, Ltd., will be the fourteenth recipient of the H. Peter Burg Economic Development Leadership Award. Maynard will be honored on Thursday, March 22, 2018, at the Greater Akron Chamber’s 111th Annual Meeting, to be held at the John S. Knight Center. This award recognizes Maynard as someone who has displayed paramount leadership for the advancement of Greater Akron’s economic and community development.

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, December 8, 2017, join us to hear Larry D. Moore, Executive Director, Summit County Veterans Service Commission, present “Making a Difference: How Your Business Can Benefit from Employing Vets.”

Greater Akron—The Greater Akron Chamber is seeking nominations for their third annual awards program to recognize member businesses in Summit County for their support of arts and culture. The award will be presented in collaboration with ArtsNow, a nonprofit focused on connecting arts, culture and community in Summit County. ArtsNow, a nonprofit organization with the mission of advancing arts and culture in Summit County, launched a countywide, interactive website www.summitlive365.com in 2015 that features arts and culture happenings.

Greater Akron—The Board of Directors of the Greater Akron Chamber is beginning its search for the organization’s next President & Chief Executive Officer, retaining Waverly Partners, LLC as its executive search firm. Waverly Partners is a national executive search firm and the preferred provider of executive searches for the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. Board Chair-Elect Marc Merklin of Brouse McDowell is serving as Chair of a four-member Search Committee that will work with Waverly Partners to identify qualified local, regional and national candidates.

Greater Akron—The Greater Akron Chamber is excited to offer our members and the entire community a new travel destination at an affordable price for 2018. Explore Spain’s Costa del Sol & the Portuguese Riviera this same time next year! This all-encompassing 13-day excursion includes round-trip airfare and 17 meals with highlights that include Madrid, Choices on Tour, AVE High-Speed Train, Cordoba, Costa del Sol, Granada, Alhambra, Ronda, Seville, Cascais, Lisbon, Mafra Palace & Monastery, Ericeira, Sintra, Obidos, Fatima and More!

Greater Akron—The Greater Akron Chamber invites you to Economic Outlook 2018 on Wednesday, November 15, 2017. Join us to hear Dr. J.D. Foster, Senior Vice President, Economic Policy Division, and Chief Economist at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, discuss the current economy and future expectations.