Chamber Press Room

Greater Akron—The Greater Akron Chamber invites you to Economic Outlook 2016 on Friday, November 18, 2016. Join us to hear Jack Kleinhenz, Ph.D., present "Solving for 2017: Prospects and Perspectives." Is the economy on solid ground in the 8th year of the recovery? In spite of being one of the longest expansions, it has lacked intensity. Can we be excited? Jack will provide an overview of key economic indicators, a review of spending trends, and provide a discussion on the outlook.

Greater Akron—Sponsored by SummaCare, 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, October 14, 2016, join us to hear Mark Smucker, President and Chief Executive Officer of The J.M. Smucker Company discuss “Creating and Maintaining a Brand: Building an Emotional Bond With Consumers.”

Greater Akron — Thirty-one Greater Akron Region young professionals have been named the recipients of the tenth 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. A list of the award winners follows:

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, September 9, 2016, join us to hear from Jeff Hoffman, Executive in Residence and Founding Director of the University of Akron’s Center for Experiential Learning, Entrepreneurship and Civic Engagement.

Greater Akron — Thirty-one Greater Akron Region young professionals have been named the recipients of the tenth 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. A list of the award winners follows:

Greater Akron—Sponsored by SummaCare, 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 12, 2016, join us to hear Dr. Alfreda Brown, Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Kent State University, discuss “Diversity in the Workplace.”

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 Ken Babby, Owner & CEO of the Akron RubberDucks and Jacksonville Suns, present "Bringing Affordable Family Fun to QuAkron."

Explore Tropical Costa Rica:  February 2-10, 2017
 
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 2017.
 
Explore tropical Costa Rica with an optional 3-night jungle adventure post-tour excursion.  This all-encompassing 9-day excursion includes round-trip airfare with highlights that include San Jose, Coffee Plantation, Guanacaste, Monteverde Cloud Forest, Hanging Bridges, Arenal Volcano, Lake Arenal Cruise, Cooking Demonstration, Cano Negro Refuge, Zarcero, National Theatre, and More! 
 
Prices start at $2,799 per person for double occupancy.  AAA Members receive an additional $25 off per person.
 
There will be an informational pre-tour briefing at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, June 27, 2016, at the Akron-Summit County Public Library, 60 S. High St., Meeting Room 1, Akron, Ohio 44326.  RSVP your attendance to (330) 376-5550.
 
For more information on trip specifics, visit www.greaterakronchamber.org or type http://bit.ly/1TUZoHC in your browser.  Contact Maria Edwards, AAA Travel Agency, at (330) 762-0631 or [email protected].

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 10, 2016, join us to hear Deborah Easton, an internationally-known trainer and coach for over thirty years and owner of Easton Consulting, present on “Generations in the Workplace.”

Greater Akron—Make plans to attend the Greater Akron Chamber’s Small Business Council’s Excellence in Business awards breakfast on Thursday, May 26, 2016, from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m., at Sheraton Suites Akron/Cuyahoga Falls, 1989 Front Street, in Cuyahoga Falls. 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.

Greater Akron—Join KNOW on Wednesday, May 18, 2016, to hear Dr. Steven Ash, University of Akron, present "Leading Change." Dr. Ash will use research from the fields of leadership, change management, and cognitive psychology to illustrate the traps that leaders might fall into if they are not careful. Since modern organizations must be adaptable, Change management can only be effective if leadership is able to identify new ways of framing problems.

Greater Akron—Sponsored by SummaCare, 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 8, 2016, join us to hear Donzell Taylor, President and CEO of Welty Building Company, present on "People Centered Innovation."

Greater Akron—The Greater Akron Chamber has announced that Anthony J. Alexander, former Executive Chairman, President & CEO, FirstEnergy Corp. will be the twelfth recipient of the H. Peter Burg Economic Development Leadership Award.  Alexander will be honored on Wednesday, March 23, 2016, at the Greater Akron Chamber’s 109th Annual Meeting, to be held at the John S. Knight Center.  This award recognizes Alexander 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 promotes economic development in the Greater Akron region.  “Tony’s vision for our community always focused on what would set Akron apart from other communities,” shared Greater Akron Chamber President and CEO Daniel Colantone. “As a community leader, Tony was willing to engage his company’s time, talent, and resources on the highest priorities to make Akron a better place to live and build a business.”

The Greater Akron Chamber will give its members an opportunity to honor Alexander at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting on Wednesday, March 23, 2016.  To register for the Annual Meeting, go online to www.greaterakronchamber.org, e-mail Sarah Vojtek at [email protected] or call (330) 237-1254.  Reservations should be made by Wednesday, March 16, 2016.

Selection Magazine, one of the nation’s leading location assistance publications, has recognized the Akron metro area as a leader in new and expanded corporate facilities. Site Selection’s yearly analyses are regarded as “the industry scoreboard.”

For more information on the Governor’s Cup rankings, please visit www.siteselection.com.

Nominate a Driven YP Today!

Greater Akron—The Greater Akron Chamber proudly presents the 10th 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.

Nominations will be accepted through Friday, April 8, 2016.  Each nominee will be required to complete the 30 for the Future Leadership Document. This document addresses specific questions regarding the nominees’ leadership skills and community involvement.

Nominees must be between the ages of 25 and 39 by Friday, April 8, 2016, to be considered.  To download the nomination form, visit http://www.greaterakronypn.com/30-for-the-future and return it by April 8 via e-mail to Kim Huff at [email protected]

Greater Akron—Join KNOW on Wednesday, February 17, 2016, for the next Empowering Women Luncheon to hear Carla Gasser present “Girls of Division vs. Women of Connection.”  Carla will speak on how to find the place, walk the path, and seek the women of connection to effectively champion, cooperate, and communicate with each other.

Greater Akron—The Greater Akron Chamber is accepting nominations for our 2016 Excellence in Business Awards.  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 for the Small Business Council’s Excellence in Business Awards.

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 12, join us to hear a presentation on Cybersecurity from Special Agent Ganpat Wagh from the FBI.  He will share the likely perpetrators and targets of cybercrime, the methods of cybercrime, cyber-insurance, and discuss how to prevent, prepare for, and respond to cybercrime.

Greater Akron—The Young Professionals Network, a Program of the Greater Akron Chamber, announces its 2016 leadership team.

Laura Shank, Marketing Director at Apple Growth Partners, will serve as the 2016 leadership team Chairman, while Joshua Imbeau, a Tax Associate at CBIZ MHM, LLC, will serve as Vice Chairman/Chairman-elect.

This marks the first time that YPN has had a formal leadership team, aligning it more with the structure of other organizations that fall under the Greater Akron Chamber umbrella.

Greater Akron—The Greater Akron Chamber invites you to join us on Friday, January 8, 2016, to hear the stories of Old Carolina Barbecue Company, Baja West Coast Kitchen, and Smoke the Burger Joint told by one of its founders, Brian Bailey, President & CEO of Ichor Restaurant Group. 

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.