The Greater Akron Chamber congratulates Mary Ann Jasionowski, director of the Ohio Small Business Development Center at the Summit Medina Business Alliance in Akron, who was selected as the 2011 State Star for Ohio at the America's Small Business Development Center annual conference in San Diego. The Ohio Small Business Development Center helps owners of startups and small businesses establish the tools necessary to operate, market and manage their businesses. |
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The mission of the Greater Akron Chamber is to drive economic development and prosperity for the people of the Greater Akron Region.
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New website a one-stop site for internships
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Earlier this summer, the Greater Akron Chamber launched NextGenIntern.com, a website designed to connect students, employers and educators together in one central place for internships.
At NextGenIntern.com, employers can post internships, students can search for positions and post résumés and educators can help bridge the gap between education and implementation into the job force. NextGenIntern.com features a complete toolkit with tips on implementing an internship program, contacts at each of the area's education institutions and success stories from those who have benefited from internships.
Why is an internship connection program important? Interns are no longer being sought to do the menial jobs; they are providing fresh perspectives on tasks that require problem solving. They are stepping in and contributing.
From a regional economic perspective, it's no secret that more internships give Akron a greater potential for growth. "Internships are the number-one way you can have a continued impact on economic prosperity," says Daniel Colantone, President and CEO of the Greater Akron Chamber. "We want to see our young talent stay here."
A printed companion resource guide for NextGenIntern.com is also available for viewing online here.
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New benefit programs for members
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Four new benefit programs have made a membership to the Greater Akron Chamber an even better investment. Now available are discounts on electric (generation), natural gas, payroll services and transportation & logistic services.
Chamber Energy Solutions, administered by Palmer Energy, offers discounts on electric generation and natural gas for both members and their employees.
For payroll check processing, Paytime Payroll Processing has discounts for chamber members, and for transportation & logistic services, InterChez Logistic Systems has been selected to provide discounts.
For more information about these or other Chamber membership benefits, follow the links above or contact Chad Hamman, vice president of membership, at (330) 237-1247.
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What to expect in 2012:
Economic Outlook
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| As 2011 enters its last quarter, businesses and individuals are asking the same questions about 2012: which industries will thrive next year? Which will flop? What direction is employment headed? Will it be a good year for retirement?
Economic consultant Jeff Thredgold will give his entertaining and informative perspective on 2012 during the Greater Akron Chamber's Economic Outlook on November 10. A contributor to USA Today, the Associated Press, CNBC and CNN, Thredgold was the senior vice president and chief economist for KeyCorp before becoming an independent speaker and consultant based out of Salt Lake City.
Thredgold's affinity to humor is reflected in his presentation, and each attendee will receive a copy of On the One Hand...The Economist's Joke Book, a collection of jokes from Thredgold.
Video previews of Thredgold's presentations are available on his website.
The event is Thursday, November 10, 7:30-9:30 a.m. and includes breakfast. Registration is only $30 for Chamber members and $45 for non-members. Register online.
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Main Street Gourmet founder to receive Chamber's leadership award
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 The Greater Akron Chamber is pleased to announce that Steven L. Marks, Co-President & CEO of Main Street Gourmet, will be the eighth recipient of the H. Peter Burg Award. The Greater Akron Chamber created the H. Peter Burg Economic Development Leadership Award in 2005 to recognize a local business leader that demonstrates extraordinary leadership in promoting economic development in the Greater Akron Region.
Past recipients of the H. Peter Burg Award include Joseph Kanfer, Donald Misheff, Frederick Krum, Thomas Knoll, William Considine, Robert Reffner and the award's namesake H. Peter Burg. Burg, a chairman and CEO of FirstEnergy, who was not only a business leader but also a passionate supporter of Akron and our region's community.
Marks will be honored at the Greater Akron Chamber's 105th Annual Meeting, sponsored by BCG & Company in March, 2012. Register for the Annual Meeting at www.greaterakronchamber.org.
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