events & updates
In This Issue - April 2, 2013
Chamber Events
KNOW Luncheon
Coffee, Tea & Contacts
Spring into Summer Business Expo
Chamber News & Updates
Excellence in Business Awards Nominations - Deadline has been extended to April 5!
Advertise in the Chamber's Relocation Guide
Chamber Benefits
Health Care Savings
Partner Events

chamber events

KNOW (Knowledgeable Network of Women) Luncheon
 

KNOW 2010 LogoSponsored by Paula R. Chesser/R. W. Baird

 

Join KNOW for April quarterly luncheon featuring Jennifer Thomas from the Knight Foundation. Her presentation will be "Women's Unique Approach to Business."

 

Jennifer Thomas joined Knight Foundation as program director for Akron in June 2010, and has a track record of developing innovative ideas for Northeast Ohio. In executing Knight's mission to create informed and engaged communities, Jennifer has overseen the distribution of over $13 million in new grants to the Akron community since she began.

 

Previously, Thomas launched and led the Cleveland-based Civic Innovation Lab, which provides mentorship and funding to civic, social and technology start-ups. The Lab gave $1.7 million in grants to new companies that would have an impact on the community and over 30% of them are thriving today. In early 2000, Thomas founded ClevelandClicks, a social networking group supporting and cultivating tech entrepreneurs. In addition, Thomas has worked in New York City as a financial analyst for Pfizer and director of finance for Sony Music Entertainment, structuring deals for artists. Thomas has a bachelor's degree in economics from Denison University and an MBA from New York University.

 

Where & When 

Portage Country Club
240 N. Portage Path
Akron, OH  44303
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
11:00 a.m.

Click here to register.
 
Coffee, Tea & Contacts Networking Event
 
Akron General Health & Wellness StackedSponsored by Akron General Health &
Wellness Center - West
  

This event is a power networking get-together designed for Chamber members to make important connections with their fellow member businesses.  While exchanging business cards is great, it's certainly more effective for business people to learn about one another's respective companies in an intimate setting.  Be sure to arrive at 7:30 a.m. to make the most of this meeting!  Remember, only one person per company can attend, so your networking opportunities are maximized.  The event is free, but the networking is priceless!  Pre-registration is required.


Coffee Tea & ContactsWhere & When
Akron General Health & Wellness Center - West
Conference Center
4125 Medina Rd.
Akron, OH  44333
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
7:30 - 9:00 a.m. 
  

Click here to register.  

 

 Spring Into Summer Business Expo
 
 50 exhibitors * free giveaways * hourly prize drawings * demonstrations
*  samples * tons of fun!
  
tulipsGrab the family and come out and see what the best businesses in the Greater Akron area have to offer!  Admission is free!  Free goodie bags for the first 100 expo attendees!  Have your "shopping list" stamped at the booths for your chance to win hourly drawings plus the grand prize drawing at 4:00 p.m.
  
Where & When
Summit Mall
3265 W. Market St.
Fairlawn, OH  44333
Saturday, May 11, 2013
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  
For more information on being an exhibitor at the expo, click here or call (330) 347-9453.
  
Sponsored by Greater Akron Chamber and Save Local Now.  
  

chamber news & updates

        

Nominations Sought for 2013 Excellence in Business Awards
 
2013 EIB logoThe deadline for nominations has been extended until Friday, April 5, 2013.
  
The Greater Akron Chamber is accepting nominations for our 2013 Excellence In Business Awards.  Nominate a company who deserves recognition for the exceptional work they do in the business community.

To be considered, the company must be for-profit and non-publicly traded.  See additional criteria on the nomination form. 
Click here to download the nomination form!  Click here to see a list of the past recipients.

A separate form is required for each nomination. For questions, contact Sarah Vojtek at (330) 237-1254.
  

2012-2013 Greater Akron Relocation Guide Published

 

2012-2013 reloWe are pleased to present Experience Greater Akron, the Greater Akron Chamber's 2012-2013 relocation guide for those relocating from around the world or across town.  We encourage you to use this publication as a reference for your organization and as an employee recruitment tool. The printed and interactive web version of the relocation guide promotes Greater Akron to companies, individuals and families relocating to the region. It also highlights the talented people who have moved here and the outstanding amenities that make our region one of the best places to live, work and play. We're sure you'll enjoy the feature, "99 Reasons We Love Greater Akron," an informative and fun read about what makes the region famous.  To view the "clickable" version of the guide, click on the picture to the right.  For copies, call the Chamber at (330) 376-5550. 

 

We are now accepting advertising for "2013-2014 Experience Greater Akron," the Chamber's relocation guide!  Consider advertising in our three new sections: The Entrepreneurial Spirit; Philanthropy and Volunteerism; and Active, Vibrant Seniors!

 

Click here for more about advertising and early bird special rates!

 

Leadership Akron Now Accepting Applications for 2013-2014
 
Leadership Akron is now accepting applications for their 2013-2014 class. The signature program empowers participants to see beyond their own spheres to the greater good of the community through involvement and leadership. It offers an intensive study of community issues and interaction with prominent decision-makers, inspiring participants to expand their effectiveness as community leaders. Each year, the program begins with a mandatory two-day opening retreat. After the retreat, participants spend one full day every month focusing on a certain aspect of their community. Focus areas include: social services, business, education, the arts, health and others.
 
Individuals must work or live in Summit County in order to apply. Application and additional materials can be found on the Leadership Akron website at www.leadershipakron.org. The deadline for submission of applications is Monday, April 29, 2013.
 

chamber benefits

Greater Akron Chamber Partners with Constant Contact® to Help You Grow Your Business with Email Marketing
 

Constant ContactUse the leading email marketing service to connect with your customers - and take advantage of a special member benefit

Greater Akron Chamber has partnered with Constant Contact®, the leading email marketing service for small businesses, to bring you a great way to stay in touch with your most important audience: your customers. With Constant Contact®, email marketing is easy, affordable, and effective. In just minutes, you can:  

  • Communicate regularly with your customers and remind them of your value, so they'll think of you first.  
  • Easily create and send high-impact, professional-looking email communications in no time at all.  
  • Review, and learn from, your email results with revealing, easy-to-read reports that show you who opened your emails, what links they clicked on, and more.  
  • Build and segment your list of email addresses, so that you can send focused, tailored emails that get results.
And because you are a member of Greater Akron Chamber, you qualify for a special discount. If you prepay for six months, you receive a 20% discount. Prepay for a year and save 25%!  There's no better time to try email marketing. If you haven't opened an account yet, you can start with a 60-day free trial. To begin your trial, click here.

If you already have a Constant Contact® account and would like your discount, please send an email to chamberprogram@constantcontact.com with your user name telling them you are a member of the Greater Akron Chamber.
  
Chamber Launches New Money Saving Benefit -- Save Local Now™

 

Save Local Now logoThe Save Local Now™ App is a FREE and Easy Way to Save Money and Buy Local

 

The Greater Akron Chamber is very excited to officially introduce our new mobile app, Save Local Now™.  With the help of mobile technology, Save Local Now™ is a platform for chambers to help local businesses grow by placing marketing and self-promotion in their hands and delivering it to their customers.

 

With Save Local Now™, local businesses can offer deals and events on their terms. The offer and the promotion periods are completely within the control of the business. If the deal ever becomes cost prohibitive, the business can modify it, deactivate it or replace it with another deal in a matter of seconds.

 

Customers, clients, tourists and travelers alike can download the FREE Save Local Now™ app from iTunes or the Android market and start saving money at all their favorite places. The offers are virtually endless. Right now, there are over 100 deals and events on Save Local Now™ from Greater Akron Chamber members. Consumers can search for businesses, map locations they plan to visit and share deals and events with their friends via e-mail, Facebook and Twitter.  And redeeming a deal is simple...just show your phone to save!

 

For additional questions on the Save Local Now™ app or to inquire about Chamber membership, contact Heather Taylor at (330) 237-1255 or visit www.savelocalnow.com.  

 

Chamber Promotes Benefits to Members

 

The Chamber's benefit programs enhance its members' ability to save money through their Chamber membership. The benefit programs offer discounts on Electric (generation), Natural Gas, Payroll Services and Transportation & Logistics Services.  

 

Chamber Energy Solutions (CES), administered by Palmer Energy, offers members and their employees discounts on electric generation and natural gas for both commercial and residential accounts. 

Paytime Payroll Processing offers discounts on payroll check processing for Chamber members. 

InterChez Logistics Systems provides discounts on transportation and logistics services. 

These benefits enhance the Chamber's current money-saving benefits including SummaCare and Worker's Compensation. Companies who want to participate can find out more at www.greaterakronchamber.org and/or contact Debbie Richmond, Manager, Benefits & Administration, at the Greater Akron Chamber, at (330) 237-1228.

 


 

CareWorks Consultants Offer Workers' Compensation and Safety Seminars in April 

 

This year's CareWorks Consultants seminars will take place from 8:00 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. Topics include:

  • Keys to Lowering Claims Costs;
  • OSHA Regulation Change on Hazard Communication;
  • Hearing Representation - Legal vs. Laymen;
  • Vocational Rehabilitation; and,
  • Rates and Underwriting: Retrospective Group and Traditional Group Rating. 

Claims administrators, safety coordinators, financial officers, payroll and human resource administrators, and supervisors are encouraged to attend. Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided at all seminars. There is a $40 fee to attend. These seminars fulfill BWC's group two-hour safety training requirements for policy year 2012 for group-rated and group retrospective employers with a claim in 2011.

 

Click here for dates, locations and registration information.

 

Achieve Significant Savings on Your Health Plan Coverage!

 

GACsave.comSummaCareThe Greater Akron Chamber and SummaCare announce our enhanced Greater Akron Chamber Alliance - offering savings to more businesses than ever before! Companies of any size (including those with more than 100 employees) located in Summit, Portage, Medina, Cuyahoga, Stark, Wayne and Geauga counties can take advantage of significant savings by joining for as little as $400. And we're also offering the savings through our Affiliate Chamber Partners as well - so your business may already be eligible for discounts. To learn more, contact your broker or visit www.GACsave.com.

  

Membership Has Its Benefits!
 
Welcome New Members!
Please patronize our new Chamber members.  The Greater Akron Chamber thanks you for helping us support the region's business community. Visit Welcome New Members.

Check Out Members' Events!
The Chamber is offering its members more opportunities to connect.  If your company is holding an event that's open to the general public and you'd like to get the word out, let us know.  Visit Member Events for more information.

Members are Making Headlines!
Got news?  We'll post it!  Visit Member News for more information.


partner events
 
Business to Business Show 2013
  
Presented by The Rubber City Radio Group and the Greater Akron Chamber

 

This Business to Business Show will bring together local businesses and present opportunities to meet new potential customers.  The guest speaker will be the new owner of the Akron Aeros, Ken Babby and resident of Akron. He is a retired newspaper guru and son of long-time NBA agent and executive, Lon Babby. In addition, there will be a networking opportunity from the lounge at 5:00 p.m.  

Choose between two packages and receive a 10% Chamber discount:

 

Greater Akron Chamber Corporate Sponsor Package:

  • Client to receive a table for 8 at the luncheon
  • Client to receive a 10' x 10' booth
  • Client to receive 50 $10 tickets for distribution to the show. (All tickets will be included on a list with other corporate sponsors on a separate web page which will be a part of our web promotional material on AkronNewsNow.com/WAKR and WONE.net
  • Client to be included in rotating promotional announcements with other sponsors on 1590 WAKR and 97.5 WONE (minimum of 50 mentions)

Promotional value exceeds $3,600; with Chamber discount, cost is $450!

 

Greater Akron Chamber Special Exhibitor Package:

  • Client to receive a 10' x 10' booth
  • Client to receive 30 $10 tickets for distribution to the show. (All tickets will be included in a prize drawing at the cocktail reception.)
  • Client name to be listed on web page with a logo link to their website
  • Client logo to be included on a rotating video displayed at the event

Promotional value exceeds $800; with Chamber discount, cost is $270!  

 

Where & When

The Tangier

532 W. Market St.

Akron, OH  44303

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 

 

For more information, click here.
  
Ohio Employee Ownership Center's 27th Annual Conference
 

OEOCThis year's conference theme is "Building Jobs, Wealth & Communities."  The keynote speakers are Corey Rosen, Co-Founder and Senior Staff Member of the National Center for Employee Ownership, and J. Michael Keeling, CAE, President of The ESOP Association.

 

Who Should Attend...

  • Business owners interested in exploring employee ownership as an exit strategy.
  • Current employee owners loocking for the latest legal, tax and ownership culture information.
  • Economic and community development professinals interested in learning how employee ownership can stabilize their community's economic base rates.

Registration is $125 before April 6, $150 between April 7-18 and $195 at the door.  Registration to the conference includes a continental breakfast, plated lunch, coffee break and closing reception.

 

For more information, contact the Ohio Employee Ownership Center at Kent State University (OEOC) by phone at (330) 672-3028 or by e-mail at oeoc@kent.edu or check out their website at www.oeockent.org.

 

Where & When

Hilton Akron/Fairlawn

3180 W. Market St.

Akron, OH  44333

Friday, April 19, 2013

8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. 

 

Heart to Heart Communications 20th Annual Greater Akron Speaks Out for Values Breakfast
 
Heart to Heart logoCelebrating Community Collaborations: Renew and Sustain the Spirit among Us!

 

Join Heart to Heart Communications in celebrating the 20th anniversary of our Annual Greater Akron Speaks Out for Values Breakfast. The 20th Breakfast is sure to be special with a theme of Celebrating Community Collaborations: Renew and Sustain the Spirit among Us, a keynote speech from Daniel Colantone, President and CEO of the Greater Akron Chamber, a video featuring local leaders in collaboration, and an optional interactive workshop on Collaborative Leadership: Inspiring the Best in Ourselves and Each Other with Ellen Van Oosten, Executive Coach and Instructor from Case Weatherhead School of Management.

 

Where & When

John S. Knight Center
77 E. Mill St.
Akron, OH  44308
Monday, April 29, 2013
Breakfast program 7:15 - 8:45 a.m.; Workshop 9:00 - 11:45 a.m.
 
Register today at www.h2hc.org. 
  
  
MANUFACTURING MART 2013
 
Mfg. Mart LogoThe Supply Train Trade Show is designed to help our regional manufacturers increase sales.  With new sales, they can create new jobs.  In short, every $1 million in new sales creates 15 new jobs.¹
  
MANUFACTURING MART 2013 features the manufacturers and material suppliers that make up the Great American Supply Chain™ - the men and women who supply quality parts to America's top brands and marketing companies - GE, Whirlpool, Boeing, United Technologies, Caterpillar, GM, Honda, Ford, and Chrysler, just to name a few.  

There will be opportunities to meet component and subassembly manufacturers, manufacturing engineers and product designers. Attend this trade show and discover manufacturing and assembly solutions, production and delivery solutions, new technologies and equipment solutions that meet your needs.

 

Where & When
John S. Knight Center
77 E. Mill St.
Akron, OH  44308
Tuesday, May 14, 2013 - Wednesday, May 15, 2013
 
For more information, click here.  

 

¹ Seyi Fayanju, February 24, 2010 Published by Environmental Defense Fund based on the multipliers generated by US Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis

 

  
Akron Autism 5k and Walk - June 15, 2013
 
Autism Race LogoLet's Face Autism Together!
 
Akron's Autism 5k and Walk is the premier fundraiser for the Autism Society of Greater Akron. A variety of sponsorship packages are available to support this one-of-a-kind autism awareness event.  As a community supporter, you can help us Face Autism Together and help local families living the autism journey. For more information on sponsorship packages, click here or call Laurie Cramer, Director of the Greater Akron Autism Society of Ohio, at (330) 940-1441.
  
Click here for more information.  
 
Missed an E-blast?
To view the Greater Akron Chamber's archived e-blasts and monthly e-newsletters, click here.  

 


    

The mission of the Greater Akron Chamber is to drive economic development and prosperity for the people of the Greater Akron Region.

  
Greater Akron Chamber
1 Cascade Plaza, 17th Fl.
Akron, Ohio 44308
www.greaterakronchamber.org