events & updates
In This Issue - June 24, 2013
Chamber Events
Coffee, Tea & Contacts
Golf Classic
Senator Frank LaRose
Healthcare Reform Seminar
30 for the Future Awards
Chamber News & Updates
Advertise in the Chamber's Relocation Guide - Reservation Deadline is extended to July 1!
Chamber Benefits
Partner Events

chamber events

Coffee, Tea & Contacts Networking Event
 
Akron General Health & Wellness StackedSponsored by Akron General Health &
Wellness Center - North
  

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 - North 
Conference Center
4125 Medina Rd.
Akron, OH  44333
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
7:30 - 9:00 a.m. 
  

Click here to register.  

 

Greater Akron Chamber's Membership Golf Classic
SummaCare  
Sponsored by SummaCare

 

Join Greater Akron Chamber members, Investors and Board of Directors for a fun day of golf at Prestwick Country Club on Monday, July 15, 2013.
  
2013 golf Click here for more information and to register now! 
  
Sponsorship opportunities are available.  For questions or more information, Chad Hamman at (330) 237-1247.

   

 

Coffee and Conversation with State Senator Frank LaRose

Join us as we hear from State Senator Frank LaRose; he will discuss the recently-signed State Operating Budget as well as take questions from members.

 

Senator LaRose was first elected to the Ohio Senate in 2010 following his enlistment in the United States 101st Airborne.  For the 130th General Assembly, Senator LaRose has been named Chairman of the Public Safety, Local Government & Veterans Affairs Committee and Vice-Chairman of the Public Utilities Committee. In these roles, he will help guide policy discussion covering a wide range of issues affecting Ohio's safety forces, veterans, local governments and public utilities. LaRose was also appointed to the Agriculture Committee, the Transportation Committee, the State Government Oversight & Reform Committee, the Criminal Justice Committee, the budget-writing Finance Committee and the Finance Subcommittee on Medicaid.

 

Where & When

Greater Akron Chamber

1 Cascade Plaza, 17th Fl.

Akron, OH  44308

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

9:00 - 10:00 a.m. 

 

To register for this event, click  here.

 

 

Healthcare Reform Seminar: What Every Employer Needs to Know
                        SummaCare
There is little doubt that every employer will be impacted by healthcare reform, but what exactly does that mean?  Join the Chamber and SummaCare for a special breakfast event where we'll present a panel of industry experts to demystify the issue. Click here to see an event flyer with information on the panel and sponsors of this event.
  
Where & When
Firestone Country Club
452 E. Warner Rd.
Akron, OH  44319
Thursday, July 18, 2013
8:00 - 10:00 a.m.
  
For more information about this event, contact Meredith Baldy at (440) 250-7023 or mbaldy@sbnonline.com.
  
Chamber Announces 30 for the Future Award Recipients - SAVE THE DATE - September 12!
 
30 FTF logo 2011Thirty Greater Akron Region young professionals have been named the recipients of the seventh annual "30 for the Future" award. As 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. Click here to view the list of recipients.

 

2010 Huntington Bank logo The award recipients will be recognized at an awards celebration at the Tangier Banquet & Special Event Center on Thursday, September 12, 2013. The 7th Annual 30 for the Future" awards program is being sponsored by Founding Sponsor, Huntington.

Additional sponsorships are available; contact Angela Presutti at (330) 237-1247 for more information
.

 


chamber news & updates

        

2012-2013 Greater Akron Relocation Guide Published  
 

2012-2013 relo

Ad space deadline has been extended to July 1! 
 

We encourage you to use Experience Greater Akron, the Greater Akron Chamber's 2012-2013 relocation guide for those relocating from around the world or across town, 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 printed copies, call the Chamber at (330) 376-5550. 

 

We are 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 rates!

News from the Akron-Canton Airport

Akron-Canton Airport Southwest Akron-Canton Airport Presents Fast Facts on Southwest

Southwest.com is the only booking portal for Southwest Airlines.  Flights cannot be booked at Travelocity, Expedia, Cheap Tickets, Kayak or any other source.  For more fast facts information, click here.  Click here for a video describing how to board a Southwest flight.  
  

chamber benefits

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 today. 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.

  

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.  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.

  
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. 
 
To discuss your unique savings situation or receive a new copy of your retro quote, please call CCI's knowledgeable sales assistants at 1-800-837-3200.
 

 
Summer is Hear!  Are you Ready?Chamber Energy Solutions
 
With Summer comes increased electric usage.  Let CES save you money on the generation portion of your bill.
 
CES is administered by Palmer Energy, a Toledo-based independent energy consultant.  With over 4,000 meters currently enrolled, CES negotiates with suppliers a fixed competitive rate for businesses.
 
Contact Debbie Richmond at (33) 237-1228 or richmond@greaterakronchamber.org  for more information.
  

 
Ohio BWC logo BWC 2013 Rebate Information 
  • A one-time 56% rebate of the 2011 policy year (7/1/11-6/30/12) billed premium is being given to eligible employers. The BWC has indicated that these rebate checks will be sent to employers at the end of June or early July. The exception to that is if your company participated in a group retrospective rating program in the 2011 policy year. If this is the case, the BWC will calculate and issue your rebate after the first group retro premium refund/assessment in the fall of this year.
  • The eligibility for the rebate was determined on 5/31/13. Anything that has transpired with your business(es) since then, such as invoices, appeals, audits, etc., was not taken into consideration when your rebate was calculated.
  • All state funded employers are eligible to receive the rebate if they paid premium to BWC during the 7/1/11 - 6/30/12 policy period and were in active, reinstated, combined, or debtor-in-possession status effective 4/1/13 when BWC took the snapshot on 5/31/13. (For Public employers the policy period is 1/1/11-12/31/11).
  • If your business was involved in a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) relationship in the 2011 policy period, the PEO is responsible for paying its clients a pro-rated share of the rebate. The BWC will be informing any PEO clients that a rebate has been issued to their PEO.
  • If your business has a non-pending, outstanding balance with BWC, your rebate will be calculated less the balance owed. This includes any liability from a predecessor entity from an experience transfer. If the outstanding balance is more than the rebate, BWC will adjust the amount owed accordingly and send a new invoice with the reduced amount.
  • BWC will send 1099 forms to all employers who receive a rebate in excess of $600, and the rebate may be taxable. This should be reviewed by your tax professional. 
  
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
 
July Akron Roundtable
  
Founded by the Akron Beacon Journal, Greater Akron Chamber and Kiwanis Club of Akron
 

Join us for the next Akron Roundtable speaker,

Terry Bowden, Head Football Coach, The University of Akron.  His presentation topic is: "Will YOU Take Responsibility?" 

 

Where & When

Quaker Square Inn at The University of Akron

135 S. Broadway St.

Akron, OH  44308

Thursday, July 18, 2013

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

 

Click here for ticket ordering information! 

 

 

Seeking Employee of Distinction Luncheon Award Nominations
 
Goodwill Shining Star logoThe 12th Annual Employee of Distinction Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, September 4, 2013, at 11:30 a.m. at Guy's Party Centre in Akron.  What a terrific and cost effective way to recognize your shining star employees and show them how important they are to your success! 

 

It's time to look around your workplace to recognize those individuals who go above and beyond the call of duty for your business! All nominees will receive two free tickets to a performance at Akron's historic Civic Theater.  Five nominees will be selected for additional recognition and will be given a special gift from Shulan's Jewelers.   

 

Submit a nomination by July 15, and receive a FREE business card-sized ad in the program and be entered in a drawing to win a membership to the Greater Akron Chamber. 

 

Click here for more information. Nomination deadline is Wednesday, July 31!

 

World Golf Championships - Bridgestone Invitational
 
Bridgestone InvitationalYou're Invited to Come See the Best Players on the Globe.
July 31 - August 4, 2013 - Firestone Country Club - Akron, Ohio

With summer upon us, the World Golf Championships - Bridgestone Invitational is right around the corner.  This year's tournament dates at Firestone Country Club are July 31 through August 4.  As a Greater Akron supporter, you receive access to two special ticket offers below:

VIP Ticket Packages with Firestone Golf Opportunity
Firestone Clubhouse badge and 16th hole Championship Club tickets provide a great way to entertain clients and say thank you to employees.  Package range from $495 to $2,600 and come with an opportunity to play golf on Firestone's North or West course next spring.   Details are in the attachment.   To purchase, click here or contact Mark Barchony at (330) 245-2304 or markbarchony@pgatourhq.com.


Buy One Get One Free, Good Any One Day Tickets - Save $40
Buy in advance and attend on the day or your choice.  Save $40 with this BOGO offer.  Kids 18 & under are free with a ticketed adult.
Visit www.bridgestoneinvitational.com/offers and enter code GOLF.

Last year, the Bridgestone Invitational gave back over $1 million to local charities and created more that $21 million in economic activity for the region.  Thank you for your consideration to support the event.

 

Summit of Sustainability Awards (SOSA) Program
 
Sustainability logoCalling on Local Companies to Compete

Get bragging rights!  The City of Akron, Summit County, the Greater Akron Chamber, Keep Akron Beautiful/Greenprint for Akron and a host of sustainability sponsors want to recognize your Akron/Summit County organization for your efforts to institute more sustainable practices...or give you information and ideas on beginning a sustainability plan by sharing best practices.

In the Summit of Sustainability Awards' inaugural year (2012), three winning and over 20 emerging organizations that applied shared great examples of how they are making sustainability part of their everyday activities for people, planet and prosperity.  Click here for more information on SOSA. 

 

Entries for the SOSA are due Monday, September 1, 2013. Companies seeking to apply must be located within Summit County. Applications and more information are online at www.SummitOfSustainability.org.   

  

Save the date for the SOSA Breakfast:  October 24, 2013. 

 

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