events & updates
In This Issue - January 14, 2014
Chamber Events
KNOW Luncheon - Registration closes at 4:00 p.m. today!
Coffee, Tea & Contacts
Annual Meeting
Chamber News & Updates
Relo Guides are Here
Chamber Trips are Back
Chamber Partners with Constant Contact
Chamber Introduces New Benefits
Article Headline
Article Headline

chamber events

Knowledgeable Network of Women (KNOW) Luncheon
 

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

  

Join us for the next quarterly luncheon when E. L. "Betsy" Smith, Ph.D. presents, "Power Plays for Women: Get What You Want, Need and Deserve."  


According to the US Bureau of Labor:
  • Projections show that of the 10 fastest growing occupations between the 2004-14 period, women already comprise the majority in 7 of these occupations. This fact suggests that women will continue to find jobs in growth occupations.
  • 2013 Chesser Women comprised 46.8 percent of the total U.S. labor force and are projected to account for 46.9 percent of the labor force in 2018.
  • Women are projected to account for 51.2 percent of the increase in total labor force growth between 2008 and 2018.
  • The largest percentage of employed women (41 percent) worked in management, professional, and related occupations; 32 percent worked in sales and office occupations; 21 percent in service occupations; 5 percent in production, transportation, and material moving occupations; and 1 percent in natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations.
Women are making historical progress in the work world and yet they do not acknowledge or exercise their power. Even high level professional women struggle with overcoming adversity, leadership, flexibility/balance, mentoring, negotiation skills and authenticity. In this interactive presentation, Dr. Smith will cover strategies to address these challenges for professional women.   

Where & When 
Portage Country Club
240 N. Portage Path
Akron, OH  44303
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Click here to register.* 
Hurry! Registration closes at 4:00 p.m. today!

KNOW is a personal and professional development program for business women in the Greater Akron Region. Our mission is to cultivate the talent within each other by reaching out to today's women executives and tomorrow's leaders.   

  

*If paying by VIP Pass, please make arrangements with the Chamber by e-mailing vojtek@greaterakronchamber.org.

 
 
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.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
7:30 - 9:00 a.m. 
  

Click here to register.  

 

Greater Akron Chamber's 107th Annual Meeting - Save the Date March 20, 2014

The Greater Akron Chamber celebrates its 107th Annual Meeting on Thursday, March 20, 2014, at the John S. Knight Center. At the event, Dr. Luis M. Proenza, president of The University of Akron, will be honored as the tenth recipient of the H. Peter Burg Award.

 

Posthumously awarded to Pete Burg in 2004, the H. Peter Burg Award recognizes an individual who has displayed paramount leadership for the advancement of Greater Akron's economic and community development. Recent recipients of the award include Mayor Don Plusquellic, Steve Marks and Joseph Kanfer.  This annual meeting will feature an overview of the Chamber's accomplishments for the year and the installation of officers along with the new chairman of the board. We will also recognize the outstanding work accomplished by our board members and the business leaders of the Greater Akron region.

 

The program includes a reception with hors d'oeuvres, dinner, silent auction and entertainment.

 
 
2014 Greater Akron Chamber Events

Meet area business people, gain new leads and strengthen relationships through the Chamber's networking events. 

Mark sure to mark your 2014 calendars with two of the Chamber's premier networking events:


Excellence in Business Awards - Thursday, May 29
Sheraton Cuyahoga Falls/Akron

 

Membership Golf Classic - Monday, July 14

Fairlawn Country Club

 

 


chamber news & updates

        

Nominations Sought for 2014 Excellence in Business Awards
 
The Greater Akron Chamber is accepting nominations for our 2014 Excellence In Business Award.  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.  The deadline for nominations is Friday, January 31, 2014.

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.
  
2013-2014 Greater Akron Relocation Guide Published
 

We are pleased to present Experience Greater Akron, the Greater Akron Chamber's 2013-2014 Relocation Guide for those relocating from around the world or across town. We encourage you to use this guide as a resource 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, "111 Reasons We Love Greater Akron," an informative and fun read about what makes the region famous.  

 

To view the "clickable" version of either magazine, click on the picture to the right.  For copies, call the Chamber at (330) 376-5550. 

 

Chamber Trips Have Returned. Give the Gift of Travel This Holiday Season!

Discover Canyon Country with the Greater Akron Chamber!
June 12-20, 2014

This 9-Day Tour Includes Round-Trip Air from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and 12 meals (7 breakfasts and 5 dinners).   

 

Highlights...Scottsdale, Oak Creek Canyon, Kaibab National Forest, Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Monument Valley, Bryce Canyon National Park,  

Zion National Park, Las Vegas

 

$2,729* per person (double occupancy)**

Book Now and Save $100 per person!

Click here for a brochure.

 

Tour Italy and all of its splendor with the Greater Akron Chamber!

November 3-10, 2014

This 8-Day Tour Includes Round-Trip Air from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and 10 meals (6 breakfasts and 4 dinners).   

 

Highlights...Tuscan Estate, Tuscan Winery, Florence, Uffizi Gallery, Siena, Monteriggioni, Lucca, Pisa, Italian Riviera, Cinque Terre, Portofino and More!

 

$3,199* per person (double occupancy)**

 Book Now and Save $250 per person!

Click here for a brochure.

 

For more information, contact:

 

Maria Edwards

AAA Travel Agency

(330) 762-0631

medwards@akron.aaa.com

 

* Prices already reflect "Book Now" savings.

** All rates are per person and subject to change. 

 

News from the Akron-Canton Airport

Akron-Canton Airport Southwest Akron-Canton Airport Presents Bags Fly for Free 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 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!

 

SummaCare As a Greater Akron Chamber member, you have access to discounts today that could delay the impact of health care reform on your 2014 health insurance premiums. There's never been a better time to get a quote and learn what options your company has and when you need to act.

 

SummaCare offers several advantages, including:

  • Eligibility for businesses in Summit, Portage, Medina, Cuyahoga, Stark, Wayne and Geauga counties.
  • No limitation in company size. Companies with 1 to 10,000 employees are eligible.
  • Standard and tailored PPO plan designs available.
  • Two network plans let you pick the right one for your company.
  • Special Chamber rates and discounts

Consider getting a quote on health insurance from SummaCare. Contact your broker, or go to GACsave.com to get started.

 

Greater Akron Chamber Partners with Constant Contact® to Help You Grow Your Business with E-mail Marketing
 

Constant ContactUse the leading e-mail 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 e-mail 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®, e-mail 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 e-mail 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 e-mail to chamberprogram@constantcontact.com with your user name telling them you are a member of the Greater Akron Chamber.

  
Check Out the Chamber's 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 Workers' Compensation. Companies who want to participate can find out more can contact Debbie Richmond, Manager, Benefits & Administration, at the Greater Akron Chamber at (330) 237-1228.


 
 

Last Chance to Apply for the 2014 Workers' Compensation Group Rating Program   

 

CareWorks (CCI) The 2014 Group Rating enrollment deadline is quickly approaching. The last day that applications (AC-3s) will be accepted is January 31. If you have not already applied, we ask that you take a look at your potential premium savings through the Greater Akron Chamber's Workers' Compensation Program that is administered by our partner, CareWorks Consultants, Inc. (CCI).  Our Workers' Compensation Program was created to help our members maximize their workers' compensation premium savings and to provide them with quality claims management services. Consider these points about our program:  

  • Qualifying group members can take advantage of rate discounts as high as 53% in our Traditional Group Rating Programs and projected premium refunds of over 60% through our Retrospective Group Programs.
  • CCI is there to help you with unemployment program consulting services which are included in our program.
  • CCI provides peace of mind through their comprehensive claims management, hearing representation and rating analysis services.
  • Safety training classes are available to help participants meet BWC requirements.  
  • CCI will help you determine the additional discounts and rebates that you might be eligible for through Destination Excellence and other BWC Alternative Rating Programs.

To request a free, no obligation analysis of your best savings options please take a moment and contact CCI's Program Manager, Bob Nicoll, at (800) 837-3200 ext. 8595 or e-mail him at robert.nicoll@ccitpa.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
January Akron Roundtable
  
Founded by the Akron Beacon Journal, Greater Akron Chamber and Kiwanis Club of Akron
 

Join us for the next Akron Roundtable when Ohio Senator Frank LaRose and former Ohio State Representative Ted Celeste, Founder, Next Generation, will speak on "Building Trust Through Civil Discourse."     

 

Where & When

Quaker Square Inn at The University of Akron

135 S. Broadway St.

Akron, OH  44308

Thursday, January 16, 2014

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

 

Click here for ticket ordering information! 

 

 

11th Annual Day of Reading
 
This City ReadsRead 30 minutes total, anywhere, anything, anytime!

Friends of This City Reads! 
It is that time again. Time to celebrate reading with the 11th Annual Day of Reading!  It is hard to believe that for the past 10 years, we have been proudly declaring Akron/Summit County the "Reading Capital of the World!" Join This City Reads! on Wednesday, February 12, 2014!

 

If we all find one new reader who will add their name to the list, we will reach our 100,000 goal.  Did every employee get a chance to promise?  How about every parent?  Every friend and neighbor?  The database is open and accepting promise registrations - click here to sign up!

 

Please pass the word!  We welcome any readers who have any connection with Akron and Summit County. Invite family members who live out of town, snowbirds who are in the sunny south and neighbors who have moved away.


When every child READS...a community SUCCEEDS!

  


 

7th Annual Reading Festival is Saturday, February 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 

Enjoy a fun-filled day of music, story, activities, special guests and free books and be entertained from performances by children's musician Jim Gill and storyteller extraordinaire Robin Echols Cooper.  New this year -- The Steel Angels Steel Drum Band.  Call (330) 643-9185 for details.  

 

 

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