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Coffee, Tea & Contacts Networking Event
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 Sponsored by ACME Fresh Markets
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 each other'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.
 Where & WhenACME Fresh Markets
Akron, OH 44333
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
7:30 - 9:00 a.m. Click here to register. |
#LUVCAK Bash
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 Join us on April 24 for the #LUVCAK Bash, the culmination of our three-month-long grassroots effort.
Come mix with business connections old and new as the Chamber joins forces with our campaign partners: Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, Akron/Summit CVB, Canton/Stark CVB, Stark Development Board, The Repository, and of course the Akron-Canton Airport.
While this marks the end of the #LUVCAK campaign, Southwest flights are just now taking off at CAK! And we think their low fares and non-stops are also reason to celebrate.
When you come to the #LUVCAK Bash, get ready to enjoy hors d'oeuvres, music from Thompson Entertainment, live entertainment and a cash bar. Click here to register now.
#LUVCAK Recap:
In early February, we partnered with regional partners to bring awareness to Southwest Airlines and their award winning travel program, Rapid Rewards. In the beginning, you may have wondered why the #LUVCAK campaign was important, but now you know that low fares are good for business and that Akron-Canton Airport has maintained the lowest average airfare in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Indiana for more than a decade.
Signing up for Southwest Rapid Rewards is free and allows you to earn points for every dollar you spend. And remember: you can only book your flights on Southwest at www.Southwest.com.
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Spring Into Summer Business Expo
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 Showcase your company at the best business expo in the Greater Akron area. Be an exhibitor for just $149! Be a sponsor for just $299. There are only a few exhibitor spaces available - register TODAY! Where & When Summit Mall 3265 W. Market St. Fairlawn, OH 44333 Saturday, May 10, 2014 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, KNOW and The Medina County Women's Journal.
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2014 Excellence in Business Awards
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 Join us as we honor the accomplishments of local businesses with 2014 Excellence in Business Awards. This award recognizes a business that consistently demonstrated outstanding performance, growth, staying power, innovation and proven leadership in the community. The Chamber is excited to announce the following companies have been named as 2014 Excellence in Business Award recipients:- EnviroScience, Inc.
- Nagy's Collision Specialists
- Sequoia Financial Group
For the second year, one business was named as the 2014 Emerging Business Award recipient - Metis Construction Services.
In addition to honoring local businesses, this year's event will include keynote speaker, Mark Krohn, Equity Partner, Brennan, Mann & Diamond, LLC.
Corporate tables of eight (8) are available for $250. The price includes table signage, recognition in the event program and MS-PowerPoint presentation.
Where & When
Sheraton Suites Akron/Cuyahoga Falls
1989 Front St.
Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221
Thursday, May 29, 2014
7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Click here for more information and to register.
Premier Sponsors: Apple Growth Partners, Day Ketterer, and Westfield Bank.
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Greater Akron Chamber's Membership Golf Classic
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Sponsored by SummaCare
Join Greater Akron Chamber members, Investors and Board of Directors for a fun day of golf at Fairlawn Country Club on Monday, July 14, 2014.
Registration will be available soon. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For questions or more information, call Sarah Vojtek at (330) 237-1254. |
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Chamber Celebrates 107th Annual Meeting
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 An attendance of 950 gathered at the Chamber's Annual Meeting on March 20 at the John S. Knight Center to watch the inauguration of Jeff Walters, Managing Director for CBIZ Mayer Hoffman McCann, as the new Executive Committee Chair and recognize Dr. Luis M. Proenza, President of The University of Akron, as the recipient of the H. Peter Burg Award. Click here to view the video honoring Dr. Proenza. As part of the evening's program, outgoing Chair, Charles E. Jones, Jr., Executive Vice President and President, FirstEnergy Utilities, recognized companies for their investment in the Chamber. Vice Chair, Chamber Services, S. Theresa Carter, led the election of the board of directors. (To view a list of the newly elected board members as well the full list of officers and board members for 2014, click here.) Greater Akron Chamber President and CEO Dan Colantone described 2013 accomplishments for the Chamber, including 14 companies investing nearly $124 million, creating 701 new jobs and retaining 1,201 existing jobs. The Chamber also shared the "This Is Now" video by Kleidon and Associates where people in Summit, Medina and Portage Counties were asked what they love about Greater Akron. Check it out and let us know what you love about the region.
The Chamber thanks all of you who joined us, our premier sponsors and the many others involved with sponsorships and donations that helped make this event so successful.
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Experience Tuscany & the Italian Riviera with the Chamber
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Tour Italy and all of its splendor with the Greater Akron Chamber!
November 3-10, 2014
This 8-Day Tour Includes Round-Trip Airfare 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. There will be an informational pre-tour briefing at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, May 5, 2014, at the Akron-Summit County Public Library, 60 S. High St., Akron, Ohio 44326. RSVP your attendance to (330) 376-5550. For more information on trip specifics, contact:
Maria Edwards
AAA Travel Agency
(330) 762-0631
* Price already reflects "Book Now" savings. Book Now rates valid until May 5, 2014.
** All rates are per person and subject to change.
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| Leadership Akron Now Accepting Applications for 2014-2015 |
 Leadership Akron is now accepting applications for their 2014-2015 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 Wednesday, April 30, 2014.
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Advertise in the 2014-2015 Greater Akron Relocation Guide
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Click on the picture above to view the online 2013-2014 guide. For copies, call the Chamber at (330) 376-5550.
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Experience Greater Akron is the Greater Akron Chamber's ultimate guide to living, working and playing in Summit, Portage and Medina counties. It showcases the best of the region - the vitality of its people and the unparalleled quality of life: business climate, education, medical community, arts and parks, and neighborhoods. Our print and online magazine makes a newcomer's move as informed and stress-free as possible with authoritative sources, useful articles and must-have contact information, and instills Greater Akron's current residents' pride. Click here for advertising rates. Early Bird Deadline Extended! Reserve Your Space by April 30 for Special Rates.
New for 2014! Experience Greater Akron now has a new social media component that will engage your target audience all year. We will also be promoting your business on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Pinterest.
Visit the Experience Greater Akron Facebook Page!
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Chamber Partners to Support Southwest Airlines®
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Soon your favorite CAK flights will be online ONLY at Southwest.com.
Mark your calendars because June 8 will be a day to remember! Why? Because your favorite flights from Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) to New York, Boston, Orlando and Denver will ONLY be available online at Southwest.com. Love low fares? Then love Southwest at Akron-Canton Airport.
Will you find your low fare aboard Southwest on Expedia? No. Travelocity or Kayak? No. Only online at Southwest.com, nowhere else. All of your favorite CAK flights are available at Southwest.com right now. Plus, bags fly free aboard Southwest Airlines (size and weight restrictions apply).
Keep airfares low in our community at at our airport by checking CAK on Southwest.com every time you fly. And show your #LUVCAK today by signing up for Rapid Rewards® at www.LUVCAK.com.
Are you spreading the #LUVCAK? There is still plenty of time to enroll and win.
- Fly to www.LUVCAK.com and sign up for Rapid Rewards®. It's that easy.
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What's in it for you? Lots! You could win a $100 Southwest travel voucher just for signing up for Rapid Rewards®. We will select five winners every week for 12 weeks, sixty winners in all. And what's more, one lucky winner will get four roundtrip tickets aboard Southwest (to any city they fly to in the U.S.)!
- Share the #LUVCAK by tweeting and posting on Facebook and any of your social networks that you are feeling the LUV!
- Already a Rapid Rewards® member? E-mail info@akroncantonairport.com with your rewards number, full name, DOB, e-mail address and mailing address. Once confirmed, you will automatically be entered to win.
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Summit of Sustainability Awards (SOSA) Program - Apply Now!
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 SOSA are Designed to Get Your Organization Started on a Sustainability Plan or to Reward Existing One
This is the third year for the county-wide awards program that showcases the best examples of commercial energy efficiency, waste reduction, water conservation and green purchasing. When the five winners were announced at the awards breakfast last October, SOSA partners pledged to share the sustainable practices that are helping our community save energy and money, create more transportation choices, preserve clean air and bring economic prosperity through the process. Click here to view last year's five winners' sustainable practices videos which were part of their prize for being selected in their category.
The categories are: Small Companies under 25 employees, Medium Companies with 26-249 employees, Large Companies with over 250 employees, Nonprofit/Community Organizations and Public Sector (Government/Schools). In addition to these categories, the judges have reserved the right to award a Summit of Sustainability Award medal to individuals or projects that are innovative within the submitted applications. Click here to start you organization's Survey Monkey application. Questions? Call Cindy Pantea at Keep Akron Beautiful at (330) 375-2116. All applications must be completed by Friday, July 25, 2014. Save the date for the SOSA Breakfast: October 23, 2014. |
NEOTEC's Global Trade Group Announces New International Counseling Program
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 Global Trade Group has created a new International Counseling Program to provide export assistance to companies that are looking to implement international orders and stay compliant with export regulations and classifications. The program offers affordable counseling services by experienced international specialists to address any international trade topic.
With the addition of this program, Global Trade Group now serves area companies at any stage of their global trade operations. The new program complements Global Trade Group's Dedicated Executive Program, which provides long-term, in-depth global trade support to companies that are already focused on expanding into international markets, but lack the resources and personnel.
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Achieve Significant Savings on Your Health Plan Coverage!
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That's how much the Greater Akron Chamber Alliance saved local businesses on their health insurance premiums in 2013. Since partnership with SummaCare in 1997, we've saved local business over $25 million.
If you're a member and you're not taking advantage of these savings, contact your broker or visit www.GACsave.com.
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Greater Akron Chamber Partners with Constant Contact® to Help You Grow Your Business with E-mail Marketing
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 Use 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.
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Membership Has Its Benefits!
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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.
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Ohio Employee Ownership Center's 28th Annual Conference
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This annual event brings together employee owners, both management and shop floor workers, to learn how to improve the performances of their companies. This year's conference theme is "A Wealth of Opportunity: Employee Ownership Fuels Growth."
Highlights will include keynote speeches from representatives of two highly-recognizable ESOP companies: Karl Warnke of Davey Tree Expert Company and Jordana Barrack of New Belgium Brewing Company.
 You can find registration forms, the full conference agenda and pre-conference activities on www.oeockent.org. Registration is $150 per person or $195 at the door and includes a continental breakfast, plated lunch, coffee break and closing reception.
If you have any questions regarding the conference, please contact Chris Cooper at (330) 672-0338 or ccooper1@kent.edu or Kelley Fitts at kfitts@kent.edu or (330) 672-0336.
Where & When
Hilton Akron/Fairlawn
3180 W. Market St.
Akron, OH 44333
Thursday, April 24, 2014
8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m
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Heart to Heart Communications 21st Annual Greater Akron Speaks Out for Values Breakfast
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 Join Heart to Heart Communications for the 21st Annual Greater Akron Speaks Out for Values Breakfast featuring keynote speaker Dan Flowers, President & CEO of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.
Where & When
John S. Knight Center
77 E. Mill St.
Akron, OH 44308
Monday, April 28, 2014
6:45 a.m. Doors Open
6:45 - 7:15 a.m. Breakfast Buffet
7:15 - 8:45 a.m. Breakfast Program
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May Akron Roundtable
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 Founded by the Akron Beacon Journal, Greater Akron Chamber and Kiwanis Club of Akron
Join us for the next Akron Roundtable when Roderick M. McNealy, Principal, McNealy Advanced Communications, will present "Get on the Band Wagon."
Where & When
Quaker Square Inn at The University of Akron
135 S. Broadway St.
Akron, OH 44308
Thursday, May 15, 2014
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Click here for ticket ordering information!
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Akron Autism 5k and Walk - June 14, 2014
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 Let's Face Autism Together!
The Autism Society of Greater Akron is holding its fourth annual 5k run and walk on June 14th at Lock 3. Lace it. Race it. Face it., Let's Face Autism Together, attracted more than 2,200 people last year to support the fastest growing developmental disability. New government statistics show that one in 68 children has a diagnosis of autism, up 30 percent since 2012. The Autism Society of Greater Akron is part of a network that forms the nation's leading grassroots autism organization and provides services and supports for local families living the autism journey. All money raised here stays here in the Greater Akron area, to serve Summit, Stark, Portage, Wayne and Medina counties.
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Missed an E-blast?
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To view the Greater Akron Chamber's archived e-blasts and 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.
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