The region's gaming industry has changed dramatically since voters passed Issue 3 in 2009 to permit casinos in Ohio.  Northfield Park, home to harness racing in Summit County, is now Hard Rock Rocksino, that is a destination venue home to video slot terminals, a comedy club, restaurants, harness racing track and a concert hall.

Mark Birtha, President of Hard Rock International, will be providing insights on their economic impact and a behind the scene tour of one of our region's fastest growing industries.

Valet and self-parking is available.  Valet is $3 with a Players Card.  There is no charge to self park.  Guests should enter the Rocksino via the main entrance - facing Northfield Road.  Club Velvet is immediately to the right.

The Morning Buzz program is hosted by the Greater Akron Chamber's Small Business Council for members that are executives and decision-makers to share knowledge on Akron's world-class assets that contribute to our regional prosperity.

Where & When
Club Velvet @ Hard Rock Rocksino at Northfield Park
10777 Northfield Rd.
Northfield, OH  44067-1236
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
7:30 - 8:00 a.m. Networking
8:00 - 9:00 a.m. program
 
Click here to register.

Premier Sponsors are BCG & Company and BCG Systems 
 
Join KNOW for the August quarterly luncheon to hear Jen Groover, a national empowerment and business expert, entrepreneur, author and speaker, present "Empowered to Empower." 

Groover is a national empowerment and business expert, entrepreneur, author and speaker.  She is a highly sought after international speaker.  She is a thought leader in all aspects of human potential impacting even the most diversified crowds. Her message has been heard everywhere from Fortune 500 companies to universities, leadership Conferences and more.

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. For stories that inspire, innovative ideas and practical solutions, plan to be a part of the Greater Akron Chamber's exhilarating program developed exclusively for women.
 
Where & When
Portage Country Club
240 N. Portage Path
Akron, OH  44303
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
11:00 a.m.

For more information or to register, click here.

Supporting Sponsor, Roetzel & Andress.	www.thomarios.com

Sponsored by Tangier and City Cleaners

Are you a beginner at golf? Intermediate? Advanced? It doesn't matter!

Come out and learn, improve, or practice your game of golf.  Golf tips will be given by the Greg Jones Golf Academy, and range balls will be provided.  Enjoy food, a cash bar, and networking.  Feel free to bring your own clubs.  This event is free to YPN members and $15 for non-members.  Only 50 spots available!

Where & When
Golf Improvements Centers
116 Medina Rd.
Medina, OH  44256
Thursday, August 13, 2015
5:30 p.m.

Click here to register.

Tuesday, August 25, 2015
7:30 - 9:00 a.m. 

  

Join the Chamber for Connect After Work, with networking, complimentary appetizers and a cash bar.  Connect with fellow business executives at this free networking event.

Where & When
Akron Zoological Park

500 Edgewood Ave.
Akron, OH  44307

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

To register, click here.  

Thirty Greater Akron Region young professionals have been named the recipients of the ninth annual "30 for the Future" award. 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 a list of this year's recipients.

Join the Chamber as we recognize the award recipients at an awards celebration on Thursday, September 3, 2015.

Where & When
Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED)
4209 State Route 44
Rootstown, OH  44272
Thursday, September 3, 2015
5:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Click here to register.

Sponsorships are available; contact Kim Huff at (330) 237-1253 for more information.

 

Greater Akron Chamber Offers Two Healthcare Plans for Chamber Members
 
The Chamber recently added Medical Mutual to our benefit savings portfolio in addition to SummaCare.  Medical Mutual healthcare plans are built around Medical Mutual's network of doctors and hospitals, the largest provider network in Ohio. That network includes Akron General Medical Center and Summa Health System.

Designed as a private exchange model built around a fully integrated technology platform, this consumer-driven choice tool encourages responsible healthcare spending habits and more involvement in treatment decisions. The plans are available for member companies with 51 to 500 eligible employees.  As an added benefit, Chamber members will receive a 1.4 percent discount on their healthcare premiums. For more information, please contact the Medical Mutual Sales Team at (440) 572-6349.

For over 18 years, SummaCare and the Greater Akron Chamber have partnered to save local businesses over $25 million on health insurance premiums. Those savings are used by companies to grow their bottom line and boost our local economy.

 

SummaCare is pleased to continue to offer Chamber members and the Affiliate Partner Chamber members the maximum allowable discount of 1.4% on their health insurance premiums. We are the only health insurance option offering a discount through the Greater Akron Chamber for employers of 50 or fewer employees.  For more information, contact the SummaCare Sales Team at (800) 996-8818 or call your broker.

The Greater Akron Chamber's Group Rating Program offers savings up to the maximum available discount on your Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) premium.  The Chamber partners with CareWorksComp because they help employers achieve the highest group rating discount possible.  Nearly 30,000 customers choose CareWorksComp to manage their workers' compensation plan.  Click here to download an authorization permitting CareWorksComp to provide you with a NO-COST, NO-OBLIGATION analysis.  To learn more, call CareWorksComp at 1-800-837-3200.

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Workers' Compensation Prospective Premium Payment Transition

As of July 1, 2015 the Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) has transitioned to the new premium payment model where employers' will pay their premium in advance (prospective billing) as opposed to in arrears as has been the case traditionally. There is still quite a bit of confusion as to how the process works.

By now employers have received their Notice of Estimated Annual Premium and installment schedule from the BWC for the July 1, 2015, through June 30, 2016, rate year. Most employers will be invoiced and pay their premiums bi-monthly except those who have elected another payment option. BWC will invoice employers 30 days prior to the due date of each installment. The first premium installment for July/August was credited by BWC; therefore, employers have no premium due for July and August of the 2015 rate year. BWC is scheduled to send invoices for the second installment on August 1. This premium installment is due by August 31, 2015, and is for the months of September and October. 

As part of the prospective billing transition, BWC has also provided a premium transition credit for the second half of the 2014/2015 rate year, from January 1, 2015, through June 30, 2015.  Employers must still complete their payroll reports for this period but no premium is due.  BWC will lapse any employer who does not pay their installment on time. Be aware that lapsed coverage can result in uncovered claims and jeopardize an employer's eligibility for group rating and other BWC programs.

If you have a workers' compensation policy number but report no payroll you must pay BWC $120 annually due by August 31, 2015 in order to maintain your workers' compensation certificate.  If you have further questions, please contact CareWorksComp's Program Manager, Bob Nicoll, toll-free at 1-800-837-3200, ext. 58595 or via -email at robert.nicoll@careworkscomp.com.

 

Membership in the Greater Akron Chamber has its privileges...like savings from other Chamber members! This month's deals include: 
Savings from ACE Products & Consulting, LLC, Akron Racers, Palitto Consulting/Business Communications Specialists, Boggs Chiropractic, Electric Impulse Communications, Everstream, Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park, It's a Breeze Travel, Hawthorn Suites Wyndham Extended Stay in Montrose, House of Plants Florist, Jilly's Music Room, Leanne Cannon, Miracle on Main Street, NOTO Boutique, Pak Computers, PPG Industries, Service Master of Hudson, Unite This City, The Vation Group, Vitality Massage Therapy, WOW 1 DAY PAINTING, and YB12 Coach.

Special savings from Greater Akron Chamber members to Greater Akron Chamber members.  Check out the deals here.  And if you'd like to offer a deal, contact your Greater Akron Chamber representative at (330) 237-1234.      

 

 

Grow Your Business Online!  Join us for the Small Business Summit at the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational.

Web.com, in association with SCORE, America's SBDC (Small Business Development Center), the Greater Akron Chamber and the PGA TOUR, has identified you as a key local business owner to attend the event free of charge. Registration and complimentary refreshments will begin at 9:00 a.m. The Web.com Small Business Summit helps small business owners succeed online by providing free resources and consulting. Attendees will have access to:

• A complimentary Web Boot Camp, covering essential basics for your website, social media presence, and search marketing strategy.
• Free, personalized consulting with Web.com Ambassadors (website, Facebook, search, lead generation).
• A complimentary ticket to the WGC - Bridgestone Invitational
• An opportunity to network with other key local business owners

Where & When
Firestone Country Club
452 Warner Rd.
Akron, OH  44319
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Click here to register.

The 14th Annual Employee of Distinction Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, September 9, 2015, 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!  Do you have an outstanding individual or team that goes above and beyond for your organization?  At no cost, you can nominate that employee or team and publicly recognize their efforts.
 
Deadline for honoree nominations is Friday, August 7, 2015. Nominate your shining stars today!  Click here to download the nomination form.  Click here for more information.

Employee/Customer Appreciation Package Supporting Akron Children's Hospital

Every year, hamburger afficionados converge on Akron, Ohio for a real smorgasbord. The National Hamburger Festival serves as the national celebration of the hamburger. Each year over 20,000 hamburger fans have enjoyed family fun, great entertainment and one of the largest assortments of hamburgers ever assembled in one place. The Food Network filmed the festival for a segment on their hit show "Unwrapped". Local media, including television, radio and print are always on-site for the annual event. The citizens of Ohio have embraced the festival with open arms making the event one of Ohio's favorite food festivals.

The festival is held at historic Lock 3 Park in beautiful downtown Akron. The festival raises money each year for one of Akron's favorite charities, the Akron Children's Hospital. Twenty restaurants will serve up over 50 different styles of burgers to hamburger connoisseurs from northeast Ohio and beyond. Enjoy family fun and entertainment with live music all weekend long. Crazy contests include the Ohio Hamburger Eating Championship, a burger cook-off, Miss Hamburger Pageant, a hamburger challenge between the Akron Fire Department and Akron Police, and even a bobbing for hamburgers contest in a kiddie pool full of ketchup. The festival provides much civic pride for the City of Akron as well as its citizens as they stake claim to the invention of the hamburger. So join us in celebrating Akron's Food Icon while also supporting Akron Children's Hospital.

Your investment helps support Akron Children's Hospital while thanking your customers and/or employees at a minimal cost. Your employees and customers will see that you are supporting an important local event as well as the Hospital. This is also a great way to treat your employees to some end-of-summer fun.  Consider one of the following ticket packages:

Well Done Package - $1,000
* 200 tickets @ $5 each
* Ad in 20,000+ Festival Guides
* Logo and Link on Festival Website
* $200 will be donated to Akron Children's Hospital

Medium Package - $500
* 100 tickets @ $5 each
* Logo and Link on Festival Website
* $100 will be donated to Akron Children's Hospital

Rare Package - $250
* 50 tickets @ $5 each
* $50 will be donated to Akron Children's Hospital

You can customize a package that includes any quantity of admission tickets and donation to the Akron Children's Hospital.  To order tickets, call (716) 565-4141 or e-mail drew@hamburgerfestival.com.
 

 

Co-presented by Crain's and MAGNET, this year's event will provide attendees with an in-depth, street-level view for growing their business. Educational sessions will address ways to increase your competitive advantage in the new face of manufacturing and today's economically challenging times. The 2014 event was a sell-out, and we encourage you to purchase your tickets early.

Join us on September 30th and POWER UP for Manufacturing Month!

Where & When
John S. Knight Center
77 E. Mill St.
Akron, OH  44308
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.  

For more information, click here.

  

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

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The Greater Akron Chamber is the only economic development organization in the State of Ohio   to be accredited by the International Economic Development Council.