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| Summit of Sustainability Series: Sustainable Grant Workshop | 
In 2012, the Greater Akron Chamber along with the City of Akron, County of Summit, Keep Akron Beautiful, and ReWorks created the Summit of Sustainability Awards. The goal of the Summit of Sustainability Awards was to recognize local organizations that have successfully implemented sustainability practices. In 2016, a series of educational sessions will be offered throughout the year. Waste Management, Akron Recycling in Partnership with SOSA, is proud to sponsor a sustainability lecture on government sponsored grants. James A. Skora will be speaking to the key aspects of the environmental grants available to help fund sustainability efforts for small, large non-profit and for profit organizations. As a Senior Manager, with the Summit County based firm GT Environmental Jim has years of grant writing experience.
Where & WhenWaste Management 1534 Exeter Rd. Akron, OH 44306 Friday, August 26, 2016 8:30 - 11:00 a.m. Click here to register. |
| YPN Leadership Luncheon | 
Bill Considine, President & CEO of Akron Children's Hospital, and Cathryn O'Malley, Administrative Director for Organizational Effectiveness and Transformation, will discuss mentoring and provide advice on finding a career coach or career champion.
Attendees will learn about the Children's Hospital leadership academy, a 12-month MBA-style program offered by the hospital's organizational effectiveness team to develop leadership skills in employees. Considine will also talk about how he mentors fellows in the Roger J. Sherman Administrative Fellowship, a year-long opportunity for individuals with an interest in healthcare administration to gain experience in leadership and executive-level decision-making.
Where & When
Mustard See Cafe - Highland Square
867 W. Market St.
Akron, OH 44303
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Cost: $15 YPN members; $25 Non YPN members
Click here to register. |
| Lunch & Learn: How to Comply with the New Overtime Exemption Rules |
Rescheduled to September 1!
Due to an overwhelming demand and importance of this topic, we will be hosting another Lunch & Learn to discuss the changes to the overtime rules.
Do you know that overtime rules are changing? If you have exempt employees being paid less than $913 a week ($47,476 annually), the newly released overtime exemption rules will affect you. The new rules will be effective as of December 1, 2016, and will mean that all salaried employees - regardless of their professional, managerial or administrative responsibilities - must be paid at least $47,476 annually or the equivalent to $22.83 per hour, or they will be entitled to overtime. If that prospect seems daunting to your budget for salaried personnel, learn more about the new rules and how to minimize their impact on your workplace with Attorney Karen C. Lefton of The Lefton Group, LLC. Where & WhenHilton Garden Inn Akron 1307 E. Market St. Akron, OH 44305 Thursday, September 1, 2016 11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Cost: $25 per person Click here to register.
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| KNOW (Knowledgeable Network of Women) Empowering Women Luncheon |
 Join KNOW for the next luncheon to hear Abigail Pringle, Chief Development Officer, The Wendy's Company, present. Additional information will be forthcoming. 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. Where & WhenPortage Country Club 240 N. Portage Path Akron, OH 44303 Thursday, September 22, 2016
11:00 a.m. For more information or to register, click here. |
Republican Candidate Luncheon
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 Join the chamber for an opportunity to hear from Republicans running for federal, statewide, state legislative and county office this November. This is an exclusive opportunity for Greater Akron Chamber members only. Where & When Roetzel & Andress 4th Floor Multi-Purpose Room 222 S. Main St Akron, OH 44308 Friday, September 23, 2016 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Cost: $15 (includes lunch) Click here to register.
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Chamber Announces 30 for the Future Award Recipients for 2016
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 Thirty-one Greater Akron Region young professionals have been named the recipients of the tenth 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 29, 2016. When & WhereE.J. Thomas Hall 198 Hill St. Akron, OH 44325 Thursday, September 29, 2016 5:30 p.m. Click here to register. Platinum Sponsor:
Gold Sponsor:
Silver Sponsors:
Sponsorships are still available; contact Kurt Leibensperger at (330) 237-1234 for more information.
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Democratic Candidate Luncheon
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 Join the chamber for an opportunity to hear from Democrats running for federal, statewide, state legislative and county office this November. This is an exclusive opportunity for Greater Akron Chamber Members only. Where & When Roetzel & Andress 4th Floor Multi-Purpose Room 222 S. Main St Akron, OH 44308 Friday, September 30, 2016 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Cost: $15 (includes lunch) Click here to register. |
Book Your Chamber Trips Now!
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Greater Akron Chamber presents Tropical Costa Rica...
February 2-10, 2017
...with Optional 3-Night Jungle Adventure Post-Tour Extension!
$2,799* per person (double occupancy)
This 9-Day Tour Includes Round-Trip Air and 13 meals (8 breakfasts and 5 dinners).
Highlights...San Jose, Coffee Plantation, Guanacaste, Monteverde Cloud Forest, Hanging Bridges, Arenal Volcano, Lake Arenal Cruise, Cooking Demonstration, Cano Negro Refuge, Zarcero, National Theatre, and More!
Click here to view a brochure. For more information, contact: Maria Edwards AAA Travel Agency (330) 762-0631 medwards@akron.aaa.comNext trips up are Pacific NW & California - June 18-25, 2017, and Reflections of Italy - September 6-15, 2017!
*All rates are per person and subject to change.
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Receive Discounts on Your Health Plan Coverage!
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 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. |
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Save Money with the Chamber's Workers' Compensation Group Rating Plan
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 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.
News from CareWorksAs you already know, the first-ever payroll true-up period for private employers has begun and payroll true-up reports were due to BWC no later than August 15, 2016.
GOOD NEWS! The Ohio BWC has provided a grace period for businesses that did not meet the August 15th deadline. Businesses will now have until Thursday, September 29, 2016, to complete the true-up.
Our records indicate there are still a significant number of businesses that have yet to complete the new payroll true-up process. It is important that you complete this process by the September 29th deadline. Not completing this process can be very costly to your business and include: - Removal from current discount programs such as group rating, group retrospective rating, one claim program;
- Denial from enrollment in future discount programs;
- Ineligibility for refunds due from prior year programs
The process can be started by going to http://www.bwc.ohio.gov and log on with your user ID and password. If you don't have one, you will need to create one by simply following the directions located near the top right-hand corner of the BWC's home page. BWC has put together a short video demonstrating how to complete your payroll true-up. To view the video, click here.
If your company uses a payroll company or vendor, you will need to contact them immediately to verify that they are completing this task for you. If you cannot complete the process online, you can call BWC directly at 1-800-644-6292 and ask for a BWC representative. You will need to call as soon as possible as wait times may be long.
Safety Innovation Awards Now Open! Apply by September 30 The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation is accepting applications from Ohio employers for the 2017 Safety Innovation Awards. Innovations must demonstrate reduction in safety or ergonomic risk factors, or occupational health exposures. Cash awards up to $6,000. Apply by September 30, 2016. Eligibility requirements and application instructions are available at www.bwc.ohio.gov. Click on Safety Services, then Safety Innovation Awards. |
Membership Has Its Benefits!
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Our members are making headlines. Got news? Building business relationships in the community? If your company has news to share or is holding an event that's open to the general public, and you'd like to get the word out, submit your News & Events here.
Click here to check out the latest news and events submitted by our member companies! Please patronize our chamber members. The Greater Akron Chamber thanks you for helping us support the region's business community.
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Member MarketPlace
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 Connect to exclusive savings on services provided by Greater Akron Chamber Members for Chamber Members! Chamber members can save on business services, health services, cleaning, travel, entertainment, restaurants, and more in The MarketPlace.
Click here to see the deals.
To find out how you can offer a discount or service to Chamber members, contact your Chamber representative at (330) 237-1234.
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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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Step Up for Stand Down!
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Please join County Executive Ilene Shapiro, Councilwoman Liz Walters, FirstEnergy Foundation, the Greater Akron Chamber, and the Laura Williams Dunlop Memorial Stand Down for Homeless and Displaced Veterans of Summit County, Ohio in a new partnership, Step Up for Stand Down!
Why Step Up for Stand Down?
Stand Down is a full day of community and grassroots intervention that assists our homeless and displaced Veterans in preparing for the winter months by supplying them with warm clothing, sleeping bags, gloves, hats and shoes. The Veterans also receive medical testing, legal counseling and food cards. There will be counselors available to work with Veterans on earned benefits and available services.
In the past, the United States Department of Defense has supplied The Laura Williams Dunlop Memorial Stand Down for Homeless and Displaced Veterans of Summit County with surplus items. This year, a three-day fie destroyed a New Jersey warehouse that housed the Department of Defense's donations that were being sent to assist local agencies such as Stand Down. Now Stand Down needs as much local help as they can get.
The Laura Williams Dunlop Memorial Stand Down for Homeless and Displaced Veterans of Summit County will be held on Tuesday, September 13, 2016, from 8:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the Firestone VFW Post 3383, located at 690 Waterloo Rd. in Akron.
Please help our Veterans - Donate at the link below, and thank you!
www.gofundme.com/summitstanddown
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Annual Diversity Career Fair
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 The Akron Urban League would like to invite your company to attend our Annual Diversity Career Fair, co-sponsored by the Greater Akron Chamber. This event is a great opportunity for your company to promote career opportunities to a diverse pool of job seekers. Through our partnership with the Greater Akron Chamber, we are anticipating a large pool of well-qualified job seekers and an increased selection of employers. The Annual Diversity Career Fair will be highly publicized via radio, print and other media coverage. To participate in the Akron Urban League's Annual Diversity Career Fair, co-sponsored by the Greater Akron Chamber, please complete and return the registration form to careerfair@akronurbanleague.org. A prompt response will ensure your booth reservation and maximum publicity of your participation. If you have any questions, please call LaMon Harris at (234) 542-4157. We look forward to your participation at the career fair!
Where & When
Akron Urban League
President's Hall
440 Vernon Odom Blvd.
Akron, OH 44307
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
3:00 - 6:00 p.m.
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September's 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 Theaster Gates, Artist and Founder & Artistic Director, Rebuild Foundation, presents "Importance of an Artist as an Entrepreneur."
Where & When
The University of Akron
Quaker Square Station
135 S. Broadway St.
Akron, OH 44308
Thursday, September 15, 2016
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Click here for more information on the speaker and ticket ordering information!
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| Crain's [M]Power Manufacturing Assembly |
 [M]POWER 2016: WHAT'S THE SECRET SAUCE? Bring your entire leadership team to this one-of-a-kind event for manufacturers that will focus on creating a culture of excellence across all levels of your organization. Concurrent track sessions will focus on issues relevant to every aspect of your operation - from HR and operations to marketing. Not a manufacturer? Service providers can learn how to better reach manufacturing clients in a session designed just for you. Where & WhenJohn S. Knight Center 77 E. Mill St. Akron, OH 44308 Wednesday, October 19, 2016 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. For more information, click here.
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News from ODOT - Interstate 76 in the City of Akron/Summit County Projects
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As part of the $8.6 million various bridge repair project on I-76 between the Kenmore Leg and the Portage County line, the Ohio Department of Transportation District 4 will have various ramp closures and mainline restrictions throughout the month of August. For more information, visit Do the Detour or ODOT. |
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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.
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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
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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.
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