The Chamber Investor Group is growing! Meet our newest Investor companies on our website.
Becoming a Chamber Investor comes with many benefits including
- Investor-only events
- Board nomination eligibility
- Special recognition at Chamber events and on materials.
Most importantly, Investors show their support in shaping the Greater Akron Chamber's initiatives and the economic future of our region.
If you have questions or would like to learn more about membership opportunities please contact our Membership Department:
|
| Chamber Elects Board of Directors and Executive Officers at Annual Meeting |
The Greater Akron Chamber held its 109th Annual Meeting on Wednesday, March 23, 2016, at the John S. Knight Center. As part of the evening's presentations, these members were newly elected to serve on the Greater Akron Chamber's Board of Directors:
Julie Brandle, President, Metis Construction Services LLC
Laura B. Culp, Partner/Tax Services, Sikich LLP
Dan Horrigan, Mayor, City of Akron
Brianna Kelly, Associate Art Director, Geometry Global - Representing YPA
Darren Kotecki, President, GPD Group
Robert Littman, Ohio Managing Partner, BDO USA
Nicole Mullet, Executive Director, ArtsNow - Representing Torchbearers
Jon Park, CEO & Chairman, Westfield Bank
Lucia Pileggi, Market President, KeyBank
Ernie E. Pouttu, President & COO, Harwick Standard Distribution Corp.
Katie Carver Reed, Programs Coordinator, Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank - Representing ArtCetera
Julie Wesel, CEO, Chemstress Consultant Company
Click for entire Greater Akron Chamber Board of Directors
|
|
Members of the Greater Akron Chamber help our organization thrive and make the connections necessary to advance our community. Thank you to all of our current and new members!
A list of our new members is available on our website. Please support fellow members when possible.
|
Sponsors support Greater Akron Chamber events and receive recognition, both at the event and in Chamber media. Event sponsorship and business-to-business advertising opportunities for 2016 are now available. Receive recognition and exposure to the 5,000+ business leaders who are active in the Chamber.
For more information, contact Kurt Leibensperger, Director, Membership Development, at (330) 237-1234 or kurt@greaterakronchamber.org.
|
|
The mission of the Greater Akron Chamber is to drive economic development and prosperity for the people of the Greater Akron Region.
|
|
|
|
Annual Meeting "Powers Up" Akron
|
On March 23, 2016, the Greater Akron Chamber held its 109th Annual Meeting, highlighting economic development and the future of Greater Akron. This year's theme, Power Up, characterized the energy in the John S. Knight Center, where more than 900 attendees enjoyed cocktail hour and dinner.
Tony Alexander, retired FirstEnergy Executive Chairman, President and CEO, received the prestigious H. Peter Burg Award. The award had special significance this year because Alexander and Burg started their careers together at Ohio Edison, later FirstEnergy. Alexander described Burg's mentoring and influence as vital to the success of his 43-year career.
"Burg worked tirelessly in community development, often offering his key FirstEnergy people and himself to help," said Greater Akron Chamber President and CEO, Dan Colantone in his remarks. Colantone also introduced and congratulated Don Taylor, The Greater Akron Chamber's new Chair, while all new board members and officers were voted in. This exciting event is a source of goodwill for the Chamber and its ongoing role in convening leaders and influencers across our region.
|
|
Greater Akron Partnership Report Takes Pulse of Region
|
The Greater Akron Partnership, a collaboration of the Greater Akron Chamber, Medina County Economic Development Corporation, Portage Development Board and Summit County Department of Community and Economic Development, conducted 448 business retention and expansion (BR&E) visitations in 2015. Since the program was launched in 2003, the Greater Akron Partnership has conducted more than 4,000 visitations!
See what companies in the tri-county region have to say about conducting business here, in the Greater Akron Partnership's 2015 Annual Report.
|
|
Pro Football Hall of Fame Predicts $15 Billion Impact
|
 More than 125 economic development practitioners of Northeast Ohio attended the 12th annual Economic Development Forum at Greystone Hall, sponsored by Roetzel & Andress. This year's forum showcased the $476 million public-private expansion plan for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton. An economic impact study projects the expansion will generate more than $15 billion regionally over the next 25 years and create more than 13,000 jobs. David Baker, President of the Hall of Fame, gave the keynote address. Mr. Baker envisions the Pro Football Hall of Fame becoming the "Disney World of Football," a tribute to Americans' love of the game. The plan includes a high-end hotel, sports and entertainment complex, conference center, and renovations to Fawcett Stadium, which hosts the Hall of Fame Game each August.
|
|
Greater Akron Showcased on an International Stage in Germany
|
 The Chamber and the City of Akron led the 16-member "Akron, USA" team, including the cities of Fairlawn and Mentor, Counties of Lake and Summit, FirstEnergy and Team NEO, at the 2016 Hannover Messe in Germany. The Hannover Messe is the largest industrial trade show in the world. Led by County of Summit Executive Russ Pry, the delegation had 60 pre-scheduled meetings with international companies looking to invest in the U.S., and also met with representatives of ContiTech, parent company of Veyance Technologies in Fairlawn. This year's show was unique in that the U.S. was the "host" country, and President Obama participated in the opening ceremony. Ohio Lt. Governor Mary Taylor attended as state ambassador and met with our delegation in the U.S. Pavilion.
"In an effort to attract foreign direct investment, the 'Akron, USA' team has attended the Hannover Trade Fair for 27 straight years," said Russ Pry. "As a result of our participation, we have been at the forefront as one of the largest, most established American presence in marketing our region to international companies looking to both invest and create jobs in our community."
|
|
Chamber Talks Partnership with Detroit and Automotive Industry
|
  Working to strengthen and support the region's automotive supply chain, the Chamber visited Detroit for the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) World Congress. Among the best worldwide talent in the automotive industry, engineers and executives alike gather to network and address the industry's challenges and opportunities. Chamber representatives met with General Motors, Ford, Chrysler and many manufacturers with a Northeast Ohio presence. While in Detroit, the Chamber also met with the Detroit Regional Chamber and the Consul General at the Canadian Consulate. "Detroit offers us unique opportunities, not only in the traditional automotive cluster, but also through partnerships and programs we discussed with our economic development counterparts," noted Rick Rebadow, Chamber Executive Vice President. "These industry discussions validated many initiatives that we've undertaken over the past several years and gave us insight into new collaborative initiatives to enhance our region's economic vitality." |
|
Economic Development Correspondents
Samuel D. DeShazior, Deputy Director, City of Akron
Stephen Kidder, President, German Link, Inc.
Richard F. Rebadow, Executive Vice President, Greater Akron Chamber
Gregg P. Cramer, Vice President, Economic Development, Greater Akron Chamber
|
|
|
|
|
