Through a partnership between the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, University of Akron, and Greater Akron Chamber, this unique event will bring together key government officials, business leaders, and community stakeholders to discuss important issues and opportunities facing the Greater Akron region.
During this information-packed conference, attendees will hear first-hand from policy experts on current political activities and have an opportunity to network and participate in Q&A. The event will feature four individual sessions with a Member of Congress, state legislators, Akron’s mayoral candidates, key government officials and business leaders.
Please feel free to contact Lindsey Perkins with any questions at (614) 629-0911.
8:30 –  Registration Opens
 9:00 –  Welcome
The event will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. and we will hear opening remarks from Steve Stivers, President & CEO, Ohio Chamber.
 9:10 –  City of Akron Mayoral Candidates Panel Discussion
We will facilitate dialog with multiple candidates hoping to secure the Democratic nomination for Mayor and learn about their respective visions for the City of Akron. Each candidate will have an opportunity to address attendees, respond to the moderator's questions, and participate in Q&A. The discussion will be facilitated by Steve Millard, President & CEO, Greater Akron Chamber. Confirmed participants include:
Additional roundtables will be organized by the GAC to feature other candidates running for Mayor.
10:15 – A Conversation with Congresswoman Emilia Sykes
Following Ohio’s recent redistricting process, subsequent redrawing of Ohio’s 13th Congressional District, and the election of U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes, Greater Akron has its first unified voice in Congress. We will talk with the Congresswoman about the implications of this newly defined district, her plans for building and leveraging regional cohesion in Congress, and how we might collaborate with her on advancing economic and workforce development priorities.
11:45 – Ohio’s Economic Development Priorities and Innovation Agenda
Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik will provide an overview of the DeWine Administration’s economic development priorities and how the Department is working to support innovation and economic growth within key industries to empower communities to succeed. After the Director’s remarks, we will hold a brief Q&A session with those in attendance.
12:15 – An Update on Ohio’s Polymer Industry Cluster and Efforts to Secure Transformational Investments
We will hear directly from polymer industry leaders about ongoing efforts to identify gaps within our region’s innovation ecosystem and the unique, high-growth opportunities that stand to solidify Akron and Northeast Ohio’s position as a global leader in polymer innovation. The panel will talk through various updates and ongoing efforts to secure transformational investments for innovation and then participate in Q&A.
1:00 –  Adjourn
