Moving Ahead Together

Moving Ahead Together was the theme for the State of the Chamber: 107^th Annual Meeting of the Orrville Area Chamber of Commerce. The event was held at The University of Akron Wayne College with more than 200 guests on February 10.

Dan Franks, president of the Orrville Area Chamber, began by thanking all sponsors including Red Circle sponsor The Commercial and Savings Bank, Black Circle sponsors The J.M. Smucker Company, The Will-Burt Company, and Ventrac. Lunch was catered by Village Catering and sponsored by SmithFoods.



Dr. Heather Howley, director of regional campuses at The University of Akron, welcomed and addressed the crowd. “Thank you to our fantastic chamber. You bring our community together, keep us on the move, and keep us thinking about the future.”

Kristin Endsley, past board chair, recognized the 16 board members and staff for their contributions. She acknowledged outgoing board members Joe Kennedy (Plume and Paper) and Bryan Troyer (Moog).

“When we say Chamber of Commerce, we really mean the membership. As staff, we are here to serve and represent the membership and our community, but the Chamber itself is the body of members,” Franks stated.

Moving Ahead Together. This theme resonated through the event as the Chamber stated their plans for 2024.

“I want to make it clear that this Chamber is committed to being actively involved in our community and supporting others who are working to make our community even greater,” said Dan Franks President and CEO of the Orrville Area Chamber.

Franks announced that HR Roundtables will be brought back in 2023.

Pete Kandis, Chamber board member, announced the Chamber Wellness Series that kicked off last month will be a yearlong, monthly program.

“As we move ahead together, that means we won’t be doing things all on our own, we will partner with others to bring the greatest good to the community,” Franks said.

The Chamber and The Orrville Area United Way are joining forces and bringing back Day of Caring, but in two days. “This initiative will present work projects and needs of individuals and non-profits in our community and provides our business community the opportunity to meet those needs. Day of Caring will take place on May 3 and September 16.

The Chamber is also partnering with NAMI of Wayne and Holmes Counites to bring their “Artists Among Us” series to downtown Orrville featuring the artwork of local people in recovery from mental illness. The Chamber is seeking interested businesses to provide some space.

Bryan Troyer, Chamber board member, discussed the growing Young Professional program, which offers quarterly workshops for the 18–40-year-old professionals in the Orrville Area.

“As a Chamber, we do our best to be responsive to the needs of our members,” said Franks. “It’s been a considerable amount of time since the chamber last conducted a Wages and Benefits survey for our area.” The survey will be distributed by the beginning of March with results delivered in April.

The Chamber is excited to announce a new Individual Membership level. "This new membership level is for retired individuals who want to continue to support the Chamber as a way of bettering our community,” Franks stated. “Donna Dale and James Davis are our first individual members.”

“After a lengthy absence, we will be bringing back Leadership Orrville this year,” Franks announced. “Our leadership program is unique in that it will not only develop leadership skills with those who attend but be focused on building a sense of community among the students and for the entire Orrville Area.” 

“The Chamber is doing things, not just talking about them. We’re providing resources, meetings, networking opportunities, and training sessions to move all of us ahead together,” Franks ended.