2021 Impact Ohio

Akron-Canton Regional Conference

Friday, April 23
8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Virtual Conference

At the 2021 Impact Ohio Akron-Canton Regional Conference, key government officials, business leaders, and community members discussed issues important to the region.

At the conference, attendees heard first-hand from government leaders, political analysts, pundits, and policy experts on issues that affect their community.

8:30 AM - 8:45 AM	Conference Welcome Jennifer Flatter, Chief Executive Officer, Impact Ohio Mike Toman, Partner, The Success Group
8:45 AM - 9:00 AM	An Address FROM SECRETARY OF STATE FRANK LAROSE The Honorable Frank LaRose, Ohio Secretary of State
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM	Ohio’s Budget: What’s on the Horizon for Fiscal Years 2022-2023 Moderator Dr. Matthew P. Akers, Special Assistant to the President for Government Relations and Associate Director of the Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics at The University of Akron Panelists The Honorable Erica Crawley, Ranking Member, House Finance Committee The Honorable Matt Dolan, Chair, Senate Finance Committee The Honorable Bill Roemer, Member, House Finance Committee The Honorable Vernon Sykes, Ranking Member, Senate Finance Committee
10:00 AM - 10:15 AM	Break
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM	The Akron-Canton Metroplex Moderator Michael Shearer, Editor, Akron Beacon Journal/BeaconJournal.com and Regional Editor Northern Ohio – USA TODAY Network Panelists Renato "Ren" Camacho, President & CEO, Akron-Canton Airport Dr. Para Jones, President, Stark State College Steve Millard, President & CEO, Greater Akron Chamber Dennis Saunier, President & CEO, Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce
11:15 AM - 11:30 AM	Break
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM	Political Insight: The State of Ohio's Political Parties Moderator Dr. John Green, Director Emeritus, Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics Panelists Chairman Robert Paduchik, Chairman, Ohio Republican Party Chairwoman Elizabeth Walters, Chairwoman, Ohio Democratic Party