SPE – Awards Night

Please join us for the last Akron SPE meeting of the season as we present various awards and scholarships. Use the link below for registration and payment.  Reserve by May 17.  Dinner tickets $35; honorees, scholarship winners (plus one additional guest) are free.

Speaker for the Evening – Brian Anderson, Vice President, Polymer Industry Cluster at the Greater Akron Chamber

A Transformational Economy through Polymer Industry Innovation

Abstract: This talk delves into the inception and impact of the Polymer Industry Cluster initiative, aimed at harnessing the robust assets and capabilities within the northeast Ohio’s polymer industry to propel innovation and steer the economy towards unprecedented growth. Through a collaborative effort spanning industry, higher education, government, and non-profit sectors, a series of development projects have been designed to ignite substantial and enduring economic expansion. The discussion explores how strategic partnerships, thoughtful planning, and collaboration have led to the designation of the Akron Metropolitan Statistical Area as the Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub of the United States.  The Polymer Industry Cluster is working to leverage funding opportunities such as the Ohio Innovation Hub and EDA Tech Hubs programs, potentially injecting over $100 million into the economy to fuel transformative growth. Attendees will gain insights into the blueprint for catalyzing innovation, driving growth, and positioning the region at the forefront of the polymer industry’s evolution.