LOCAL BUSINESS
Bureau markets Summit
The Akron/Summit Convention and Visitors Bureau said Monday it is more aggressively marketing the county as a place for conventions and other events with its new DEFY Convention marketing initiative.
“There are larger markets in the region, but we’re saying you can be a little different and bring your convention to Summit County,” said Jim Mahon, bureau director of marketing and communication. “We have tremendous venues and facilities and accommodations. We have all these Summit-centric attractions.”
So far, the DEFY Convention initiative consists of information on the bureau’s Web page and printed materials and a video aimed at area meeting and tour planners, as well as anyone who might have an influence over where a group decides to hold an event.
“This hopefully will spur the idea, ‘Maybe I can leverage my interest and bring the event home’ ” to Summit, Mahon said.
The bureau developed the DEFY Convention promotion with Akron marketing communications agency Hitchcock Fleming & Associates.
Mahon said the social media portion of the effort could reach 300,000 people via the LinkedIn networking site and more than a million people via Facebook.
He said the hope is that the campaign will lead to at least 15 new events booked at Summit County venues this year. To learn more about the initiative go to www.visitakron-summit.org and click on DEFY Convention under the “Meeting & Tour Planners” tab.
Leadership nominations
The Greater Akron Chamber is accepting nominations for this year’s 30 for the Future Awards.
The program honors young professionals who live and/or work in Greater Akron for their leadership and community service. Nominations will be accepted through March 28. Each nominee will be required to complete the 30 for the Future Leadership Document, which includes questions about leadership skills and community activities.
Award recipients will be recognized at a celebration in September.
Nominees must be between the ages of 25 and 39 by March 28. For information and forms, go to www.greaterakronypn.com/30-for-the-future.
Premiums, income rise
Specialty insurer National Interstate Corp. reported higher gross premiums written and anticipated net income for its 2013 fourth quarter and full fiscal year.
Richfield-based National Interstate reported $179.3 million gross premiums written for its fourth quarter ending Dec. 31, up 14.3 percent from $156.8 million a year ago. The company said it expects to have net income of 40 to 46 cents per share for the quarter compared with 42 cents per share a year ago.
For the year, National Interstate said it had $632 million in gross premiums written, up 10.2 percent from $573.5 million for fiscal 2012. Net income is expected to range from 86 cents to 92 cents per share, down from $1.75 a share for fiscal 2012.
The company will host an earnings conference call at 10 a.m. Feb. 26. The public can listen in by dialing 877-837-3911 or by going to http://invest.natl.com.
ECONOMY
New role for Bernanke
Ben Bernanke, who stepped down last week after eight momentous years as chairman of the Federal Reserve, is joining the Brookings Institution, a Washington think tank.
Bernanke will be a distinguished fellow in residence affiliated with Brookings’ Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy, according to Brookings President Strobe Talbot.
Janet Yellen was sworn in Monday to succeed Bernanke at the Fed.
Bernanke had said he intended to stay in Washington and looked forward to writing and giving speeches on economic policy. Before coming to Washington, he had taught at Princeton University.
Manufacturing growth slows
U.S. manufacturing barely expanded last month as cold weather delayed shipments of raw materials and caused some factories to shut down.
The Institute for Supply Management, a trade group of purchasing managers, said Monday that its index of manufacturing activity fell to 51.3 in January from 56.5 in December. It was the lowest reading since May, though any reading above 50 signals growth. Manufacturers said export orders grew at a healthy pace but slightly less than in the previous month.
Compiled from staff, wire reports.