Christopher J. Hardesty, the first executive director of the Downtown Akron Development Corporation, will headline an Akron Press Club luncheon on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at Quaker Station in downtown Akron. The luncheon program will include an opportunity for audience questions.
The nonprofit corporation’s mission is to accelerate progress on downtown Akron’s most challenging development projects. In his role, Hardesty is responsible for assembling funding, tracking development and investment, and collaborating with local government and regional partners, including the City of Akron, Summit County, Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce, Development Finance Authority, Summit County Land Bank, and Downtown Akron Partnership.
Event Details
Program: Christopher J. Hardesty, Executive Director, Downtown Akron Development Corporation
Date: Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Time: Doors open at 11 a.m. for buffet luncheon; program begins at noon
Place: Quaker Station, 135 S. Broadway, Akron, Ohio
Cost: $35 per individual | $280 per table of 8
Payment: Check only, accepted the day of the event.
Reservation deadline: Noon, Thursday, December 4, 2025
Cancellations: Requests must be received at least 48 hours before the event. After that time, there will be no refunds and an invoice will be issued for payment.
Questions? Contact Emily Henthorn, Press Club administrator, at akronpressclub@gmail.com.
About Christopher J. Hardesty
Hardesty was named to lead the Downtown Akron Development Corporation in the summer of 2024. He previously served as economic development director for the City of Canton. An Akron native, Hardesty earned a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in criminal justice and a master’s degree in political science with a concentration in security studies from The University of Akron, as well as an MBA from Walsh University.