State of the County with Ilene Shapiro
We’re excited to invite you to one of Summit County’s most anticipated events of the year—the annual State of the County address delivered by Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro! Join us on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at the John S. Knight Center for an insightful look at the progress, challenges, and future for Summit County.
Event Details
Register online today or contact Emily Henthorn, Press Club administrator, at akronpressclub@gmail.com.
NOTE: Elected officials must register through email at jtortora@summitoh.net or phone at 330-643-2609
Date: Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Time: Doors open 11 a.m. Plated lunch served at 11:30 a.m. Program begins at noon.
Location: John S. Knight Center, 77 E Mill St, Akron, OH 44308
Cost: $45 for individual tickets | $450 per table of 10
Cancellation Policy: Cancellation requests must be received no later than 48 hours before the
event. After that time, there will be no refunds and an invoice will be issued for payment.
Engage Directly
This is your chance to ask questions and engage directly with County Executive Shapiro as she discusses pivotal issues, including the county’s response to the opioid crisis, advancements in public safety, and efforts to attract new businesses to Summit County.
Support for Akron Press Club Scholarships
Proceeds from Akron Press Club events fund scholarships for journalism and public relations students. Between the Press Club and the John S. Knight Memorial Scholarship Fund, scholarships of $5,000 were awarded to nine students in 2025. The Press Club sincerely thanks Summit County, Dr. Aileen Thong and Elizabeth Bartz for their donations to the scholarship fund. The Press Club also partnered with Sojourner Truth Education Committee to award two scholarships to Akron Public Schools graduating seniors. One of the scholarships is named in memory of the late County Executive Russ Pry, a dedicated supporter of the Akron Press Club. Ilene Shapiro continues this legacy of support through her participation in the State of the County address.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear directly from one of our community’s most influential leaders and support a great cause. Space is limited, so reserve your seat today!
Zero Waste Event
We are pleased to partner with Summit County ReWorks once again to make this a Zero Waste Event.
The Akron Press Club, founded in 1971, promotes a free press and serves local journalists and public relations professionals. We offer a forum for newsmakers to discuss current issues at our luncheons and speaking events, which are open to the public. The club also funds scholarships for journalism and public relations students. For more information, visit www.akronpressclub.org.