Serving talent development professionals in Greater Akron-Canton and surrounding areas.
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Celebrating 2023!With the end of another remarkable year, I am filled with immense pride and gratitude for the incredible accomplishments we have achieved together as a community. The Cuyahoga Valley Association of Talent Development has once again demonstrated its commitment to promoting the advancement of training and development by linking the people, learning, and performance of its members and the public.
Please join me in celebrating some of our successes from this past year.
Membership
We thank Jeanne Wiedt and Amy Browne, our Membership Co-Directors, for leading our membership drive efforts in 2023. We would also like to thank Luann Spaethe, our Immediate Past President, for serving on the membership committee. Here are some of their successes:
- Increased our overall membership by 18% (as of 11/16/23)
- Sustained high engagement of Power Members (CVATD + National membership) at 57%
- Offered mentoring to new members
Programming
We had many volunteers involved with leading our programming efforts. Please join us in thanking them for planning, organizing, and facilitating our events this year.
- Janet Kendall White and Stephanie Markovich: Programming Co-Directors
- Therese Longo: Performance Improvement Special Interest Group (SIG) Leader
- Susan Aldrich and Brad Withers: Consultant’s Special Interest Group (SIG) Leaders
Together, this group delivered an incredible calendar of events for our members, including:
- Organizing 37 programs (compared to 22 in 2022).
- Expanding our program diversity by adding informal socials and Performance Improvement SIGs.
- Sustaining the popular Coffee, Chat, and Contacts morning meetings on the first Friday of the month.
- Organizing two in-person workshops and two lunch-and-learns.
- Coordinating an Improv class event.
Marketing
Jen Grimes and Kate Graham, our Marketing Co-Directors, took our marketing efforts to the next level by:
- Increasing our presence on LinkedIn by adding followers and increasing engagement levels.
- Expanding our quarterly newsletter by adding new member interviews and converting it to an online format.
- Capturing event photos for both marketing efforts and historical archives.
Technology
Cindy DiLauro and Michele Miner, our Technology Co-Directors, kept the lights on with their behind-the-scenes work by:
- Sustaining the website, member portal, program announcements, and registrations.
- Producing all of our virtual events in Zoom.
- Streamlining and automating administrative processes to help our volunteers work more efficiently.
Sponsorship Program
In 2023, we launched a sponsorship program to create a win-win-win relationship for our chapter, members, and sponsors. We want to thank our sponsors for their support!
- Advocate Sponsors: Cinecraft Productions and University of Akron
- Supporter Sponsors: Cambium Development Group and Radcom, Inc.
- In-Kind Sponsors: Western Reserve Hospital, Kent State University, LoCLE Box, Hand and Stone, Papa Joe’s, Michele Miner, Aegis 360, Berkshire Group, Utmost Potential, and ATD National
Executive Committee
We would also like to thank our Executive Committee for their leadership over the past year:
- Amy Salapski: President
- Jessica Schemrich: President-Elect
- Amy Edmonds: Treasurer
- Brad Babcock: Secretary
Thank YOU!
CVATD would not exist without active, engaged members. We thank you for being part of our community and your willingness to support each other and make new members feel welcome as they join.
My term ended in December, and Jessica Schemrich began as our new President in January. I’m looking forward to serving under her leadership and excited about what’s in store for this chapter in 2024!
On behalf of the CVATD Board of Directors, I wish you all a prosperous New Year!
Warm regards,
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Amy Salapski, Past President |
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2024 at CVATD will be YOUR BEST YEAR — where we focus on best practices to help you become your best self. Here are some of the upcoming programs to look forward to:
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Holiday Party and Member Appreciation Event
On November 16, 2023, the private room at Papa Joe’s in Akron was filled near to bursting with CVATD members. The event was held to celebrate both the upcoming holiday season and to appreciate members.
An ice-breaker had everyone up and engaged, requiring signatures on a Bingo board for those members who could claim an item as true, whether being on the executive committee to preferring mountains over beaches to having blue eyes to being a Harry Potter fan. The goal of this game was not only to get better acquainted with one another, but also earn tickets toward a prize raffle.
The raffle prizes were generously donated by various sponsors, including the University of Akron—CVATD’s newest sponsor, Kent State, LoCLE box, Cambium Development Group, Aegis 360 Consulting. Even Papa Joe’s contributed two bottles of Prosecco.
Before the raffle began, however, former President Amy Salapski presented a special Appreciation Award to out-going past president Luann Spaethe, who has spent over 30 years in talent development in the banking industry.
“When I first was invited by Ned Parks, who’s a long-time member, part of the varsity squad, I was astonished that there are people that are in the same business as me,” said Spaethe. “You mean there’s people out there who help train, coach, and development people? Well, there’s a whole industry, and I wish I’d gotten into it a little bit sooner. When I came into the chapter, I was all in, and it helped me grow, learn, and take on new challenges.”
The president role is a six-year commitment, two years incoming, two years as president, and two years as past president. Spaethe's first endeavor as president (and a self-proclaimed morning person), was developing the original CVATD coffee chats, back when they were in person bright and early. One of her best accomplishments occurred when the number of people coming every month outgrew the space. She also was involved in making the switch from in-person to virtual during the pandemic. CVATD was able to keep up with programming with few hiccups.
“You can build the nicest machine, but it is the people who make it go,” said Spaethe. |
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January is ATD Member Appreciation Month!
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Save and double your support by purchasing a Power Membership from ATD during the #ATDMemberSale. Hurry! Sale ends January 12th!
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New Members:
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Melissa Olson*
Jennifer Rhodes
Tess Barsody
Amanda Heitic*
Kasie Mundy
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* Denotes ATD Power Members
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Meet our new CVATD President: Jessica Schemrich
Jessica Schemrich is the Learning and Development Manager at SOPREMA US in Wadsworth, OH. She has roughly 12 years of experience in Talent Development and really loves how the L&D space is applicable to so many industries. She has worked in logistics, healthcare, and now manufacturing. L&D is truly versatile! Her passions are leadership development, coaching, and content creation.
Here are a few questions/answers to help you get to know Jess:
How long have you been a chapter member?
I have been an ATD member since 2020.
Now that cold weather is upon us, what is your favorite winter past-time or tradition?
I really am NOT a cold weather person, so my favorite thing to do in the winter is stay indoors, wrapped up in a blanket, either watching movies with my kids or knitting Christmas presents!
How did you spend your holiday?
I spent my holiday with my family, eating ham, opening presents, and enjoying the baked goodie I've been making for weeks.
Why did you join CVATD?
I joined CVATD to further my professional development. I was interested in getting my CPTD and wanted to get more information on its benefits and requirements. I've stayed with CVATD because of the welcoming and helpful spirit of every one of our members.
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Thank you to all of our sponsors. We appreciate your partnership! |
ADVOCATE SPONSOR
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SUPPORTER SPONSOR
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IN-KIND SPONSOR
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The Cuyahoga Valley Chapter of ATD provides a variety of opportunities for businesses to reach Talent Development professionals from the Akron/Canton (and beyond) region of Ohio. Through our sponsorship program, we aim to create "Win-Win-Win" solutions for our sponsors, chapter, and membership.
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ABOUTThe Cuyahoga Valley Association of Talent Development (CVATD) is a professional organization that can help you meet other professionals in your area of expertise, develop skills through a full calendar of learning activities and expand leadership skills through volunteer opportunities. |
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MEMBER BENEFITSCVATD offers our members upskilling webinars, in-person and online workshops, Lunch and Learn events, as well as Special Interest Group meetings. Visit our website at cvatd.org for program information and to access Members-Only content, like our membership directory, virtual meeting recordings and program handouts. |
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2024 Officers and Board of Directors
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President:
Jess Schemrich
Past President:
Amy Salapski
Secretary:
Brad Babcock
Treasurer:
Amy Edmonds Programming:
Stephanie Markovic
Janet Kendall White
Membership:
Amy Browne
Marketing and Communications:
Jennifer Grimes
Kate Graham
Technology:
Michele Miner
Cindy DiLauro |
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