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New Achievers group plans networking seminars in Valley
COLUMBIANA
A new organization providing professional networking opportunities throughout Northeast Ohio will link 100 companies and organizations to attract nationally and internationally renowned speakers to the area.
Achievers USA, co-founded by Greg Smith and George Landis, of the manufacturer Compco Industries, which is also sponsoring the program. It will provide monthly, half-day long seminars to those who sign up as members.
The initiative is the first of its kind in the Mahoning Valley, said Smith and Landis, who will focus their efforts on enhancing personal and professional development through the seminars and building what they hope will become valuable professional alliances among the program’s membership.
“This is a way for people to achieve personal and professional growth,” Smith said.
“This is a network of like-minded people coming together to talk without competition.”
Landis said the seminars will offer “strategic networking opportunities” in an objective and personal environment. Initially, single-seminar sessions will be available to attend, but as the program grows, membership will be a cheaper option for companies and members wanting a seat at seminars featuring top quality speakers, Landis said.
Already, the program has landed a team of professionals from the Disney Institute, who will discuss leadership, management and brand loyalty, among other things, during the first seminar Sept. 6. S
Seminars planned through June 2013 will include Caldwell Esselstyn, director of Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Reversal Program at the Cleveland Clinic Wellness Institute and Jim Tressel the former head football coach at Ohio State University and Youngstown State University.
Smith said plans for Achievers USA came together in February and the program has thus far been successful in attracting speakers and membership.
Going forward, Landis and Smith said that if the program is well-received, they will consider taking it to the national level with a franchise.
A host of topics will be covered at the seminars, including social-media marketing, understanding government policy, sales tactics and public speaking. All sessions will be geared toward helping companies discover more effective ways to do business and grow.
“This will be happening right here in the Valley,” Landis said. “It’s about adding value to the business community.”
For more information about Achievers USA, membership details and seminars visit www.achieversusa.com/.