Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce

The Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce was honored to host the 13th annual Wayne Economic Forum, bringing together business and community leaders for a day of insight, meaningful conversation and connections focused on the future of business and economic growth.

Since its founding in 2013, the Wayne Economic Forum has provided a platform for influential leaders to share perspectives, explore emerging trends and discuss the opportunities and challenges shaping our regional economy. This year’s Forum continued that tradition, offering attendees valuable insights into leadership, innovation and the forces influencing the business landscape.

We extend our sincere gratitude to this year’s featured speakers, our sponsors, and everyone who attended and helped make the Forum a success. We are especially grateful to Dee Vaidya, whose vision established the Forum and continues to help shape its legacy.

Events like the Wayne Economic Forum reinforce the importance of bringing leaders together to exchange ideas, strengthen relationships and explore opportunities that support the long-term success of Wayne County and the surrounding region.

Wayne County students had a great time at this year’s Manufacturing Day, getting a firsthand look at local industries and the opportunities they offer!

Through tours of local manufacturing facilities, students explored modern technology, learned about the processes behind the products we use every day and discovered potential career paths right here in Wayne County.

Experiences like these help connect students with local businesses and highlight the important role manufacturing plays in our regional economy.

Thank you to the participating manufacturers, educators and sponsors who made this event possible and continue to invest in the next generation of our workforce!

Join us in welcoming Upward Bound Youth to the Wooster Chamber!

Upward Bound Youth exists to teach truth and equip youth & families with the gospel to be rooted, relational, and responsive citizens of Christ's Kingdom. As a nonprofit organization centered on the good news of Jesus Christ, they offer youth nights, family support, community events, a Bible gap year program, and mentoring opportunities, all designed to serve families and strengthen our community. They believe that bringing the gospel to the next generation is a community mission. Youth & families deserve safe spaces where they can be themselves and learn what it means to live a purposeful life with Jesus at the center. Since 1997, they have met this need with fun, Christ-centered programming that teaches truth, equips youth, and strengthens families. Learn how to join them for upcoming conferences or a weekly youth night at upwardboundyouth.org.

Join us for the 2026 Wayne Economic Forum on Thursday, October 15, from 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM at the Greystone Event Center!

Enjoy a catered lunch, regional networking, and powerful presentations covering:
▪️ People First: The Third Federal Way
▪️ The Evolving Health Care Environment: Why it matters to you
▪️ Stop the World! Let me off!
▪️ The Unconventional Path: Lessons on Persistence, Leverage & Scale

EVENT SCHEDULE:
🔹 12:00 PM – Lunch & Registration
🔹 1:00 PM – Welcome, Keynote Presentations & Q&A
🔹 4:30 PM – Closing Remarks & Networking

Seats are filling up fast! Secure your spot today. Register now: https://www.woosterchamber.com/wayne-economic-forum
(Thank you to our generous sponsors for making this event possible! 🙌)

Join us in welcoming Coblentz Technology to the Wooster Chamber!

Coblentz Technology, LLC has been part of the Holmes County business community for many years, growing alongside the rapidly changing world of technology. What began with a focus on helping local customers with their computers and technology needs has developed into a broader technology company serving businesses and families throughout the area. The company, owned and operated by Preston and Bonnie Coblentz, has built its reputation around personal service, technical expertise, and helping local businesses keep up with an increasingly connected world. Over the years, Coblentz Technology has expanded its capabilities to include business IT systems, networking, data protection, phone systems, and security solutions while continuing to provide traditional computer repair and support. As the company has grown, so has its service area, with Coblentz Technology expanding into Wayne County and building new relationships with businesses and residents in neighboring communities. Today, the company remains locally based at 1441 South Washington Street in Millersburg while serving customers throughout Holmes, Wayne, and surrounding counties. At the heart of Coblentz Technology's story is a commitment to people and relationships—a philosophy reflected in the company's belief that every customer becomes part of its story as the business continues to grow and evolve with the communities it calls home.

For more info, please visit https://coblentztechnology.com/

Downtown Wooster came alive this past weekend as friends, families and visitors gathered for Woosterfest. From live music and local vendors to the Biergarten and Weingarten, contests, great food and plenty of fun, there was something for everyone to enjoy throughout the weekend.

We’re incredibly grateful for the community support that makes Woosterfest possible year after year. Thank you to our sponsors, volunteers and Woosterfest Committee members who give their time, energy and countless hours to bring this event together, and to everyone who came out to celebrate with us.

Thank you for making Woosterfest 2026 one to remember — we’ll see you next year!

Take a look back at some of our favorite moments from the weekend.

Join us in welcoming Wayne Homes to the Wooster Chamber!

Wayne Homes is a custom, on-your-lot homebuilder that has been helping families build personalized homes for more than 50 years. Serving communities throughout Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, Wayne Homes combines flexible floor plans, customization built around you and a proven building process to make building a custom home simpler and more affordable.

For more info, please visit https://waynehomes.com or call 419-368-4865

The Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to present the Wayne Economic Forum, featuring speaker Michael Sirpilla, Co-Founder & CEO of Society Brands.

Join us for this premier business event to gain invaluable insights from a leading voice in entrepreneurship, acquisitions, and business scaling. This is a unique opportunity for professionals and community leaders to hear from Michael Sirpilla as he presents "The Unconventional Path: Lessons on Persistence, Leverage & Scale."

We encourage you to register today to secure your attendance at this year's forum on October 15th. Register here: https://www.woosterchamber.com/wayne-economic-forum

We are just ONE WEEK away from our 12th Annual Wayne County Manufacturing Day!

For over a decade, the Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce has led the charge in connecting local students, educators, and families directly with the world-class manufacturers right here in our backyard. Our goal is simple: showcase the incredible career opportunities right here at home and retain our top local talent to keep Wayne County's economy strong.

What started as a local initiative has grown into a premier regional model—so much so that Career Centers from surrounding counties are joining us to show their students the rewarding, high-paying career paths available right here in Wayne County, Ohio!

What sets our Manufacturing Day program apart:
• Direct Facility Access: Students get hands-on, behind-the-scenes tours inside active local facilities, learning directly from industry experts on the shop floor.
• The Official Student Guide: Every participating student receives a comprehensive handbook highlighting local employers, career pathways, and direct contact details for ongoing connections.
• Tailored Family & Parent Visits: We know busy schedules vary. That’s why our manufacturers offer dedicated Parent Nights and personalized 1-on-1 visit opportunities throughout the year so families can explore facilities together on dates that work best for them.

We are proud to champion our local workforce, inspire the next generation to build their futures locally, and support the incredible businesses that keep Wayne County thriving.

Stay tuned for behind-the-scenes coverage next week!