Businesses in Greater Akron continue to navigate shifting markets, workforce pressures, and evolving economic conditions. Understanding what’s coming is core to being able to initiate proactive strategies and pivots to best position business for success in the coming year.
As such, the Greater Akron Chamber is excited to announce the featured leaders who will share their perspectives and expertise on trends, forecasts, and market factors expected to shape 2027 at its annual Economic Outlook event on November 18, 2026.
This year’s program will feature Amanda Agati, CFA, Chief Investment Officer and Executive Vice President of PNC Asset Management Group, and Jacob Duritsky, Vice President, Strategy, Research and Talent at Team NEO. During the event, Agati and Duritsky will share national and regional insights on inflation, consumer confidence, workforce, financial markets and other business factors impacting Greater Akron and Northeast Ohio.
A signature gathering designed for business and community leaders, Economic Outlook helps attendees better understand the forces influencing business decisions, investment strategies and regional growth.
“Economic Outlook is one of the ways we help our business community look ahead with greater clarity,” said Steve Millard, President and CEO of the Greater Akron Chamber. “By bringing together leaders with both national market perspective and regional economic insight, this event gives attendees a more complete understanding of the forces shaping business decisions, investment strategies and growth opportunities in Greater Akron.”
“The markets and economy often defy expectations, which is why investors need to balance conviction with flexibility,” Agati said. “As we look toward 2027, we will discuss the trends shaping PNC’s investment and economic outlook, challenging a few widely held assumptions, and exploring what business leaders should be considering in the months ahead.”
“Greater Akron and Northeast Ohio enter 2027 with real economic strengths, but also at a time when businesses are navigating significant shifts in the workforce, technology and the broader economy,” Duritsky said. “Our goal is to help leaders understand what the data is telling us about where the region is competitive, where pressures are emerging, and how we can collectively position Greater Akron and Northeast Ohio for continued growth.”
The event will take place Wednesday, November 18, 2026 from 8:00-10:00 a.m. at DoubleTree by Hilton Akron Fairlawn, 3180 W. Market St., Akron. Breakfast is included. Registration and sponsorship information is available at greaterakronchamber.org.
About Amanda Agati
Agati leads PNC’s overall investment strategy, portfolio and risk management approach and investment solution development across the Asset Management Group, which includes the Investment Office, PNC Private Bank®, PNC Private Bank Hawthorn® and PNC Institutional Asset Management®. She also chairs the PNC Investment Policy Committee and serves as a member of the Investment Committee for PNC’s pension fund.
A nationally recognized voice on investment and market trends, Agati contributes thought leadership and appears frequently in national business media, including Barron’s, Bloomberg, CNBC, CNN, the Financial Times and The Wall Street Journal. She holds a Bachelor of Science in finance and economics from Penn State University’s Schreyer Honors College and the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation.
About Jacob Duritsky
As the vice president of strategy, research and talent for Team NEO’s business development efforts, Duritsky helps align regional partners around targeted, sustainable economic growth. His work includes analyzing Northeast Ohio’s economy, developing data-driven insights to inform strategy, and advancing Team NEO’s talent strategy, Aligning Opportunities reports and Vibrant Economy Index.
Duritsky has been with Team NEO since 2008 and previously led national site selector engagement and business attraction efforts. He holds a Master of Science in Urban Studies from Cleveland State University’s Levin College of Urban Affairs and serves in regional leadership roles focused on workforce and talent development.