On Wednesday, October 31, State and Federal Communications is hosting its Ninth Annual Halloween Donuts and Cider Sale. All sales will go directly to the United Way of Summit County.

Drop in and say hello from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. and enjoy a delicious treat, or take some of these goodies to your office! We’ll be in the lobby of 80 South Summit St. in Downtown Akron, across from Quaker Square.

The Krispy Kreme regular and chocolate donuts are $1.00 per donut or $7.00 per dozen. The apple cider will be $1.00 per cup or $8.00 per gallon.

To reserve your donuts, you can email Joe May at jmay@stateandfed.com, or call us at 330-761-9960.

On July 19th, State and Federal Communications’ Team Intern had the wonderful opportunity to take a tour of the Akron Art Museum! The Akron Art Museum is just a short walk away from the State and Federal Akron office and features free admission to the public on Thursdays. State and Federal is a supporter of the Museum, which means that all staff is welcome to visit free of charge whenever they please!

The interns were led on a guided tour by Development Officer Sarah Vernosky and Senior Development Officer Jenee Garlando through the whole museum. To open, they talked to the interns about the actual building and its many unique features. The new addition to the museum was completed in 2007, but careful planning began in 1998. The old building remains, but the new addition was expertly constructed to complement its historic elements. Consisting of mostly glass, concrete, and metal elements, the new addition takes on a very modern look in downtown Akron. The interns were then led through the old gallery which consisted of more of the museum’s traditional artwork. The interns gained a new appreciation for the deep meaning and history behind the artwork as the tour continued.

The new gallery features 16-foot walls which allow for virtually any work of art to be featured. The interns learned about several different pieces of art that the museum keeps in their permanent collection.

Perhaps the most fascinating work to learn about was artist Chuck Close’s “Linda”. The interns learned that Chuck Close worked by first photographing his subjects up close and then working in a printer-like fashion by layering the colors individually.

To end their time at the museum, the interns walked through the Bud and Susie Rogers Garden. The garden features a large open space that the museum uses to host summer concerts and family movie nights.

Team intern had a wonderful time at the Akron Art Museum, and are grateful for the opportunity to learn more about Akron’s deep appreciation for the arts.

State and Federal Communications has prepared a new white paper with a comprehensive examination of pay-to-play laws and the characteristics of an effective pay-to-play compliance program.

This white paper is useful for politically active business entities who have, or are seeking, to obtain government contracts amid the complex regulatory scheme of pay-to-play laws.

A strong pay-to-play compliance program can mitigate your risks and facilitate a smooth procurement experience that stays within the boundaries of all regulations.

Have you ever asked:

• Is quid pro quo considered bribery in exchange for a specific contract?
• To whom may we contribute?
• What should we be aware of while negotiating a contract?

This white paper includes:

• Pay-to-play categorization: focus on restriction, disqualification, or disclosure
• How and why to implement best practices for making contributions
• Recent trends in ethical business contributions and procurement laws

If you are attempting to obtain a local or state contract, this free white paper is a must-read.

Click here for downloading instructions – and ensure you and your team can say “I Comply!”

Did you miss Amanda Rabinowitz from 89.7 WKSU congratulate Elizabeth Bartz and State and Federal Communications on our 25th anniversary on Morning Edition? Don’t worry, we’ve got it for you right here!

Peter is originally from Pennsylvania and moved to the Greater Cleveland area almost ten years ago. He received his Associate’s Degree in Graphic Design from Cuyahoga Community College this past December, and is transferring to the University of Akron this coming Fall to continue his studies.

To Peter, designing for and branding a company, organization or individual is more than creating art, but communicating who the company is and what they stand for in a visual form.

Growing up, Peter has always been (and still is) very involved in the life of his church and its youth groups’ activities. He enjoys listening to all sorts of music, binging on Netflix and hanging out with friends.

Peter also enjoys traveling and exploring new places. He has already been to Greece numerous times, as well as Cyprus, Turkey, Israel and Mexico. He is an avid NBA and Cavs fan, who hopes to see another championship banner in the rafters of the Q in the near future!

From this internship Peter hopes to learn new skills in fields other than graphic design, and he hopes to gain experience in networking. Establishing connections in person and via social media is very important, as it could open many doors and opportunities for yourself!

Peter looks forward to continue working alongside some great people at State and Federal Communications.

Kayliegh Crumb is a junior at Kent State University majoring in journalism with a double minor in political science and economics. She expects to graduate in the spring of 2020.

Kayliegh was always interested in public speaking growing up. She first started public speaking when she competed in Destination Imagination as a fourth grader. Now, she uses the skills learned from Destination Imagination in her broadcasting career. She has been a correspondent, weather anchor and assistant producer at TV2, the Kent State University news station.

She believes amazing communications skills are necessary in any field. No matter the career, you must properly read nonverbal cues and present your information effectively.

She loves watching cheesy rom-coms, spending time with her family or friends and traveling.

Hello! My name is Greta Conley, and I’m an intern at State and Federal Communications. I am going to be a sophomore at the University of Akron, and I’m studying graphic design.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had a passion for art and using creativity. I love typography, hand lettering and painting. I couldn’t imagine my life without these creative aspects, so majoring in graphic design was a clear choice because it gives me the skills to turn that into a career.

When I learned about the internship at State and Federal communications, I was immediately interested because it seemed like an amazing opportunity to sharpen my skills and grow in new ones. So far in my internship, I have loved getting to know more about how a business operates and how a graphic designer can fit into that as well as getting the ability to expand my network.

After I graduate college, I would like to pursue a job as a graphic designer with a focus on company identity and branding or package design. Everything I have learned here will carry through to help me in my education and career beyond just this summer.

Abigail Siegfried is a junior at The University of Akron double majoring in music and political science. She plans to graduate in the spring of 2020.

Watching her father practice law and hearing about his time serving as a county prosecutor inspired Abigail to pursue political science as a career. Abigail finds government and politics fascinating and is excited to see how she will learn and grow through the State and Federal internship this summer.

After graduation, Abigail is considering going to law school. She believes that government and politics is an exciting field that is continuously changing and wants to contribute to its growth and work to make society a better place through it. She believes that great things can come when people in government and law use their position of power for the betterment and growth of the American society, and that it is the key to the making of a truly great nation.

Music is one of Abigail’s passions, and teaching piano lessons is her favorite pastime. Having done several research papers on the importance of music education on a child’s growth and development, Abigail knows the importance of fostering a love for music in the next generation. Abigail considers it a great privilege to see each of her students develop as a musician both technically and emotionally.

When she is not studying or teaching, Abigail enjoys playing the piano for her church every week and spending time with her family.

Sammy is going into his third year at the University of Akron, studying Business with a minor in Public Relations. He’s pursuing this degree in hopes to one day be his own boss, and own a restaurant somewhere out west, preferably Denver or Salt Lake City. He’s also a huge fan of photography, weight lifting, and sports, playing football, lacrosse, and throwing shot put and discus.

Over his years being involved with scouts, Sam has been able to go to Colorado and climb Mount Antero, see Pikes Peak and zipline over canyons; go to New Mexico on a 12-day trek in bear country and try actual rock climbing, metal working, and many other activities; and has white water rafted in the New River Gorge in West Virginia. The only reason Sammy wants to move out west is to have the beautiful view of the mountains in his backyard, and have the ability to go climb a mountain any day he wishes.

Sam believes having the business skills to network, and read financial records properly is imperative to strive and be successful. He thinks this internship will better help him understand the inner workings of a business, which will be beneficial later down the road.

Why should you be aware of best practices and recent trends regarding lobbying and gifts? Reputation is your company’s most valued asset. Perception is everything. This short educational video is a must-see for all government relations professionals involved in advocacy and lobbying compliance at the state and local level.

Adopting best practices for state and local lobbying and gift compliance will help your company avoid fines, debarment, or brand damage. Companies with a strong reputation for ethics compliance can better establish their role as industry leaders and trusted advisors.

Click here to view this video on best practices and recent trends for lobbying and gift-giving – and ensure you and your team can say “I Comply!”

On June 6th, State and Federal Communications’ Team Intern had a chance to visit the newest addition to the Goodyear blimp fleet. Upon arrival interns were split into two groups: one group would listen to the public relations speech first and the other would get a tour of the blimp hangar and photo gallery first, then they would switch.

During the public relations presentation, the speaker explained the blimp’s long history and how its purpose is split into three unique categories. The blimp is used to engage, spotlight, and reward.

The Goodyear Blimp is very recognizable, making it easy for it to engage with anyone who sees it in the sky.

It is also used to spotlight certain charities, events, or anniversaries. For example, the Goodyear Blimp was flown to a small tire store to mark its 45th anniversary of selling Goodyear tires.

Finally, the blimp has been involved in many rewarding opportunities, Goodyear once teamed up with NASCAR to give one veteran a huge surprise. They had informed the veteran he was getting a once in a lifetime ride in the Goodyear blimp but did not mention his favorite race car driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr., would be dressed like a pilot inside waiting to surprise him.

The tour of the Goodyear Blimp hangar was next. Walking into the hangar was truly an experience, the sheer size of the blimp was beyond impressive. The new blimp was in the process of being built, so it was hanging from the ceiling as the crew continued to build and add the final components. It is the third blimp of Goodyear’s newest fleet. One of the blimp’s pilots said it will take two days to fill the blimp with enough helium to float and extra couple days to purify it. After it is built and filled, it will finally be ready for its first flight.

This experience was not only interesting but also benefited the interns. It allowed us to get out into the community and meet other professionals as well as gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the local culture.

You can consider this Silver Anniversary—Part One. On July 1st, State and Federal Communications, Inc. will celebrate its 25th anniversary. WOW! That is a long, long time and I have been here every minute of it.

We are going to take the opportunity to celebrate this event in Akron, Ohio and in Washington, DC and I hope you can all join us.

Feel free to respond to this email and I will make sure you receive an invitation. We are looking forward to opening our doors to all of our clients and friends around the country.

Thank you…Thank you for always relying on our quality services and knowing we are here to make sure government affairs world a lot easier.

Looking forward to seeing you soon.

Check out some photos from a busy April at State and Federal Communications!

Staff Anniversaries:

See us in person! Are you attending any of these events in May? Make sure you say hi to someone from State and Federal!

May 10-13 NCSL Executive Committee Meeting, Denver, CO

May 11 NILE Program on State Lobbying, Washington, D.C.

May 16 Bloomberg Government’s Next Infrastructure, Washington, D.C.

May 17 GPN Infrastructure Week Rooftop Reception, Washington, D.C.

May 17 Akron Roundtable, Akron, OH

May 22 Akron Urban League — Akron Talks, Akron, OH