About Akron Roundtable

“Bringing the World to Akron "

Akron Roundtable’s Mission Statement:

Akron Roundtable brings speakers to Akron who inform, educate and stimulate listeners on topics of importance to the region, the country and the world.

The Akron Roundtable was established in 1976 as a community forum to encourage and bring bold, creative and new ideas to the region.  To date, more than 360 major corporate executives, writers, government officials, artists, and civic leaders from around the country have shared their thoughts on subjects of global, national and regional importance with Akron Roundtable audiences. 

Held at noon on the third Thursday of every month, Akron Roundtable is a non-partisan forum (the Roundtable does not take positions on issues), and all speakers are asked to respond to written questions from the audience.  Each event, held at the Quaker Station located at the Quaker Square Inn on the campus of The University of Akron, begins at 12:00 noon with the speaker’s address immediately followed by a question and answer session.  Doors open for the event at 11:45 a.m.  A pre-luncheon Press Conference begins at 11:30. The event concludes at approximately 1:15 p.m.   

Roundtable audiences vary in size by subject and have grown over the years from one hundred to more than 700 on special occasions.  As a general rule, Akron Roundtable does not pay speaker fees.  However, reasonable travel and accommodation costs are covered upon request.   

All speeches are recorded for broadcast later the same day by National Public Radio affiliate WKSU 89.7FM and world-wide over the Internet.  Akron Roundtable was the first civic forum in the nation, after the National Press Club in Washington, to initiate regularly scheduled Internet broadcasts.

Suggestions for future speakers are brought to consideration monthly by members of Akron Roundtable board.