The event began with a meet-and-greet with Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Pittsburgh Steeler player Jack Ham, followed by a question-and-answer time with Mike Gallina, vice president of Organizational Development and Community Engagement for Aultman Health Systems, interviewing Ham.

Following dinner, Gallina gave a motivational presentation on “Celebrating Your CHAMPionship Journey!” in which he encouraged the audience members to exchange fist bumps while truly seeing and valuing each other. He then shared quotes from Kobe Bryant, Monty Williams and Tom Brady and discussed the CHAMPionship journey, with “CHAMPS” representing “Courage, Heart, Attitude, Motivation, Perseverance, and Sacrifice.”

During the awards portion of the event, Allyson Bussey, president and CEO of Visit Canton, presented tourism awards, and Minerva Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Nathan Meadows and members of the chamber’s board of directors presented Community Salute awards.

Bussey presented the Destination Impact Award to the Minerva Area Chamber of Commerce, recognizing the work the Chamber has done to significantly enhance Stark County’s tourism landscape, elevate visitor experiences, drive economic impact, and strengthen community vibrancy.

The Minerva Area Chamber of Commerce held its 43rd annual dinner and Community Salute Awards May 21. Visit Canton awards, from left, front row, Andy Conrad, Amanda Conrad, Allyson Bussey, Nathan Meadows, Denise Freeland; back row, Tonja Marshall and Allison Gromofsky. (Submitted photo)

Amanda and Andy Conrad, owners of Sandy Springs Brewing Company, The Arcade, The Brewer’s Quarters, and Century House, and part-owners of Great Trail Golf Course, received Visit Canton’s Tourism Ambassador Award. This award recognizes the Conrads’ leadership, hospitality, and dedication to elevating the visitor experience. Their exceptional leadership helps shape the positive experiences that inspire visitors to return to our communities again and again.

The Chamber’s Community Salute awards were presented to Heritage Tire and Auto Care as Outstanding New Business; Summitville Tiles, Outstanding Large Business; Que Pasa Mexican Restaurant, Outstanding Small Business; Market Street Art Spot, Economic Development; and Patricia Miller, E. David Hank Community Appreciation Award.

Heritage Tire and Auto Care opened in October 2025 and is owned by Jim Kohmann, Ricco Perea, and Matt Leeders, with the backing of Daystar Auto Group. Heritage has a goal of serving Minerva and the surrounding area with honest diagnostics and quality repairs, and building lasting relationships.

Summitville Tiles’ history began in 1912 as the Summit Brick Company. Following World War II the second generation of the Johnson family joined the company and renamed it, beginning production of quarry tile. Now in the hands of the third and fourth generation of Johnsons, Summitville Tiles is the only charter member of the tile industry’s national trade association still in business.

Jorge Nanco Olmos opened Que Pasa in Minerva’s downtown in 2013, establishing a successful restaurant in a space where three other establishments had come and gone in previous years. Run by Jorge, his sister Jazmin Nanco, and sons Kevin and Oscar Nanco, Que Pasa supports all downtown events and is very active in the community.

The Market Street Art Spot opened in 2011 in downtown Minerva as a cooperative gallery with five resident artists. It has held a featured artist reception with live music every month except for four months during COVID, and in 2024 moved to a larger space where the eight current resident artists have expanded the available artwork, as well as offering workshops and classes.

Miller was given a standing ovation and described as “a long-standing driving force in the cultural and economic development of Minerva and a universally respected member of the community.”

A few of her contributions to the Minerva community are being a founding member of Minerva’s 20/20 Vision Committee, a precursor to the current Minerva Arts Council, a driving force in revitalizing The Minerva Community Charitable Fund, a long-time supporter of Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio, a longstanding supporter of the Minerva Chamber, owner of the Hart Mansion Restaurant, vice president of the Minerva Education and Alumni Association, and member or supporter of many other organizations.