Presenting Sponsor: The University of Akron Jean Hower Taber Student Union Conference and Event Services

To make the very first ZipsGuide "Made in the 330 Monday" Holiday Market possible, the Jean Hower Taber Student Union Conference and Event Services team donated the cost of the space rental and are our presenting sponsor. Looking for an amazing space for an event space in Akron? The Jean Hower Taber Student Union is a 192,500 square foot blended-use facility located in the heart of The University of Akron Campus. Named for Jean Hower Taber, to honor her longtime volunteerism, philanthropy and dedication to the University, the space serves as a hub of resources for students, faculty, staff and others while doubling as an event and conference space for external clients. Thank you to the staff members who have been instrumental in making this possible including Director Brandon Alexander, Assistant Director Mandi Rinaldi and Coordinator of Scheduling & Events, Kelsey Loeper as well as the rest of their team. Connect with them for your event...

Children's Area Sponsor: Mr. Jeff

Mr. Jeff donated his performance for the ZipsGuide "Made in the 330 Monday" Holiday Market, as well as the entertainment for the entire Mr. Jeff's Holiday Dance Party. We are beyond grateful for his and his family's involvement in this event. If you want to help us say thank you, you can book Mr. Jeff for a private concert, attend his Loud in the Library 2025 Tour Stops, suggest him to your local library or sign up your child for music lessons with him. Thank you Mr. Jeff! Connect with Mr. Jeff...

Cookie  Cocoa Sponsor: Downtown Akron Partnership

Downtown Akron Partnership is our community partner for ZipsGuide. Beyond their successful efforts to grow and enhance Downtown Akron, they are also partnered with many on campus entities like the University of Akron Ambassadors and other classes and community-engaged projects. It takes work on the part of these partners to give these opportunities to students. Today, DAP also sponsored the Cookie and Cocoa table. Thank you for the Zippy Cookies DAP! Connect with Downtown Akron Partnership...

Student Experience Sponsor: The University of Akron Division of Student Affairs

The University of Akron Division of Student Affairs supported the student learning experience by providing the promotion budget for the Public Relations Strategic Campaigns course. Their generous assistance allowed students to print the postcards, yard signs and bring Zippy-Claus to the event. In addition, several departments under the division contributed. Campus Programs assisted with the planning of the event and space reservation, the Jean Hower Taber Student Union donated their reservation fee in-kind and ZipAssist is bringing their postcard event to the market. Special thanks to Dr. John Messina, VP of student affairs, Abigail Ernst and Tiffany Schmidt from campus programs, Brittany Mike-Ferguson from student life and Ali Doehring from ZipAssist. Thanks to all of the Division of Student Affairs for your amazing support. Want to thank the Division of Student Affairs? Recommend your high school student connections consider attending The University of Akron.

The University of Akron EXL Center

The EXL Center makes ZipsGuide possible by supporting two Akron Community Internship Program interns each semester who have previously taken a community engaged course working with ZipsGuide. Thanks to EXL, these interns have the opportunity to put what they learned into further practice and reinforce skills learned throughout their program in a paid internship with Downtown Akron Partnership. Thank you EXL Center! Want to thank the EXL? Form a Community Partnership with UA or recommend your high school student connections consider attending The University of Akron.

The University of Akron Office of University Communications and Marketing

Our public relations students are lucky to have access to world-class professionals right here on campus. Special thanks to Sarah Steidl for the donation of the Zippy Gingerbread Stickers, as well as for her assistance with our paid social media campaign elements. Thanks to Ally Temsey, the UA social media maven who helped us share our message across Zips Nation. Thanks to Michelle Banis, who does outreach for Alumni who shared our content with our alums. Thanks to Cristine Boyd and Jessica Whitehill for their help with press. Thanks to Anthony Serpette who helped with our registration pages.  Finally, a big thank you to Colleen Lazzaretti, who made sure our event made it in to Zipmail and The Digest. Want to thank our Marketing team? Recommend your high school student connections consider attending The University of Akron.

Door Prize Raffle Donors:

Thanks to all of the vendors who donated to the door prize raffle including: The Salty Hive Candle Co., Gothic and Goddess Dreams, Northside Marketplace, Uncommon Pineapple, Glamour Edge Beauty, Pumpkin Designs, Cozy Cat Atelier, From Recipes, Mama T's Seasonings and Spices, Inner Arts and Healing, Stitches and Sews 330, 224 Creations, Smile Inside, Global Ties/Global Threads, Happiness Designs, Keerie Layne Creative, The Art of it All, Full Bloom Remix, Akron Rubber Ducks, Jerry Cannon Photography, Zinke Apiary, From Nonna's Hands, Simply Me Jewelry, JillyJelly Designs, MC's Pics, Era Envy, A'zarion Grace, University of Akron Communication and Marketing, South Paw Stitches, Ms. Takes By the Lake, WZIP 88.1 FM, The UA Mechanical Engineering Advanced Materials Lab and Mr. Jeff.

Elizabeth Lattime, ZipsGuide Intern and Event Coordinator

Elizabeth is a post-baccalaureate student, planning to start her masters in the near future, who joined ZipsGuide this past summer in Public Relations Publications, where she created a mini-zine that featured Akron Pride. For the market, you'll see Beths' work and ideas in every vendor's table signs, and in multiple areas of coordination including the doorprize raffle and welcome table.

Thank you Beth!

Taylor Loftin, ZipsGuide Intern and Event Coordinator

Taylor Loftin is a senior Public Relations major who runs a multimedia platform for creatives called Platinum22 . Taylor's first experience with ZipsGuide was in PR Writing, where she researched and wrote a feature on 224 Creations. For the market, you'll see Taylor's work and ideas across multiple areas of coordination and specifically in the scavenger hunt, which she planned and designed. Taylor also created a brand guide for ZipsGuide that has been used for the market campaign, but will be even more instrumental in the future.

Thank you Taylor!

Timara Berry, Volunteer Coordinator

Timara is a senior Public Relations major who first connected with ZipsGuide this past summer in Public Relations Publications, where she created a mini-zine on small businesses in downtown, particularly beauty brands. Timara works with Serve Akron, and helped build a partnership between Serve Akron and ZipsGuide to plan the Campus Cupboard Drive and Card Making Tables. Timara also recruited and is coordinating all of the volunteers you see at today's Market.

Thank you Timara!