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Dayton Chamber of Commerce Focuses on Young Leadership at Annual Breakfast
Event highlights efforts to retain and attract top talent to the Dayton region.
Apr. 14, 2026 at 8:05pm
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A modern, minimalist setup of the tools and workspace of a young professional leader in Dayton's growing business community.Today in DaytonThe Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual breakfast, drawing hundreds of local business, community, and non-profit leaders. A key focus of the event was on keeping young people living and working in Dayton so they can become the next generation of leaders. The chamber discussed recent successes like hosting the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and new business developments like the OnMain project aimed at bringing tech and research jobs to the region.
Why it matters
Retaining and attracting young talent is crucial for Dayton's continued economic growth and development. By engaging young professionals and aligning seasoned business leaders, the chamber aims to create pathways for the next wave of leadership in the Dayton community.
The details
The annual breakfast featured a panel discussion with young professionals, providing an opportunity for them to connect with more experienced business leaders. Chris Kershner, President and CEO of the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, said the goal was to "cultivate the pipeline of those leaders" and ensure Dayton can "retain and attract the best talent in the world." Recent business wins like hosting the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and the new OnMain development project were highlighted as examples of Dayton's momentum in drawing attention and investment.
- The Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual breakfast on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
- The NATO Parliamentary Assembly was previously held in downtown Dayton.
The players
Chris Kershner
President and CEO of the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce.
Joby Aviation
A new business that has come to the Miami Valley region and is looking to grow.
OnMain
A new development project aimed at bringing tech and research jobs to Dayton.
What they’re saying
“We not only proved to ourselves, but we proved to the world that Dayton is a place that can host that scale of an event.”
— Chris Kershner, President and CEO, Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce
“We know that we have to cultivate the pipeline of those leaders. And so today's program is talking about things our employers can do to ensure they're continuing to retain and attract the best talent in the world to Dayton, Ohio, so they can be a part of our future success.”
— Chris Kershner, President and CEO, Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce
What’s next
The chamber hopes the conversations and connections made at the breakfast will lead to new initiatives and programs to support young talent and leadership development in the Dayton region.
The takeaway
By focusing on retaining and attracting young professionals, the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce is taking proactive steps to cultivate the next generation of leaders who will shape the future of the Dayton community. This aligns with the city's efforts to capitalize on recent economic wins and continue drawing investment and talent to the region.
