The Akron Press Club invites you to meet the new owner of the Akron Aeros, Ken Babby, for a lunch at Canal Park complete with ballpark food. Press Club members also will get one free ticket for the game against the Bowie Baysox that night, as well as a behind-the-scenes tour of the ballpark, and fireworks will follow the game.
Additional tickets may be purchased for $7 each.
This special lunch will be held at the home of the 2012 Eastern League champion Akron Aeros, on Friday, May 3, at 11:45 a.m. The program will follow. And Babby will be answering questions after his speech.
All-you-can eat food will include burgers, hot dogs, chips, coleslaw, cookies, water and soda. Veggie burgers or alternatives may be requested in advance.
Lunch seating is limited, so reserve your spot nowy.
Babby became sole owner of the Aeros in October, purchasing the team from longtime owners Mike and Greg Agganis. He comes from sports family. His father, Lon, is president of the NBA's Phoenix Suns and a former sports agent.
Ken Babby earned degrees at Johns Hopkins University and Wheaton College. He has a background in journalism, as well as sports; he’s a former chief revenue officer/general manager of digital at the Washington Post, where he spent 12 years.
Babby attended a number of Aeros games in 2012 before buying the Double A Indians affiliate.
"I'm an obsessive fan of experience at these ballparks," Babby told the Beacon Journal. "There's something very special about it from the time you leave your car and walk into the ballpark. From when you first smell the ballpark food, to your first interaction with an usher. When you engage with team personnel, maybe in the kids' fun zone, or watching the game itself or tasting that first hot dog, there's something very unique about it. Our organization will be absolutely obsessed with fan experience - that's our mission."
Please indicate when you make your reservation if you are interested in attending the game.
Details:
Speaker: Ken Babby, owner of the Akron Aeros.
Time: Luncheon begins at 11:45 a.m., Friday, May 3. Program follows.
Place: Canal Park, 300 South Main Street, Akron.
Cost: $15 for Press Club members, including the game ticket; $20 for non-members, lunch only; $25 for non-members including the game ticket.
Reservations required by April 26: Call 330-564-4211, email RSVP@cmoresearch.com or go to www.cmoresearch.com/apc
The Akron Press Club was founded in 1971 to promote a free press and serve local journalists and public relations professionals. The group has a rich heritage of offering newsmakers a forum to discuss issues of the day at Press Club luncheons and speaking events that are open to the public. The club also funds scholarships for journalists and public relations students and sponsors annual fundraising and community outreach events.