The Cincinnati Regional Chamber’s October Monthly Member Briefing brought together business and community leaders for a powerful conversation on innovation, expansion, and the shared commitment to strengthening Greater Cincinnati.
The event featured Dick Williams, Chairman & CEO of Skyline Chili, who offered an inside look at how one of Cincinnati’s most beloved brands continues to grow while staying deeply rooted in the community. The discussion also set the stage for the upcoming Regional Business Summit, where leaders will examine how collaboration and sustainability are fueling the region’s future economic success.
A Cincinnati Classic Expands Its Reach
Skyline Chili has long been a Cincinnati staple, but under Williams’ leadership, the company is increasingly looking beyond its regional roots. “Our blessing and our curse is the tie we have to the local region… Our digital expansion, our social media presence, our online distribution, our partnerships with Kroger, our retail presence. Now in 40 states, you can walk into grocery stores… and get Skyline off the shelves.” – Dick Williams
Innovation is at the heart of Skyline’s expansion. New products like chicken chili and breakfast burritos cater to diverse consumer preferences, while shelf-stable trays bring convenience to customers’ homes, offices, and schools. Collaborations—ranging from frozen pizzas with Dewey’s to chili ice cream with Graeter’s—demonstrate a playful yet strategic approach to brand growth. Williams emphasized that staying true to the brand while adapting to change is critical: “We have to pay attention to change…we talk a lot about our one true north, right? Your one true north is chili.”
Economic Insights and Sustainable Growth
The briefing also highlighted the upcoming Regional Business Summit, an event designed to give executives, entrepreneurs, and business owners actionable insights for navigating the region’s economic landscape. Panelists will explore opportunities and challenges for mid-size businesses and entrepreneurs, examining how the local economy is performing and where growth potential lies. Sessions will also delve into sustainability, sharing how companies are embedding environmentally and socially responsible practices into their operations, supply chains, and investment strategies to ensure long-term resilience. Attendees can expect in-depth discussions on supply chain dynamics, strategies for building stronger networks, and innovative approaches for accessing capital to fuel both growth and sustainability initiatives.
By bringing together expertise from finance, business leadership, and economic development, the summit will demonstrate how collaboration across sectors can create practical solutions and foster sustainable growth throughout the region.
Social Enterprise and Collective Impact
As the conversation shifted toward community impact, one story in particular captured the heart of what it means to lead with purpose. Pam Green, President & CEO of Easter Seals Redwood, shared how her organization is redefining what it means to do good business—by proving that profit and purpose can go hand in hand.
Through a network of social enterprises, Easter Seals Redwood creates real, sustainable employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, military veterans, and people overcoming economic challenges. These ventures don’t just provide jobs—they open doors to independence, confidence, and a sense of belonging. “We believe in the power of purpose and the power of work,” Green said. “Our goal is to empower children, adults with disabilities, military veterans, and people facing disadvantages to live full and meaningful lives.”
Green challenged business leaders in the room to look at their own supply chains and partnerships through that same lens of impact. Her message was simple: the next great business decision might also be one that strengthens the community.“If you have an opportunity to work with a vendor that meets all your quality standards—and at the same time strengthens our community—why wouldn’t you do it?”
Her remarks served as a reminder that Cincinnati’s economic growth is most powerful when it’s inclusive, when success is measured not just by numbers, but by the lives and neighborhoods it uplifts.
A Unifying Theme: Innovation, Collaboration, and Community
Whether through Skyline Chili’s creative growth strategies, the economic insights shared at the Regional Business Summit, or the mission-driven work of Easter Seals Redwood, a common thread emerged: Cincinnati thrives when innovation, collaboration, and community impact intersect.
From business excellence to social responsibility, the briefing demonstrated how Greater Cincinnati’s organizations are uniting to create opportunity, empower people, and build a sustainable, inclusive future.
Whats Next
As we continue exploring the intersection of business, culture, and community leadership, we invite you to join us for our November Monthly Member Briefing on Wednesday, November 13 from 8–9 a.m. Our keynote speaker will be Robert McGrath, President & CEO of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, who will share insights on how the arts drive regional vitality and economic growth. Register Now for November’s Monthly Member Briefing.
To view past Monthly Member Briefing episodes, click here