The Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival department of Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce and Pro Football Hall of Fame have named the following committee chairs: Gina Bannevich, Fan Appreciation Parties; Scott Robertson, Autographs; and Pete Truemper, Grand Parade.
Bannevich graduated from Tuscarawas Central Catholic High School and University of Mount Union and completed coursework at the Corporate University at Kent State University. She is currently marketing director at Belden Village Mall. A member of the Fan Appreciation Tailgate Party committee since 2002, this is her fourth year as chairman. Her community volunteer efforts include board member for The Golden Key for Exceptional Children and Spectrum Education, a 28th Class graduate of Leadership Stark County and a member of International Council of Shopping Centers. She and husband Jason have a son and a daughter.
Bannevich chairs eight fantastic exclusive fan parties hosting over 5,000 fans celebrating the weekend events. The events, held on Hall of Fame grounds include gatherings prior to the Gold Jacket Ceremony starting on Thursday evening followed by fan events prior to the Concert of Legends, Enshrinement and Game respectively on August 5-7 this year.
Bannevich is assisted by Valerie Nash.
Robertson has served on the Autograph Committee for many years, and this is his second as chairman. A graduate of Marlington High School and University of Akron, he is owner and president of Robertson Heating Supply. He is an active participant with Greater Alliance Foundation, Alliance Area Development Foundation, American Supply Association, and North American Wholesalers Association. He and his wife Cheryl have five children.
Together with the help of vice chairman Frank Leopold, the committee oversees the sessions where fans have the opportunity to preserve football memories with autographs from the current Class of Enshrinees as well as some of the previous inductees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Truemper was born in Germany, is a graduate of the former Glenwood High School., and is serving his first year as chairman of the Grand Parade committee. He served The Timken Company as a tool and die journeyman and retired from there as a plant quality manager. He is a 30-year Enshrinement Festival volunteer, having also served as chairman of the Community Parade and Security and Logistics committees. He is a member of the North Lawrence Fish and Gun Club and the Massillon Railroad Club and is a trustee at First United Methodist Church. He and wife Cathy, also a long-time Enshrinement Festival volunteer, are the proud parents of one daughter.
He will partner with vice chairman Drew Felberg to attend to the myriad of details involved in staging this family event. The Grand Parade will step off at 8 a.m., Sat., Aug. 6. It will be enjoyed by nearly 200,000 spectators along the 2.2 mile route, as well as by millions more via the television broadcast. The parade will feature the current Class of Enshrinees, a large contingent of Hall of Famers, marching bands, giant helium balloons, fabulous floats, and animal and specialty units. Call 330.458.2048 now to guarantee a bird’s-eye view of all the units by purchasing reserved chairs or bleacher seats for only $9 each.