The 2026 EPIC Toledo Golf Outing was a HUGE success! We were so excited to host this event once again at Belmont Country Club, pairing up 18 teams of established community leaders with our emerging young professional leaders. Between 18 holes played in perfect weather, light competition for a chance to win gift cards to the pro shop, and a delicious luncheon with drinks and great conversation, the EPIC Toledo Golf Outing fostered connection and fun.

EPIC Toledo showed up for an unforgettable evening with Chef Kengo Kato—rolling sushi, learning the craft, and getting a behind-the-scenes experience you can’t find just anywhere.

The evening began with drinks and networking with Chef Kengo, Anneke Kurt, and the rest of Kengo Sushi's incredible staff. Once everyone found their station (complete with all the materials to roll the sushi and some Goldfish and Swedish Fish to boot), Chef Kengo gave a brief overview of the history of his experience and his restaurant. Then, it was time to get rolling.

Chef Kengo's goal was to teach us how to make two custom rolls. We learned the proper technique and design of rolling a spicy crab roll and a tuna roll, after which Chef Kengo cut each roll and added ginger and wasabi for the ultimate taste test. 

The results? A sushi success! The attendees enjoyed their rolls, learned a new skill, and kicked back for a private party in the restaurant after. It was the perfect mix of learning, networking, and straight-up fun.

Good vibes, great company, and seriously amazing sushi... what else could we ask for?

If you missed this one… just know we’ve always got events like this on the horizon for EPIC Toledo members.

EPIC Toledo spent our Wednesday volunteering with Bittersweet Farms! A group of 10 of us went to Whitehouse to learn more about the group, tour the property, then dove right in taking care of maintenance and yardwork to help enhance the homestead and its residents!
The mission of Bittersweet Farms is to positively impact the lives of individuals with autism and those whose lives they touch. Bittersweet engages in a model which employs meaning and motivation, aerobic activity, partnership and planning, and structure and support. This provides a community of interdependence and a holistic and healthy environment in which the potential of each participant is envisioned and developed. Every interaction is a lesson in reciprocal communication, relationship building, and mutual cooperation between staff and participant.
Gardens Specialist Beth Kuntz-Wineland led the charge for EPIC member assignments that day, and gave us some information regarding how our work helped Bittersweet Farms:

"Thanks to the amazing EPIC volunteers, who brought organization and ease to our storage greenhouse by compiling similar items together, properly setting aside our extra hoses for storage, and cleaned all aisles for better navigation, and pulled weeds out of 14 raised beds, spread organic compost, raked the beds level in preparation for planting, and learned how to use our Earthway seeder to seed 2 beds of spinach and 2 beds of beets! These crops will go to source our residential homes with healthy, hyperlocal organically grown produce, as well as stock our free pantry for staff! This tremendous boost early in the season will help our Gardens team be able to grow food to share within the Bittersweet community and beyond, as 100% of produce grown will be donated to the Bittersweet community and also to local food pantries and animal rescues throughout the year."

Check out more photos from the volunteer event, below:

Basketball fans and EPIC friends alike came to the Hollywood Casino for our March Madness social!
We had a great time in the Sportsbook private lounge, with EPIC Advisory, existing members, and new members!

Rudolph Libbe Group's generous sponsorship provided food from the Hollywood Casino Toledo's restaurants for guests to enjoy. Attendees were encouraged to grab a drink, enjoy the lounge, and wander around the casino to play games and try their luck.

With over 70 attendees, it was a great opportunity for networking, connection, and a lot of basketball. Check out some of our event photos, below:

​Some members opted to stay inside the park's facility, enjoying appetizers from The Garden by Poco Piatti and a less chaotic atmosphere to get to know one another and make meaningful connections. 

If you missed this event don't worry – we have plenty more coming up! Check out our calendar for more information, and look at some of the pictures from our Skate & Socialize event, below:  

Give us a little background about your life
I am Northwest Ohio born and raised. I grew up in Waterville and graduated from Anthony Wayne.  I met my wife Sidney in high school, and we have now been married for 3 years. We moved to uptown Maumee, and love being close to uptown -- especially Sidecut to go out for food and drinks. Now, my wife and I have a 3-month-old son. I graduated from Miami University in Oxford and came back to Toledo to work as a Financial Advisor at Savage & Associates since. In my free time, you can find me on the golf course, coaching baseball, or spending time in Northern Michigan in the summers. 

How did you get involved with EPIC Toledo?
I was a part of Summer In the City, the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce's intern engagement program, between my junior and senior years of college. I loved the programming and networking opportunities that it provided, one of which being EPIC Toledo. After I graduated and started working full time, I got engaged in EPIC Toledo and have been a part of it ever since. Networking is so important within so many phases of life, and EPIC provides a great avenue for young professionals to grow their networks. 

What leadership skills have you learned from being involved with EPIC?
Relationship Building, Strategic planning, Communication.

What's been your greatest professional accomplishment to date?
Finding a place that allows me to go to work every day and help create a meaningful difference in people's lives while giving me the balance needed to start and raise a family.

Why Toledo? What keeps you here?
To me, it was a no-brainer.  Cost of living is strong, the business atmosphere is robust, and the ability to raise a family and send kids to great local schools is unmatched. Things like the Metroparks, Zoo, Walleye and Mud Hens, food and music events are the icing on the cake. 

Best advice for other young professionals?
Be intentional in everything you to. You will get out of things what you put in - and that couldn't be more true in EPIC.  I have been involved with EPIC for years and have made some great business connections, but have made incredible friendships as well.


What is your vision for EPIC 2026? In a year from now, what does the organization look like to you?
A successful year as chair for me would be further engaging our members - both individual and corporate - to our great opportunities and programming. We have some amazing opportunities planned for 2026 that will give our members chances to experience all that Toledo has to offer: From socials to hearing from some area business leaders, we are networking, learning, and growing more every year. 
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What's something about you people might not know?
I have been known to sing karaoke from time to time...

EPIC Toledo is thrilled to announce our Advisory Council for 2026! We are grateful to have such passionate young professionals helping us bring the vision of EPIC to life. Led by Chair Andrew Smigelski (pictured top left), EPIC Toledo's Advisory Council helps by creating and executing programming, helping with strategy for attraction and retention, and advocating for the advancement of young professionals in our Toledo region!

Your 2026 Advisory Council members are:

Guests gathered at The Mez from 5 pm to 7 pm, enjoying drinks, light snacks, and plenty of conversation with professionals shaping the future of media, marketing, and communications in our region. It was a vibrant event filled with new relationships, shared ideas, and a strong sense of community.
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Thanks to everyone who joined us and helped make our final social of the year a memorable one!