Hoping to increase local awareness and use of big data analytics, the University of Akron will host the Business Analytics Innovation Summit next month.

The event will go from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 13, at Quaker Station in downtown Akron, the university announced on Wednesday, Aug. 8.

The list of presenters shows there are already some heavy hitters in Northeast Ohio when it comes to big data. Those speaking at the summit will include Rob Heiser, co-founder of Akron-based Segmint, which has grown to become a national provider of big data analytics to banks and other large businesses.

Other presenters will include Sherry Neubert, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.'s chief information officer; Gerard Daher, CEO of Mayfield Heights-based Speedeon Data; Eric Hixson, senior program administrator for business intelligence at the Cleveland Clinic; and Mitchell Campbell, Oracle's director of business analytics.

Scott Arbogast, managing partner of Seven Hills-based Blue Chip Consulting Group, will serve as master of ceremonies.

The University of Akron says that while many managers are aware of the importance of big data, too many of them still don't grasp how to use it to their advantage.

"According to a recent article in MIT Sloan Management Review, 59 percent of managers reported they are using analytics to gain a competitive advantage, yet only 20 percent of their firms are considered analytic innovators, and 34 percent stated they are 'analytically challenged," the release stated.

"We selected practitioners and representatives of companies that are thought leaders in business analytics within their unique domains," said Bindiganavale S. Vijayaraman, director of UA's Center for IT and eBusiness and a professor, in a statement. "They were chosen to share their experience and vision and how their companies are leveraging analytics to enhance their organization's performance."

The event costs $75 for the public and $50 for university staff and students.