President's Report

Hello OVBTA Members & Guests!

Welcome to our first quarterly newsletter of 2026. Hard to believe we’re already closing out the first month of the year—and what a start it has been! Record snowfalls and chilling temperatures have created significant challenges for our travelers, with forecasts indicating continued disruptions in the weeks ahead.

A heartfelt thank you to the frontline professionals who keep business moving despite these conditions—airline and airport teams, TSA, hotel staff, car rental teams, rideshare drivers, highway crews, and so many others. Your dedication does not go unnoticed.

Your OVBTA Board held a planning session in December, and one of our goals was to introduce this quarterly newsletter (a work in progress 😊) as a more streamlined way to share important updates and highlights. We are also working on a redesign of our website. If you notice any missing or outdated information, please let us know by emailing [email protected].

Next week, members of the OVBTA Board will attend the GBTA Leadership Summit US in Miami to receive global industry updates from GBTA, participate in chapter breakouts with leaders from 38 U.S. chapters, share best practices, and bring fresh ideas back to OVBTA. We’ll share key takeaways at our first-quarter education meeting in Cincinnati.

Lastly, we’ve simplified our meeting pricing structure with a modest increase. Meeting fees had not been adjusted in seven years and remain below those of most U.S. chapters. Our new pricing is:

• Members: $60

• Guests: $100

A $20 late fee will apply for registrations made within five days of the meeting.

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Calendar of Events

1^st Qtr meeting is March 5/6^th in CVG at the Cincinnati Marriott RiverCenter.  Room block closes 2/12.  Registration is open and please register for the complimentary reception if you are planning on attending under a separate registration.  (We are trying to get better numbers on the attendance for our hotel partners!). 

2^nd Qtr meeting – CLE or IND – Still pending so in need of hotel/venue partners if interested!

July - Annual Summer Socials - Open for hosting in all cities!!

3^rd Qtr meeting – IND or CLE – Still pending so in need of hotel/venue partners if interested!

4^th Qtr meeting is December 14^th/15^th in CMH at the Marriott Columbus Northwest - Thank you!

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Fundraising

Dear OVBTA Members,

Happy New Year!

We would like to extend a sincere thank you to those who have already confirmed their 2026 Sponsorship. Your partnership plays a vital role in supporting our mission, programs, and continued growth—OVBTA truly would not be what it is today without the commitment of our sponsors.

If you are still exploring ways to get involved, we offer several 2026 Annual Sponsorship opportunities, along with additional Education Day sponsorships for throughout the year. All requests will need to be submitted before 1/30/2026* 

 Yes, we are at our deadline, but if interested, please reach out to [email protected] to discuss for our annual banners!

 The past year was an exciting one for OVBTA, marked by increased engagement, new members, and strong educational programming. We’re eager to build on that success in 2026 and invite you to be part of what’s ahead. Please review sponsorship information on our website to learn more about the opportunities available.

 OVBTA values the diverse mix of buyers & suppliers within our Chapter, creating meaningful connections and high-value networking opportunities for everyone involved. We are grateful for your continued support and look forward to collaborating with you throughout 2026.

If you have any questions or would like additional information, please don’t hesitate to contact Joyce with the Sponsorship Committee at [email protected].

 Thank you again for your support.

 Warm regards,
OVBTA Sponsorship Committee

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Scholarships

Please be on the lookout for communications regarding GBTA Convention Scholarships & Legislative Scholarships in February!!  They are opening soon.

If you would like to be on the peer review, please email [email protected] for your participation.

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