Impact Ohio will hold the Southeast Regional Conference on Friday, November 19, from 8:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Stuart’s Opera House (52 Public Square, Nelsonville, Ohio 45764). Key government officials, business leaders, and community members will discuss issues important to the region. At the conference, attendees will hear first-hand from government leaders, political analysts, pundits, and policy experts on issues that affect their community. For more details and registration, click here.

Conference speakers:

• The Honorable Keith Faber, Ohio Auditor of State
• The Honorable Frank LaRose, Ohio Secretary of State
• The Honorable Jay Edwards, Ohio House of Representatives
• The Honorable Jason Stephens, Ohio House of Representatives
• John Carey, Director, Governor’s Office of Appalachia
• Rachel Johanson, Deputy Director, Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation
• Glen Cobb, Chief of the Division of Parks and Watercraft, Ohio Department of Natural Resources
• Tom Hodson, Director Emeritus of WOUB Public Media and the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University
• Kara Willis, Regional Talent Manager, Ohio Southeast Economic Development
• John McCarthy, Interim Dean of the College of Health Sciences and Professions at Ohio University
• Sam Miller, Development Director, Buckeye Hills Regional Council
• Jessie Powers, Executive Director, Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia
• Glenda Bumgarner, CEO, Appalachian Partnership, Inc.
• Steve Evans, Founder, Steve Evans Country Sausage

Panelists will explore three different public policy areas:

• Boosting Small Businesses in Southeast Ohio
  Developing and supporting existing industries and businesses is important to their success and that of the region. Many businesses need financing or technical assistance to grow. During this panel, experts will explore how Southeast Ohio can invest in small businesses and entrepreneurship to enhance business development. 
  Leveraging Ohio’s Natural Assets as a Strategy for Economic Development
  Southeast Ohio is rich in natural resources, including the Ohio River, Wayne National Forest, and the Hocking Hills Region. During this session, panelists will discuss how Southeast Ohio can harness its natural assets to increase outdoor recreation while supporting long-term economic growth and preserving natural resources.
• Enhancing the Region’s Workforce Ecosystem 
  Before the pandemic, there were discussions about redefining workforces and workplaces. These conversations about Ohio’s workforce ecosystem, however, have shifted in a new direction. In this session, panelists will discuss how the region’s workforce is evolving and the systems that must be strengthened in order ensure an excelling workforce in Southeast Ohio.

Join Us at the OU Inn

There will be a Pre-Conference Networking Reception at The Ohio University Inn & Conference Center the evening before the 2021 Impact Ohio Southeast Regional Conference. You can register for the reception when you register for the conference.

• Thursday, November 18, 2021, 5:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m.
• The Ohio University Inn & Conference Center, 331 Richland Ave, Athens, Ohio 45701.
• If you have any questions about the reception please email us at info@impactohio.org.

About Impact Ohio

Since its inception in 1984, Impact Ohio has connected people, policy, and politics by offering information-packed conferences to explore elections, outcomes of the political process, and policy choices facing Ohio and its communities. Business, political, and community leaders recognize Impact Ohio as a valuable forum for policy discussion.