Ohio economic developer annual summit held in Toledo for first time
TOLEDO – Toledo gained expanded business acumen from across the state when the Ohio Economic Development Association Annual Summit took place Wednesday through Friday in the heart of downtown.
It was the first time the professional summit was held outside of Columbus, and Thomas J. Winston, president and CEO of Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, was among the key reasons why. The summit, attended by over 450 people, hosted its meetings at the Glass City Center, where windows in the conference center provided views of Fifth Third Field and other landmarks.
Winston, who is also the 2024 chairperson of the Ohio Economic Development Association board of directors, explained that it is important to show and demonstrate the vibrancy of economic development across the state.
His idea got support, and while the 2025 site has not been determined the Toledo venue was certainly popular.
“It’s been a great success. We’ve had record attendance,” exclaimed Mark Barbash, executive director of Ohio Economic Development Institute.
OEDA represents more than 600 economic development professionals in the state, from both the public and private sectors, and in fields ranging from utilities to city planning.
“Everyone has some connection with economic development,” Barbash said.
This year’s theme was Empowering Growth: Unleashing Ohio’s Innovation Economy in Your Community.
The schedule included a luncheon speech from U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio District 9, who presented on the role of economic development toward Ohio’s future.
Other speakers included Nathan Ohle, president of the International Economic Development Council; Yvette Brown, former Ohio State Supreme Court justice; and Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development.
The session topics included:
- Considering water resources in economic growth
- ProMedica’s community partnerships in the Toledo area
- A discussion on middle housing, such as small apartment buildings
Social events included a Maumee River cruise on The Sandpiper.
The attendees could earn continuing education credit hours for Ohio economic developer certification through this conference.
“People are both encouraged by economic growth that is occurring, but they still understand there are challenges,” Barbash said as the conference began its last day.
Those who said they were impressed with the venue and programming included Perry Surber, business development manager at the Cincinnati office of Patriot Engineering and Environmental Inc. His company is based in Indianapolis.
Surber said he signed up to meet economic development professionals from across Ohio. The clients his company works with are normally busy at their home offices, but a professional conference allows more time to network and learn about upcoming projects.
It was also his first time visiting downtown Toledo.
Surber said he had passed through via I-75 numerous times while traveling into Michigan, but never had a reason to stop in the city. During conference breaks, he walked around downtown to see first-hand the city’s development and revitalization projects.
While Surber joked that the beautiful weather certainly helped with his good impressions, this initial visit will certainly not be his last.
“It made me want to come back,” he said.
