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| | Registration opens tomorrow for the 2026 OHLA Annual Conference & Gala, November 23–24 at the Hyatt Regency Columbus.
Under this year’s theme, “Navigating the Horizon: Shaping Tomorrow Together,” the conference brings hospitality professionals from across Ohio together to learn, connect, and look ahead. With timely industry conversations, leadership insights, the Allied Network Tradeshow, and the Ohio Stars of the Industry Gala, there will be plenty of opportunities to make meaningful connections and take ideas back to your property and team.
We’re looking forward to bringing the industry together and seeing you there!
Interested in Volunteering? Please contact Committee Chair, Holly Hollingsworth at holly@cogwheelmarketing.com. |
| | Reserve your exhibitor booth at the largest gathering of lodging professionals in the state! If you are interested in expanding your brand visibility, there are still sponsorship opportunities available. Contact sara@ohla.org if interested. Exhibitor registration goes live, Thursday, October 8th. |
Top | | What a season of celebration! The 2026 Regional Stars of the Industry Luncheons brought hospitality professionals together across Dayton, Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati to recognize the incredible people who go above and beyond for Ohio’s lodging industry.
From celebrating this year’s nominees to reconnecting with colleagues and cheering on coworkers, each luncheon was a great reminder of the people who make our industry so special. Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make these events such a fun and meaningful celebration.
But the celebration isn’t over just yet! Our Regional Stars will now move on to the next round, where they’ll compete for statewide titles at the 2026 OHLA Annual Conference & Gala. We can’t wait to see who takes home the top honor.
Congratulations to all of our 2026 Regional Stars, and thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s luncheons unforgettable!
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Top | | We are currently preparing our 2027 Allied Directory, and we need your assistance to ensure your listing is accurate by Wednesday, October 21.
If we do not receive updated information by the deadline, your 2026 directory listing will be reused as-is for the upcoming edition. |
Top | | What does Ohio’s new gas tax holiday mean for consumers, businesses, and the state’s travel economy? Get the details on the temporary tax suspension, along with an update on OHLA-backed legislation aimed at addressing car theft and break-ins affecting businesses and destinations across Ohio, in the full update. |
Top | | Akron/Canton Mixer is October 15 at Caston & Main Brew Yard, Akron.
Join us for an OHLA happy hour mixer designed to reconnect, reenergize, and grow our hospitality community. The Akron/Canton regional Membership Mixer brings together property members and allied partners for a relaxed, engaging opportunity to build meaningful connections. This is your chance to help shape a stronger, more connected local network—one conversation at a time.
Stop by for complimentary drinks and appetizers while connecting with fellow industry professionals. Whether you’re a longtime member or exploring what OHLA has to offer, enjoy networking, sharing ideas, and building valuable industry relationships. |
| | As a member you gain access to essential resources, expert advocacy and a dynamic statewide network dedicated to your success. Whether it’s staying ahead of regulatory changes, celebrating industry excellence, or growing your professional connections, your membership ensures you remain informed, empowered and positioned for continued growth in an ever-evolving industry. |
| | If you love connecting with people and have ideas about how we can grow and engage our association, this is a great way to get involved.
Membership Committee is open to all OHLA members. If you are interested and want to learn more or if you have a suggestion of potential committee member, please reach out to Sara@ohla.org |
Top | | Explore sponsorship opportunities for the 2026 OHLA Annual Conference & Gala, the largest gathering of lodging professionals in Ohio. The Sponsorship Guide outlines a variety of ways to get involved, from high-visibility conference sponsorships to the Gala, networking events, sessions, and more.
Contact Sara Tennyson-Harlan at Sara@ohla.org to sign up! Click “Read More” to see how you can engage and what each involvement can do for your company. |
Top | | Join us for an exclusive afternoon, on October 22, where we will connect, learn, and grow in a vibrant, upscale setting. We will enjoy evening refreshments while engaging in meaningful conversations with the General Manager of Hotel Celare, Frank Arena, and gain insider insights on leadership, hospitality, and career advancement. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to expand your network, elevate your perspective, and be inspired alongside like-minded peers. |
Top | | Ohio welcomed nearly 245 million visits in 2025, generating almost $58 billion in economic impact. Behind those numbers are hotel teams helping people gather, conduct business, and discover communities across our state. Their expertise deserves a place in Ohio’s tourism story.
For meeting planners, corporate travel buyers, and group organizers, choosing a hotel means putting trust in the people delivering the experience. A property’s photos and amenities tell part of that story. Hearing how its leaders approach a challenge can add something valuable.
Business audiences appreciate that substance. In Edelman and LinkedIn’s 2024 study, 73% of B2B decision-makers considered thought leadership a more trustworthy way to evaluate a company’s capabilities than conventional marketing materials. While the research spans industries, it offers a useful takeaway for hospitality: share knowledge that helps prospective clients make better decisions. |
| | Workers' Compensation & Safety Updates
This month, Sedgwick’s Risk Services Newsletter highlights important workplace safety topics and timely resources to help employers protect their teams. The October issue covers combustible dust and preventing dust explosions, National Protect Your Hearing Month, workplace ergonomics, opioid awareness, and OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Programs, offering practical guidance for identifying hazards, preventing injuries, and promoting a safer workplace.
Together, these resources provide valuable information to help employers strengthen safety practices, recognize and address potential risks, support employee well-being, and create a safer and healthier work environment. |
| | What Cogwheel’s Saying: Smart Takes Worth Reading
Earlier this year, OpenAI started testing ChatGPT ads in the US for Free and ChatGPT-Go tiers. OTAs like Expedia were quick to jump on the bandwagon.
Cogwheel Marketing applied and was accepted into the OpenAI ChatGPT beta as of June 2026. |
| | Merchant Advocate is a trusted partner that helps businesses uncover hidden credit card processing fees, correct billing errors, optimize account configurations, negotiate lower costs, and protect savings through ongoing monitoring—all without switching processors. With more than $300 million saved for clients, getting started couldn’t be easier. Simply provide a few recent merchant statements; there are no upfront costs or heavy lifting. Merchant Advocate only gets paid when savings are achieved. |
Top | | Join Women In Lodging for a fun evening of cocktails, conversation, and connection at The Vick Rooftop Bar at Hotel Celare! On Thursday, October 29, enjoy a hands-on mixology experience where you’ll learn to craft two drinks while enjoying light bites from the chef and getting to know fellow hospitality professionals. It’s the perfect way to unwind, mix things up, and connect with the Cincinnati lodging community. Tickets are $20 per person and include two drinks and light bites. |
| | The WIL Advisory Council is kicking off their collection drive for students transitioning into the workplace by collecting small items that can help them walk into their first interviews and first days with confidence.
Collections will be held at the Regional Stars of the Industry Awards and Annual Conference. Click "Read More" for a list of our collection items. |
Top | | OHLA’s staff, board, committees and members are extremely happy to welcome new team member Brenna Smith, as the association’s new Director of Events.
Brenna joins OHLA with extensive experience in meeting planning and events, including as an Event Producer for Cameron Mitchell Premier Events, where she was part of a successful and award-winning organization recognized for its ability to create quality, spectacular experiences. She brings that skill and enthusiasm with her to OHLA, where she looks forward to working alongside our members and volunteers to continue to raise the bar for everything we do. |
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Upcoming Events
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October 22, 2026
4:00PM - 6:00PM | Hotel Celare310 Straight St, Cincinnati, OH 45219 |
| October 29, 2026
4:00PM - 6:00PM EDT | The Vick Rooftop Bar - Hotel Celare |
| November 19, 2026
10:00AM - 11:00AM | Online Webinar |
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