OSAE Executive News Summer 2021

What Makes Athens County the Place to Be?
By Mary T. Ciesa, OSAE 2021 Annual Conference Liaison and OSAE/OSAE Foundation Board Member
A
s the liaison for this year’s OSAE annual
conference, I get the fun job of telling you why
should be a part of this great conference: First –
it’s the first time most of us will have been in the same
room (Zoom doesn’t count) since December 2019
when we gathered for the OSAE
Foundation Holiday Luncheon and
Silent Auction. The second reason is
even simpler: Check out the schedule
of speakers and educational offerings!
Frankly, I am glad this has been my
job: It’s simple to do and there is really
CIESA
is little reason why you shouldn’t be
joining us in Athens County this year!
When I look back on all the years I’ve been a
member of OSAE, I am amazed at the relationships
and connections that the organization has helped me
make both professionally and personally. Let’s face
it: Last year created new obstacles and challenges
for many of us, myself included. But we’re coming to
the end of the pandemic, and this annual conference
will allow us to gather with our peers, learn from
and alongside our friends and did I mention go to
Athens for the first time in the organization’s 83-year
history? For those who know me, when I do anything,
I make a full commitment. If I am willing to put my
name on something, then I want to have ultimate
pride in the product – that includes my career – and
my involvement with OSAE. I value the friendships,
resources and family I receive with my membership.
I hope to see you make a similar investment.
Learn.
I am committed to lifelong learning and belonging to an
industry that affords me opportunities to grow and learn more.
I attend OSAE’s annual conference every year because the
conferences provide high-quality education – at a great price!
In 2021, every dollar counts. This year, we are offering
15 breakout sessions, in addition to four general sessions
taking deep dives into issues all businesses are facing in this
ever-changing marketplace. You will find no greater return
on your investment than when you attend OSAE’s
annual conference.
Connect.
Organizations face a changing landscape every day and no
one understands your concerns like someone who is facing similar
ones. For three days in July, you will be surrounded by your peers,
and you will have the opportunity to ask questions, seek guidance
and share best practices. You will come away with answers and
solutions that you can’t find in a Google search.
Did I mention the annual conference is fun? While we
gather throughout the year for other education opportunities,
the annual conference is the largest gathering of the association
community in Ohio – and you don’t want to miss out. This is
your chance to meet, network and connect with the industry’s
movers and the shakers – and for them to meet you.
Inspire.
Hands-on learning always creates opportunities to inspire
and drive innovation. This year’s conference is so different.
What is different is that we’re traveling to a great location
that’s different than anywhere we’ve ever called “home” for
the annual conference. While we largely come to the annual
conference every year for the education and the networking,
we also realize it’s important to recognize the needs of the
community that is opening its doors to our group. You’ll find out
about many ways you can help strengthen Athens County while
you’re at this year’s meeting.
THANK YOU.
We are grateful to Athens County CVB
for putting together our evening event on
Thursday, July 22 and for creating a tour
on Wednesday that we can use to both
build relationships with each other and
provide a “thank you” to Athens County
and its business leaders. Thank you to
our wonderful committees for putting
together such a great program. Trust me
when I say your hours of work are very
much appreciated. And thank you to our
tremendous OSAE staff team. We know
how hard they work – and, because of
what we know, they have to do it under
our microscope
I do hope you will join me in Athens in
July. The 2021 annual conference is right
around the corner. Make sure to register
early to get the early-bird discount!
SEE YOU IN
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