Meeting/Event Information
We are excited to host our 3rd Quarter 2026 meeting at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel, IN! We are currently finalizing our speaker lineup and will continue our AI Pulse series. The full agenda will be shared soon.
Based on positive feedback, we’ll be bringing back our Kahoot! quizzes in a fun and engaging way. We will also provide an update on our chapter’s progress toward the 2026 goals. As always, the day will be filled with valuable education, meaningful networking, and a strong return on your investment of time and membership.
This quarter, we’ve introduced a separate complimentary registration for the networking event. You only need to sign up for this if you are not attending the Education Day. If you are registered for Education Day, your networking attendance is already included—no need to register twice. We appreciate your patience as we continue improving our website to better meet our needs.
A sincere thank you to our annual sponsors, who will be featured on our banner display throughout the year and in our social media. We also extend our gratitude to Hotel Carmichael for their generous venue sponsorship. Additional sponsorship opportunities may be available—our communications reach an audience of over 800, so stay tuned if you're interested.
We look forward to seeing you in Carmel, IN this September!
April 2012 Meeting
April 26, 2012
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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Sheraton Cleveland Airport Hotel
5300 Riverside Dr
Cleveland, OH 44135
Directions
OVBTA April 2012 Meeting
Wednesday - Thursday, April 25 - 26
Sheraton Cleveland Airport Hotel
Cleveland, OH
Sheraton Cleveland Airport Hotel is offering a special rate of $99 prior to April 11, 2012. To confirm your overnight guestroom, please use this link:
https://www.starwoodmeeting.com/Book/ohvalleybta
Charity: This meeting we are supporting Dress for Success, a charity designed to promote the independence of women economically disadvantaged, and facing barriers to employment by providing them with professional attire, a support network, and the career development tools to help them thrive in work and in life. Please support this meetings charity with a financial donation (accepted at our meeting), or with used business attire and accessories such as: suits and separates in sizes 1 and 2; suits and separates in sizes 16 and up; portfolios and/or carrying cases; shoes size 9 and up -- pumps with 3" heels or less and flat shoes; insulated overall & coveralls; work boots (steel-toed); helmets; work gloves; safety glasses and goggles. Learn more at Dress for Success Cleveland.
Wednesday, April 25
OVBTA Board of Directors Meeting: 5:00PM - 7:00PM
Networking Reception: 7:00PM - 10:00PM
Thursday, April 26
Breakfast Buffet 8:30AM - 10:00AM
Sponsored by Qatar Airlines
Registration: 9:00AM - 12:00PM
Please pick up your name badge and pay your meeting dues if you did not pay in advance
New Member / First Timer Orientation: 9:30AM - 10:00AM
Meet other first time attendees / new members for an overview of OVBTA and what you can expect at our meetings
Morning Breakout Sessions: 10:00AM - 11:30AM
Direct Members
Roundtable discussion on industry hot topics
Allied Members
Going Global - Doing Business Successfully in the International Arena
Presented by: Karen Hickman, Owner, Professional Courtesy LLC
Proper etiquette in the business and social arena plays an important role in the type of relationships you are able to create. Our April Allied speaker, Karen Hickman, is passionate about raising the civility quotient in America today and is an expert in the most current and universally accepted etiquette and protocol affecting today’s business community and contemporary society. She will be presenting on topics including cross-cultural awareness, rank and status, forms of address, dress, and gift giving. Please join us to learn about best practices when working with international clientele in this increasing global marketplace.
Networking Activity: 11:30AM - 12:00PM
Lunch: 12:00PM - 1:00PM
Lunch Sponsored by Indus Hotels
OVBTA Business Meeting: 1:00PM - 1:30PM
General Session: 1:30PM - 3:00PM
Travel Policy - Key Strategies and Best Practices
Presented by: Ali Mokhtari, Senior VP, Partnership Travel Consulting, LLC
Panelists: Cindy Gillen, National Director, Procurement & Travel, BDO Seidman
Hillary Dallas, Sr. Manager, Global Travel & Sourcing, Booz & Co
Like your travel policy, but not the compliance to it? This session covers a range of key strategies and best practices for improving and increasing policy compliance rates. With a special emphasis on technology, you will learn the latest tools and best practices to help get the most out of your travel policy and as a result, the best vendor programs from your suppliers. From this session you can expect to learn:
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The newest technology tools designed to help manage a travel policy
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Key strategies for improving policy compliance
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How a well managed travel policy can lead to better vendor contracts
Legislative Update: 3:00PM - 3:30PM
Tom Patton, Ohio State Senator, 24th Senate District, Majority Floor Leader
Serving in the Ohio State Senate since 2008, Tom Patton currently leads the Senate Highways and Transportation Committee, which is responsible for the multi-billion dollar state Transportation Budget that allocates funding for highway projects across the state. Job-creation and economic revitalization are Senator Patton’s highest priorities as an active member of the influential Finance Committee, the Energy and Public Utilities Committee and the Ways and Means and Economic Development Committee. In addition to his standing committees, Senator Patton also serves as co-chair of the Ohio Senate Autism Caucus and as a member of the Ohio Turnpike Commission, the Ohio Athletic Commission, the Ohio Rail Development Commission, the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Compact and the ODOT Transportation Futures Steering Committee.
