09/19/2018
What You Need to Know Before You Go
What You Need to Know Before You Go
The 2018 Ohio Conference on Travel is next week, we are really excited for you to be on point at The Point with us soon. Conference is held Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 25 to 27, at Cedar Point, located at 1 Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky, Ohio 44870.
Additional updates will be posted to ohioconferenceontravel.com
Overall Things to Consider
- Parking: Parking is free. When you arrive at Cedar Point, go to the tollbooth and tell them you are with the Ohio Conference on Travel. Follow the signs to Hotel Breakers. This means you will be driving around the perimeter of Cedar Point with the lake on your left. Park at the Hotel Breakers parking lot.
- Hotel Breakers and Cedar Point: We are the only guests at the Hotel Breakers, and the park is closed to guests. Please stay only in the areas dedicated to the conference, and please thank Cedar Point staff for their hospitality.
- Dining and Shopping Options: The following is the list of hotel dining options open during our stay:
TGI Fridays, 5 to 9 p.m., Monday only
Starbucks, 7 to 10 a.m., Tuesday; 6 to 9 a.m., Wednesday and Thursday
Surf Lounge, 5 p.m. to midnight, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
Breakers Boutique: 5 to 7 p.m., Monday; 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday; Closed Wednesday; 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday
Please note hours and availability are subject to change.
- Weather: Keep in mind temperatures by the lake are often cooler. Pack for layers just in case. Also, it would be a good idea to bring along an umbrella just in case. You may also want to consider wearing comfortable shoes.
- Connect With Our Sponsors: Familiarize yourself with our Sponsors who will be available beginning at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, throughout the day Wednesday, and Thursday morning. Please make sure you connect with all sponsors and visit the exhibit tables during specified times on the schedule and beyond. These businesses are supporting the Ohio travel industry, so please be sure to connect with their representatives and give strong consideration to them as your business partners.
- Contests: Visit all of the sponsors listed on the handout in your registration bag, secure their signature, and you'll be entered into a drawing to win two Spirit Airline certificates (a $1,000 value).
- Business Cards: Don’t forget them! There will be plenty of great networking opportunities.
- Dress Code
- Tuesday Evening: Business
- Wednesday: Business Casual
- Wednesday Evening Cedar Point Event: Casual. (Continue reading for more information on how best to prepare for Wednesday night)
- Thursday Morning: Casual
Tuesday FYIs
- DMO Bootcamp: For those attending the DMO Bootcamp, don’t forget to bring with you a copy of your FY17 profit and loss statement and balance sheet report. This portion of the day’s agenda on financial reporting will be interactive, allowing you time to immediately put into place what you are learning.
- Live Auction: During the Ohio Travel Industry Leadership Dinner, there will be 11 large media items that you can place bids on, saving you precious marketing budget dollars. Please review these items ahead of time here. All media items will be invoiced.
- Silent Auction: There are nearly 50 items in the Silent Auction this year, and you are definitely going to want to place bids on these amazing packages. Onsite viewing begins at noon. Review the list ahead of time here and get ready to bid! Wish lists will be available with each Silent Auction packet at the registration desk. The Silent Auction closes shortly after the Ohio Travel Industry Leadership Dinner.
- Membership Table: Throughout conference, be sure to stop by the membership table to learn about all the new benefits of MyOTA. Also, update your login information and learn how easily and quickly you can navigate MyOTA!
- Social Media: Post on social media with the hashtag #OnPointwithOHTravel and #OCOT2018 to connect with industry friends and other attendees. Do not forget to follow OTA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (@ohiotravelassoc) for live tweets, posts and updates.
Wednesday and Thursday FYIs
- Yoga: Join us both Wednesday and Thursday mornings at 6 a.m. for sunrise beach yoga! This will be a basic class perfect for beginners; however, those with yoga experience will find opportunities to be challenged as well. Keep in mind that the sun starts rising a little before 7 a.m., so dress in layers. Also, please bring a beach towel – yoga mats don’t work very well on sand. However, if the weather isn’t cooperative or it’s just way too cold, we will move the class into the hotel lobby where you could use a yoga mat. So, here’s what to bring: Comfortable clothing, a beach towel and a Yoga mat (if you have one; if not, you can use your beach towel).
- Breakout Sessions: Look over the schedule and decide which breakouts you plan to attend.
- Annual Meeting: All OTA members are encouraged to attend the OTA Annual Meeting held 1-1:24 p.m. to vote on the slate of board candidates and receive important updates.
- Wednesday Night Dinner and Parties: Enjoy a private party in Cedar Point's FrontierTown from 6 to 8 p.m. In addition to food and beverage stations, Steel Vengeance, Maverick, antique cars and swing rides will be open. We will be walking from the hotel to this section of park, so you are going to want to wear comfortable shoes. At 8 p.m., we'll make our way back to the hotel to the Cedar Point beach for an evening of open fire pits, s'mores, music and dancing. Please remember these events are restricted to Ohio Conference on Travel attendees, and you must be 21 years of age or older to participate.
For a live version of what you need to know throughout the conference, please visit the conference homepage at ohioconferenceontravel.com!
Additional questions? Please email mhuntley@ohiotravel.org. We can't wait to see you there!