Q2 District Conference 2025-2026
2026-02-06 00:00 - 2026-02-08 23:59 (America/New_York) | Embassy Suites and Conference Center, 5100 Upper Metro Pl, Dublin, Ohio, 43017
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Note: The Hospitality Suite will be located in Suite #615

Get ready Ohio Optimists!

I’m thrilled to officially invite you to the Second Quarter Ohio District Conference, February 6–8, 2026, at the Embassy Suites Conference Center, 5100 Upper Metro Place, Dublin, Ohio 43017. Mark your calendars and plan to join us for a weekend filled with fun, fellowship, and Optimist pride!

We’ll kick off the weekend on Friday, February 6, 2026, in the Hospitality Room, featuring a 2026 Winter Olympics theme as the Opening Ceremonies take place that evening. Join us for snacks, beverages, fun, and fellowship. This is a BYOB event — feel free to bring food to share. We’ll provide ice, coolers, basic mixers, and light snacks both evenings, with pizza or subs on Friday (donations appreciated to help cover costs). Be sure to join in a fun 10-question Winter Olympics trivia for a little friendly competition and extra laughs!

Optimist International Foundation Executive Director Craig Boring will be joining us all day to give further insight into the OI Foundation and has special awards to present during Past Governor, Terry Schalnat’s, award ceremony Saturday evening. We’ll recognize District participation in International Optimist Day, which is celebrated worldwide on the first Thursday of each February. We will also highlight the C.A.R.E. Program (C-Celebrate, A-Address, R-Recognize, E-Excel), which focuses on membership — the key to our organization and the communities we serve.

We’re also excited to welcome a special guest speaker, Dennis VanFossen Jr., Chief Executive Officer of the International Soap Box Derby. A former Soap Box Derby world champion and lifelong Optimist at heart, Dennis brings incredible energy, leadership, and passion to his story — from racing at Derby Downs to leading this iconic organization into its next chapter. His presentation promises inspiration, excitement, and plenty of fun.

We’ll continue our focus on strengthening our clubs through membership growth and retention. If every Ohio Optimist Club added just one new member, our District would truly soar — and this conference will help spark that momentum.

And of course, we’ll add a little fun! 🎉 The Governor’s Raffle will be drawn on Saturday, February 7, at Past Governor, Terry Schalnat’s, award ceremony and every registered attendee is automatically entered for a chance to win a basket of 250 lottery tickets. Just attend and you could be our lucky winner!

Save the date, bring a fellow Optimist (or a future one!), and get ready for an energizing weekend. I can’t wait to see you there!

Celebrating Optimism,

Debbie WalshGovernor, Ohio District 2025–2026

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Q3 District Conference 2025-2026
2026-05-15 00:00 - 2026-05-17 23:59
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Note: The Hospitality Suite will be located in Suite #615

Join us for an inspiring and impactful weekend as Optimists from across the Ohio District unite to honor outstanding students and continue our mission of bringing out the best in youth, our communities, and ourselves! The Ohio District Third Quarter Conference will be taking place May 15-17, 2026.

One of the most anticipated highlights of the weekend will be the recognition of our remarkable youth. Be inspired as we celebrate the outstanding finalists of our three scholarship contest. On Saturday morning, attendees will have the special opportunity to hear/experience the Essay and CCDHH winners present their award-winning entries followed by the finals of the District Oratorical competition. If you’ve never experienced these competitions, you will be truly amazed by the confidence, eloquence, and passion of these exceptional winners! They embody the true Optimist spirit, and their achievements showcase the powerful and lasting impact our clubs have on future generations.

The excitement continues this summer with the Optimist International Convention in Jacksonville this June – don’t miss your opportunity to attend! This premier event offers inspiration, leadership development, and global fellowship. Be sure to take advantage of Early Bird Pricing before it ends on May 1!

As Optimists, we are reminded to dream boldly and reach for the stars. With the excitement surrounding the Artemis II Mission – which carried 4 astronauts around the Moon – our vision aligns perfectly with the spirit of exploration, innovation, and limitless possibility. Just as this historic journey represents humanity’s next giant leap, our conference reflects our commitment to shaping a brighter future for the next generation. Together, we continue to inspire hope, encourage achievement, and prove that optimism knows no bounds!

The Ohio District Third Quarter Conference promises to be filled with celebration, connection, and Optimist pride. Mark your calendars and join us for a truly extraordinary weekend!

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78th Annual District Convention 2025-2026
2026-08-06 00:00 - 2026-08-09 23:59
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Dear Fellow Optimists,

As we continue celebrating America’s 250th Birthday and another incredible year of serving our youth and our communities, it is my pleasure to invite you to the 78th Annual Ohio District Convention, “Celebrating America at 250,” taking place August 6–9, 2026, at the wonderful Embassy Suites and Conference Center, 5100 Upper Metro Place, Dublin, Ohio 43017.

This convention marks the culmination of an amazing Optimist year, a time to celebrate our accomplishments, recognize the dedication of our members, and embrace the exciting future ahead. Together, we’ll reflect on how our clubs have grown, the lives we’ve impacted, and the difference Optimists continue to make across Ohio and beyond.

We’ll have the opportunity to welcome Governor-Elect Chuck Hillman and his incoming 2026–2027 Ohio District Leadership Team as they prepare to continue our tradition of service and excellence. We are also honored to welcome Regional Vice President Debbie Berry, among many others who will share in this special weekend of fellowship, inspiration, and training.

I am especially excited to welcome OI President Tom Kendo and First Lady Jennifer Kendo as we celebrate President Tom’s outstanding year of leadership and the remarkable growth taking place throughout Optimist International. President Tom has the chance to do something that hasn’t happened in the past 20 years: end the Optimist year with net 0 or better! Together, we have the opportunity to make Optimist history and help President Tom achieve this extraordinary milestone.

Throughout the convention, we’ll recognize our Back in Balance Clubs, celebrate club impact achievements from Club Impact Reports, and learn how every club can contribute to reaching our goal of net 0 or better, thus strengthening Optimism throughout Ohio.

Most importantly, we’ll enjoy the fellowship that makes our organization so special—connecting with friends, making new ones, sharing ideas, celebrating our successes, and preparing for another outstanding year of bringing out the best in our youth, our communities, and ourselves.

Thank you for your continued dedication, enthusiasm, and unwavering commitment to Optimism. I look forward to celebrating with each of you as we honor another successful year and begin an exciting new one together!

I can’t wait to see you at the 78th Annual Ohio District Convention and continue to celebrate Optimism and America at 250!

Celebrating Optimism,

Debbie WalshGovernor, Ohio District2025–2026

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Q1 District Conference 2026-2027
2026-10-16 00:00 - 2026-10-18 23:59
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Our 1st Quarter District Conference for 2026-2027 is scheduled for October 16-18. This will be a wonderful opportunity to connect, learn and share as we chart our course forward. I hope every club will join us, your presence makes a difference!

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Q2 District Conference 2026-2027
2027-02-12 00:00 - 2027-02-13 23:59
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Our 2nd Quarter District Conference for 2026-2027 is scheduled for February 12-13. This will be a wonderful opportunity to connect, learn and share as we chart our course forward. I hope every club will join us, your presence makes a difference!

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Q3 District Conference 2026-2027
2027-05-14 00:00 - 2027-05-15 23:59
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Our 3rd Quarter District Conference for 2026-2027 is scheduled for May 14-15. This will be a wonderful opportunity to connect, learn and share as we chart our course forward. I hope every club will join us, your presence makes a difference!

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79th Annual District Convention 2026-2027
2027-08-13 00:00 - 2027-08-15 23:59
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The 79th Annual District Convention for 2026-2027 is scheduled for August 13-15. This will be a wonderful opportunity to connect, learn and share as we chart our course forward. I hope every club will join us, your presence makes a difference!

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