Industry Conference Keynote to Reveal Leadership Lessons from Unconventional Sources

The Ohio AgriBusiness Association is pleased to welcome Thomas A. Balzer of the Ohio Trucking Association as the Industry Dinner keynote speaker at the upcoming 2019 OABA Industry Conference.

Balzer has built a career of turning around stagnant nonprofit organizations by doing things differently, never accepting the status quo and, just like a four-year-old, he is always asking "why?" He currently serves as the president and CEO of OTA, where he has increased the association’s assets by 516 percent in just five years. In his keynote, Balzer will explore leadership lessons learned through a most unconventional method, titled “Leadership Lessons I Learned by Being a Couch Potato.”

“Tom takes a unique approach to business that has proven its worth time and time again,” said Chris Henney, OABA president and CEO. “In his own unusual fashion, Tom will bring a fresh new perspective to a familiar topic, revealing leadership lessons that are hiding in plain sight.”

The two-day Industry Conference, Jan. 31 – Feb. 1, 2019 in Columbus, is packed with widely-respected speakers and industry professionals, sharing their expertise on a variety of topics relating to agronomy, grain and feed, safety and more. In addition to the keynote, the conference features a wide array of general and breakout sessions. A pre-conference session on January 30 is available for mid-level professionals to focus on the retention and recruitment of employees and intentionally building their company culture.

Continuing education units (CEUs) are available for both Certified Crop Advisers and state licensed pesticide applicators that attend the conference. An agenda is available at www.oaba.net/events_conference. 

All-inclusive registration for the event covers admission to both days of educational programming, all meals, including the Industry Networking Reception & Dinner and the OABA Annual Meeting. Registration fees are as follows:

Member: $275 ($350 after Jan. 15, 2019)
Non-Member: $425 ($500 after Jan. 15, 2019)

Individual day and reception/dinner-only registrations are also available, as are exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities. Visit www.oaba.net/events_conference for more information and to register.

Hotel accommodations for the Columbus Marriott Northwest can be made online by visiting www.oaba.net/events_conference or by calling 614-791-1000 and using the code “Ohio AgriBusiness Association.” The OABA hotel block reservation deadline is Jan. 15, 2019.