Recap of OSSA Conference on Put-In-Bay, Ohio

Posted on by leximills
Robin and Kim at OSSA Conference 18

Mee Derby President Robin Mee and Executive Director Kim Whiteley enjoyed two days in Put-In-Bay at the 2018 OSSA Conference last week.

OSSA, The Ohio Staffing and Search Association,  is the state chapter of the American Staffing Association (ASA) and an affiliate of the National Association of Personnel Services (NAPS).

This year’s conference was themed on securing the “treasure” of staffing and recruiting – human capital, financial assets, data and more. Conference topics included:

  • Selfies for Success with keynote Marvin Montgomery, Professional Sales Trainer, Author & Coach.
  • How to Become a Trusted Advisor with Marvin Montgomery
  • Smart Marketing Ideas: Insights to Strategically Attract, Engage and Convert More Job Seekers and Clients with David Searns, Haley Marketing
  • Attract, Retain and Motivate Internal Talent with Kim Whiteley and Robin Mee, Mee Derby & Company
  • Time Management for Recruiters with Tom Erb, Tallann Resources
  • CyberSecurity with Jerry Grady, UHY, LLP Certified Public Accountants
  • Claims Management for Staffing Companies with Corey Lambrecht, V&A Risk Services
  • Background Check Lawsuit? No, Thank You! with David Garcia, ScoutLogic
  • Industry Updates with Adam Russ, Frantz Ward, LLP Attorneys at Law

Here’s what Robin and Kim had to say about the OSSA Conference:

“There was great content and community. We had a lively discussion on how Staffing Firms are Attracting, Retaining and Motivating Internal teams. There is no substitute for spending time with our staffing colleagues!”

OSSA Conference is the annual gathering  of Ohio staffing companies. With 60 staffing participants, primarily owners and managers plus sponsors, the environment is more intimate and low-key than large scale conferences like Staffing World and SIA Executive Forum.  

Then there’s the fact that the conference is held on a small island in Lake Eerie. It can take a while to get there – for us it was Ubers, planes, boats and automobiles. Once you arrive, you immediately feel the laid-back environment. This island is kind a New Orleans in Lake Eerie – known for being a lot of fun. The atmosphere is relaxing, with little motor traffic, as many people leave their car on the mainland, take the ferry over to the island, and get around on the island on golf carts.

Wednesday night kicked off with a happy hour at the Put-In-Bay Winery overlooking the harbor. Then Kim and Robin went to dinner with Haley Marketing Group CEO David Searns, who brought his daughter who recently got her MBA,  and enjoyed a sunset dinner overlooking Lake Erie.

On Thursday Kim and Robin presented to an enthusiastic crowd. It was very conversational, which is exactly what they wanted. It was an opportunity for people to talk about the innovative things they’re doing to attract and motivate internal teams, and to hear new ideas and best practices.  

There’s lots of time for people to talk and share and network and spend time together. The cozy atmosphere encouraged people to stay through the entirety of the sessions, unlike at some conferences where outside attractions might distract conference participants). Everyone attended a really fun dinner on Thursday night sponsored by UHY LLP Public Accountants.

It’s so important for our state associations to continue having these conferences, because it helps local staffing communities to get facetime, break bread, talk shop, raise a glass and cultivate friendships.