Lewis Center, Ohio – The Ohio National Guard held its annual Joint Senior Leadership Conference at the Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center, now known as The Ohioan Hotel & Event Center, from to . The conference featured a keynote address by Ted Carter Jr., president of The Ohio State University, and focused on leadership development for Army and Air National Guard personnel, alongside a commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Ohio National Guard’s partnership with the Serbian Armed Forces.
The Ohioan Hotel & Event Center, located just north of Columbus, has undergone a rebranding from its previous identity as the Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center. The facility is a full-service conference and training center, boasting 192 luxury guest rooms and suites, 35 conference and breakout rooms, and a 6,000 square-foot grand ballroom spread across a 15-acre property. It is the only IACC (International Association of Conference Centers) certified conference center in Columbus, Ohio, signifying adherence to high standards for meeting planners.
According to a statement released by the Ohio National Guard via DVIDS Hub, the conference provided a forum for senior leaders to discuss strategic priorities and foster collaboration. The inclusion of the Serbian Armed Forces partnership anniversary highlights the ongoing commitment to international cooperation and security initiatives. The event was documented by a video team from the 121st Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs, led by Senior Master Sgt. Ralph Branson.
The Ohioan Hotel & Event Center has received accolades for its facilities and service, including recognition from The Knot and WeddingWire. General Manager Michael Holtzleiter emphasized the importance of the hospitality industry in creating positive experiences for guests and employees, noting the significant number of individuals the hotel serves annually. “In the hospitality industry, we will host 10,000’s of guests each year and work beside 100’s of employees. This is a significant number of opportunities to make a positive impact on someone each day,” Holtzleiter stated.
The hotel’s amenities include an onsite restaurant and a charming pub, alongside multiple spacious ballrooms and conference rooms. The facility’s location in the Polaris area of Columbus offers convenient access to local attractions and businesses. The Ohioan Hotel & Event Center aims to provide a comprehensive experience for events ranging from weddings and meetings to large-scale conferences.
The Ohio National Guard’s Joint Senior Leadership Conference is an annual event designed to enhance the professional development of its leadership cadre. The selection of The Ohioan Hotel & Event Center as the venue underscores the facility’s capacity to accommodate large-scale events and provide a conducive environment for strategic discussions. The conference’s focus on the Ohio National Guard’s partnership with the Serbian Armed Forces reflects the growing importance of international military cooperation in addressing shared security challenges.
The DVIDS Hub report indicates the video documenting the conference, captured by Senior Master Sgt. Branson, is approximately three minutes in length and publicly available. The video’s release coincides with the conclusion of the conference, providing a visual record of the event and its key highlights. The video has been downloaded once and had one high-resolution download as of .
The Ohioan Hotel & Event Center’s address is 100 Green Meadows Drive South, Lewis Center, OH 43030. The hotel can be reached at (866) 233-9393 or through its website at nwhotelandconferencecenter.com. The facility’s transition from Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center to The Ohioan Hotel & Event Center represents a renewed focus on providing a premium experience for guests and event organizers.
