Ottawa County Celebrates its Premier Marketing & Networking Event for 25th Year in a Row

On Thursday, August 22, 2019, the Ottawa County Improvement Corporation (OCIC) celebrated its 25^th annual premier marketing and networking event: Experience Ottawa County (EOC).

Those who’ve had the chance to join local community leaders, businesses, officials, and site selectors from across the region at any of our past events over the past 25 years will tell you that EOC is not just any event.

In just one day, attendees are given a sneak peek into what makes Ottawa County such a special and unique place to live, work, and do business.

This year’s EOC was one of OCIC’s best events yet (if not the best), with beautiful weather (sunny, partly cloudy, and a high of 72°), a jampacked schedule, and over 250 people in attendance from all across the state of Ohio.

Professional Development & Site Selectors Luncheons

EOC 2019 kicked off with two luncheons at iconic locations in Ottawa County.

Community leaders, businesses, and organizations gathered together for a professional development luncheon at 11:30 am on the Catawba Island Club with an education program on succession planning.

Meanwhile, at the same time, OCIC held a special luncheon for site selectors and prospective businesses at the Historic Hotel Lakeside in Lakeside Chautauqua, where the focus was on the ideal assets and advantages Ottawa County has to offer.

They later toured other key areas in the county including the Erie-Ottawa International Airport, U.S. Customs facility, and ThorWorks hanger and had an island cruise around the shores of Lake Erie.

“A Taste of Ottawa County”

Then, it was off to Put-in-Bay on South Bass Island. EOC event attendees boarded ferries and yachts to travel to one of Ohio’s most popular destinations.

Everyone gathered together at The Keys, Put-in-Bay for a networking event and dinner starting at 5:00 pm. Dinner was particularly special since it included “A Taste of Ottawa County,” which features food and wine from area restaurants, and local entertainment.

Afterwards, as everyone experienced the best that Ottawa County has to offer, met with friends new and old, and discussed topics ranging from business to leisure, it became clear why so many people choose to make Ottawa County their home.

But don’t just take our word for it. Watch this video for perspective from our guests, and we invite you to join us next year at Experience Ottawa County 2020 to experience Ottawa County yourself and see what makes this county in northwest Ohio so exceptional.