Cherry Valley Hotel - Newark, OH

April 24 - 26, 2026

 

Schedule Coming Soon!

---

 

Conference Registration is Open!

Important Instructions:
The above link takes you to the parent event in Registration Zone. You may view the individual options on the registration page, but you must first click REGISTER at the bottom of the main event page. After that, you can select your desired option(s).

The options listed below are available for both members and guests. To add a guest, first select your MEMBER option(s), then select the corresponding GUEST option(s).

Example: Select MEMBER Conference with Lunch and MEMBER Banquet, then add GUEST Banquet.
All selected options will be paid for in a single transaction.

Below are the choices that will be available for members and guest:

 

Full Weekend: Friday Night Mixer, Conference with Lunch, and Banquet: 

Cadet = $140

Senior Member/AEM = $160

Conference with Lunch

Cadet = $75

Senior Member/AEM = $85 

Conference (no lunch)

Cadet = $50

Senior Member/AEM = $55

Friday Night Mixer Only

Cadet = $20

Senior Member/AEM = $20

Banquet Only

Cadet = $50

Senior Member/AEM = $60  

 

When registering a Guest:  Provide full name. If registering more than one guest, include all guests names and your email address.  You will register and pay for one guest and will be invoiced for any remaining guests.

---

Book Your Hotel

 

Cherry Valley Hotel

2299 Cherry Valley Rd SE

Newark, OH 43055

 

Friday, April 24, 2026

Saturday, April 25, 2026

Rate: $131/night

Book your reservation today to attend all of our OHWG Conference exciting events...Friday social...Saturday training/learning sessions...Saturday banquet and after-party!

---

Conference and Session Schedule Information

Join your fellow members as we come together to collaborate, connect and learn from each other. This is a family-friendly weekend filled with learning opportunities, award ceremonies, and the Saturday evening banquet and keynote address.

For information on the schedule of events for the 2026 OHWG conference click here.

Breakout Sessions: An Early Preview

 

---

Announcing State Representative Bernie Willis as Keynote Speaker for the 2026 OHWG Conference

The OHWG is pleased to announce that the guest speaker for the 2026 OHWG Conference will be Representative Bernie Willis who will be presenting at our banquet on April 25th.

State Representative Bernie Willis is serving his second term in the Ohio House of Representatives. He represents the 74th House District encompassing Springfield and most of northern and western Clark County. 

Representative Willis was a career military pilot earning the rank of colonel as a multi-tour commander who flew F-16s and unmanned MQ-1 Predator drones before becoming a federal law enforcement officer at the Springfield Air National Guard base.  Willis served as a reservist in the acquisition enterprise at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base prior to retiring from military service in 2023 with 30 years of active duty in his 36 years in Air Force uniform. 

Colonel Willis was an adjunct professor in unmanned aviation with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Sinclair Community College. He is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, distinguished graduate of the MQ-1 Predator transition course, and was the top Distinguished Graduate of the Air Force Security Forces Officer course where he received the 4-Star Air Education and Training Command commander's award for excellence.

Willis is active in the community as a Clark County Deputy Sheriff,  former board member of the Greater Springfield Partnership, and an Elder at Fellowship Christian Church.  Col. Willis also serves around the state as a member of the Miami Valley Military Affairs Association, and as past-President and current board member of Veterans Empowered Through Motorsports in Columbus.  

Bernie and his wife Lynne have been married for more than 30 years.  They have three grown children: Shelby, who is a vocal artist/music educator/education tech specialist, Jon, who is a West Point graduate U.S. Army Captain, Apache Helicopter pilot and commander, and Noah, who is a Purdue University graduate mechanical engineer.

 

---

Conference Highlights

As a tie-in to the nation's Semiquincentennial, our conference theme is Honoring Our Heritage, Forging Our Future.

On July 4, 2026, our nation will commemorate and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The journey toward this historic milestone is an opportunity to pause and reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look ahead toward the future we want to create for the next generation and beyond. (Source:https://america250.org/)

Here are some highlights you can expect from the OHWG conference:

• Distinguished Speakers: We have speakers who will deliver engaging speeches and share their invaluable insights.

• Interactive Breakout and Training Sessions: Take part in interactive sessions and discussions led by OHWG members, designed to foster learning, collaboration and the exchange of ideas.

• Networking Opportunities: Connect with members from all over the OHWG, put a face to that name, expand your network, and collaborate with members throughout the conference.

• Exceptional Banquet:  Enjoy an amazing dinner and the company of your fellow OHWG members, celebrate your hard work and our annual award winners.

• Silent Gift Basket Auction: OHWG will offer some exciting gift baskets, donated by each squadron and directorate. The highest bid for a gift basket wins it. All proceeds will go to support cadet scholarships.

---

 

Download a PDF to share with prospective donors here.

---

Banquet

Saturday, April 25, 2026 - 6:30 PM

After Party (DJ music and dancing) - 9:30 PM

Entertainment provided by R&B!

 

 

 

 

 

---

Uniform of the Day

For information on the uniform of the day for the OHWG conference click here.