Columbus, OH - Leadership Ohio, the state's premier leadership development program that connects diverse leaders from across Ohio to promote positive change, has chosen Newark, Ohio as the location for the program’s Opening Retreat on April 21-22, 2023. Newark’s selection is a testament to the significant changes the city has undergone in recent years, including a revitalized downtown area, a thriving arts community, and numerous recreational opportunities. Newark is situated 35 miles east of Columbus, located along the western edge of the Appalachian plateau in Licking County.
The Leadership Ohio Fellows, a group of visionary leaders from across the state, will kick-start their eight-month study of Ohio during the opening retreat. The retreat will focus on building strong relationships and foundations for civil discourse and feature The Constructive Dialogue Institute (CDI), a non-profit organization that creates evidence-based educational resources and programming to equip people with skills to have dialogue across ideological differences. CDI will facilitate a session with Fellows to give them strategies to navigate difficult conversations and foster greater collaboration.
Fellows will delve into Licking County, a growing part of the central Ohio region that is anticipated to continue experiencing significant development. The potential for change was accelerated early 2022 when Intel announced it would build two leading-edge processor factories in Licking County. The plants come with a $20 billion investment from Intel expected to yield 3,000 jobs.
Fellows will have the chance to lean into the rich history and culture of the Newark Downtown Historic District - with a tour expected to feature local gems such as the Louis Sullivan Building, The Midland Theatre and Licking County Courthouse.
According to Dr. Lisa Duty, Executive Director of Leadership Ohio, "Newark is a prime example of a community that has transformed itself through vision, collaboration, and strategic planning. We are thrilled to showcase Newark and Licking County to our Leadership Ohio Fellows and highlight the community's successes."
Dan Moder, Executive Director of Explore Licking County (ELC), also commented on the news stating, "We are proud to be a part of the Newark community and excited to share our city with the Leadership Ohio program. It’s an honor to be selected by Leadership Ohio, and we look forward to showcasing the hard work and dedication of the region’s residents and community leaders."
The event will take place on the 16-acre Cherry Valley Hotel (CVH), a unique property that recently underwent a $20 million renovation, with lush gardens that are part of the National Garden Association. CVH is the only hotel in the United States with its own certified arboretum.
The opening retreat in Newark promises to be a memorable experience for all involved.
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For more information on the Leadership Ohio program or the opening retreat in Newark, please visit the Leadership Ohio website at leadershipohio.org or contact:
Dr. Lisa Duty, Executive Director of Leadership Ohio
Email: lisaduty@leadershipohio.org
Phone: 614-806-0607