Prepare your Proposals! OCDA Conference Title and Themes are LIVE!

Consider taking some time to begin preparing your proposal for the 2026 OCDA Conference! OCDA is excited to announce the conference title and guiding themes:

Reimagining Career Readiness: Building Pathways to Impact

This conference brings together school career and guidance counselors, college and university career services staff, community job service representatives, workforce development and employer partners, as well as privately licensed professional counselors. Through collaborative dialogue and actionable strategies, attendees will explore innovative approaches to workforce development, career readiness, and purpose-driven practices that empower career professionals, youth, and people throughout the lifespan of their career.

The conference comprises of three themes that will serve as our guidance for this year's call for proposals.

Theme 1: Building Bridges in Workforce Development

Workforce development focuses on creating sustainable talent pipelines that meet the evolving needs of employers and communities. It emphasizes collaboration between education, industry, and workforce agencies to prepare individuals for meaningful careers in a global workforce. This theme is designed to spotlight practical best practices in order build and expand on workforce development initiatives taking place throughout the state of Ohio and beyond.

Theme 2: Engaging Minds in Career Readiness

Career readiness is about more than technical skills—it’s about sparking curiosity and connecting learning to real-world opportunities. This theme explores how educators, workforce partners, and private career counselors can foster engagement and confidence, equipping individuals to navigate K-12, college, career, and life with purpose.

Theme 3: Finding Purpose in Practice

This theme centers on the well-being of career practitioners themselves, recognizing that purpose-driven advising begins with personal clarity and resilience. Attendees will explore strategies for integrating wellness and meaning into their counseling and career services practices, ensuring they can guide others from a place of balance and authenticity.

Conference Announcement: Title and Logo!

Have you heard? The official 2026 OCDA Conference title and logo have been finalized! We are so excited to announce that this year's conference title is:

Reimagining Career Readiness: Building Pathways to Impact

This year's conference logo:

A few reminders:

Conference Dates: Thursday, May 28th and Friday, May 29th 2026

Location: Northwest Ohio in Lima

Call for Proposals: Coming Soon!

SAVE THE DATE: 2026 OCDA Conference

Mark your calendar! The annual OCDA Conference is returning on Thursday, May 28th and Friday, May 29th 2026 in Lima, Ohio!

Join us for an inspiring gathering of career professionals/educators/leaders featuring engaging sessions, meaningful conversations, and opportunities to connect with peers from Ohio and beyond!

More details will be coming soon! We look forward to seeing you there!

Sponsor the 2025 OCDA Conference/50th Anniversary Celebration

Are you part of a company looking to connect with career development professionals? Sponsor our 2025 OCDA Conference! This conference is our 50th anniversary and we're looking forward to a big celebration!

Our conference brings together professionals in higher education, K-12, government organizations, human resources, and other related fields.

We have a variety of sponsorship packages available all with unique perks! Some exciting highlights of the sponsorship packages include your logo on the swag bag that all attendees receive at check in, the opportunity to present about your organization/product, an advertisement in the conference program, a chance to connect one on one with attendees at a vendor roundtable, and the ability to participate in the full schedule of events at the conference!

To learn more about each sponsorship package or to purchase a sponsorship, please follow THIS LINK.

We can't wait to see you at the conference in June!

#OCDA50

NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN: OCDA Awards

Each year, OCDA honors career development professionals in the state of Ohio. This year OCDA is excited to announce a call for nominations for FOUR different awards! If you know a member of OCDA who is an outstanding graduate student, a career innovator, or a career leader OR if you know an impactful career services team/department, take a moment to nominate them for their hard work and impact on the field of career development.

For more information about each award’s criteria and links to nominate individuals or a career services department/team, please click HERE.

DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS: March 25, 2025 at 11:59pm EST

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OCDA's 2024 Award Winners

REGISTER TODAY: OCDA 2025 Conference

Have you registered yet for this year's OCDA Conference?

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION IS LIVE! Be sure to register before April 18th 2025 at 11:59pm to get the best pricing for the conference!

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Some more information about pricing/perks of registration:

Student:

Full Conference Registration: $60*^

One Day Conference Registration: $30*^

Member:

Full Conference Registration: $140

One Day Conference Registration: $70

Non-Member:

Full Conference Registration: $180*

One Day Conference Registration: $97.50*

* Includes one year of membership. Non-OCDA members must create an account to register and gain a FREE year of membership

^ Student rates apply to students currently enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral degree program

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CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS YEAR'S CONFERENCE

Follow THIS LINK to register for the conference!

OPEN NOW: Call For Proposals

The 2025 OCDA Conference Call For Proposals application is NOW LIVE!

Interested in submitting a proposal? Please review OCDA’s conference theme and guiding pillars at THIS LINK.

When is the deadline to submit a proposal? January 31st, 2025 at 11:59pm EST.

How are proposals reviewed/selected? Proposals will be reviewed by OCDA Board members and other volunteers from OCDA’s membership. Reviewers will be assessing proposals and considering factors such as quality, target audience, and alignment with the conference theme/guiding pillars. If a proposal is accepted, up to two presenters listed on the proposal will have their registration cost for the conference waived. 

We can't wait to see what incredible proposals you have to share!

For all inquiries and correspondence related to program proposals, please email President-Elect/Conference Planning Chair, Kaleigh Mahon at kmahon3@kent.edu.

OPENING SOON: Call For Proposals

Want to Share Your Expertise? Submit A Proposal! 

The 2025 OCDA Conference Call For Proposals application will be available this coming week on Monday, November 18th! To learn more about OCDA’s conference theme and guiding pillars, you can follow THIS LINK. The deadline to submit your proposal will be January 10th, 2025 at 11:59pm EST.

How do we select conference presentations?

Conference proposals will be reviewed by OCDA Board members and other volunteers from OCDA’s membership. Reviewers will be assessing proposals and considering factors such as quality, target audience, and alignment with the conference theme/guiding pillars. If a proposal is accepted, up to two presenters listed on the proposal will have their registration cost for the Conference waived.

Questions?

For all inquiries and correspondence related to program proposals, please email President-Elect/Conference Planning Chair, Kaleigh Mahon at kmahon3@kent.edu.

SAVE THE DATE! 

2025 OCDA Conference

June 5-6, 2025

Ashland University, Ashland, Ohio

Dear OCDA Members,

I am thrilled to extend an invitation to the OCDA 2025 Conference, Seasons of Change in Career Development: Where We’ve Been, Where We Are, and Where We’re Going. This Conference and the year 2025 are particularly special because it is OCDA’s 50th anniversary! In celebration of this exciting milestone, the idea of the passage of time has been incorporated into the conference’s theme, and we have a 50th anniversary celebration planned for the first night of the conference!

The conference theme and guiding pillars have been shaped with intentionality and the goal of providing career professionals with a well-rounded program of presentations that fit the needs of all of our constituency groups. In a world that is constantly changing, it is important to do our best to prepare ourselves to meet the needs of any client or student that seeks our help. In our pursuit of preparation for the future, it is important that we reflect on the past as well as consider the present and the best practices that we can build on moving into the future. At the conference, you will have the opportunity to:

• Increase your scope of practice - Gain valuable insights and understanding of special populations including their needs, perspectives, and preferred approaches to career development. You will also gain essential knowledge and skills to be able to effectively advocate for and establish equity within the workplace to ensure that all individuals can find their passion, use their knowledge and skills, and thrive!

• Understand career development throughout the lifespan - Evaluate and add to your toolbelt of strategies to effectively nurture career understanding, exposure, and development throughout childhood, adolescence, and beyond! These presentations will ensure you have the knowledge and actionable takeaways to share with clients, students, and colleagues in order to effectively navigate the current world of work as well as help yourself and others find a balance between personal and professional life.

• Be one step ahead of other career professionals - With a focus on creativity, technology, strengths, and more, attendees will receive first hand looks at innovative strategies to help clients/students and will be immersed in discussions about the current and potential future impacts technology will have on career readiness and growth. 

Why Should You Attend the 2025 OCDA Conference?

• Gain insights into cutting-edge interventions

• Network with career professionals from throughout the state of Ohio and beyond

• Elevate your career and gain tools/knowledge to elevate the careers of others

• Celebrate a significant milestone in OCDA’s rich history!

Our Target Audience

Whether they identify as counselor educators, career center staff, coaches, career development facilitators, rehabilitation counselors, consultants, transition specialists, managers, labor market and employment specialists, or school counselors and administrators, our content is crafted to benefit those working in colleges/universities, private practice, K-12 schools, business and industry, community services, workforce development, corrections, One-Stop centers, agencies, and government.

Want to Share Your Expertise? Submit A Proposal! 

The Conference Call For Proposals application will be available this coming week on Monday, November 18th! To learn more about OCDA’s conference theme and guiding pillars, you can follow THIS LINK. The deadline to submit your proposal will be January 10th, 2025 at 11:59pm EST. Proposals will be reviewed by OCDA Board members and other volunteers from OCDA’s membership. Reviewers will be assessing proposals and considering factors such as quality, target audience, and alignment with the conference theme/guiding pillars. If a proposal is accepted, up to two presenters listed on the proposal will have their registration cost for the conference waived. For all inquiries and correspondence related to program proposals, please email President-Elect/Conference Planning Chair, Kaleigh Mahon at kmahon3@kent.edu.

Additional information about conference registration will be announced at a later time. Be sure to continue checking OCDA’s website for conference information/updates and exciting announcements.

In a career landscape that is always shifting, we know that having the opportunity to attend a conference with a well-rounded program rich in diverse presentations, tools, and perspectives is highly sought after. We hope that you will join us not only to learn and network, but also celebrate a significant milestone in OCDA’s history!