The Family Business Center of Central Ohio was founded in 1998 through the vision of Dick Emens, Bea Wolper, and other family business and community leaders. They created a space where family business leaders could gather, share knowledge, and find support in navigating the unique challenges of family-owned enterprises.
In 2008, following Jim Conway's transformative $1 million donation to sustain our mission, the organization was renamed the Conway Center for Family Business. Today, we remain Central Ohio's exclusive organization dedicated to serving the distinctive needs of family-owned businesses.
The Conway Center has more than 200 family business members representing more than 35,000 employees and more than 40 service provider members who work together to help family businesses be successful.
Member Services We Provide
To accomplish these goals, we:
- Host large educational programs where family business leaders gather to share and solve challenges facing their organizations through collaborative learning and discussion.
- Coordinate intimate peer group and professional development sessions that bring together small groups of family business leaders to candidly share experiences, strategies, and solutions in a trusted environment.
- Present the annual Family Business Awards and Expo, a prestigious event drawing more than 500 business and community leaders to recognize and celebrate outstanding family-owned enterprises.
- Create valuable networking opportunities through exclusive "insider" tours of leading family businesses and targeted social events designed to build lasting relationships.
- Deliver regular communications reaching thousands of members, employees, and community leaders, featuring program updates, event information, and actionable business development strategies.