General FAQ
The Conway Center for Family Business is a non-profit membership organization that provides solutions for family-owned businesses. We provide educational programs, resources, and networking opportunities to support the growth and success of family-owned businesses.
Our mission is to:
- help family businesses be profitable and successful
- assist family business owners with the transition of their business to the next generations
- celebrate the accomplishments of outstanding family businesses within our community
- increase awareness of the positive impact family businesses have on our economy.
Yes. The Conway Center for Family Business is a 501(c)3 non-profit that provides educational resources and programs for family-owned businesses. Your tax-deductible donation, large or small, helps us continue to provide relevant and timely support to family-owned businesses.
Family-owned business membership is open to family businesses employing two or more family members who work in a family-controlled business. Learn more about Family Business Membership.
Yes. You can search our Member Directory alphabetically or by industry to learn more about our members.
The Conway Center for Family Business includes approximately 200 family-owned businesses that collectively employ more than 35,000 individuals.
Service Provider members are companies that provide professional services that benefit family-owned businesses. They provide expertise to our members through webinars, program facilitation, blog posts, and contributions through annual dues.
The Conway Center for Family Business is Central Ohio’s only independent organization that exclusively supports the interests of family businesses. Membership is limited to family-run organizations and we keep the benefits and challenges of family dynamics at the forefront of our programming. The Conway Center has a strict non-solicitation policy that creates a collaborative and collegial relationship-building atmosphere.
The Conway Center for Family Business main office is located on the campus of Ohio Dominican University at 1216 Sunbury Rd, Columbus, OH 43219. Most Conway Center programs are held in the Community Room at Alumni Hall or Griffin Student Center on the Ohio Dominican University campus. The Conway Center also holds various programs and networking opportunities throughout the Central Ohio region. View our Calendar of Upcoming Programs.
Please contact Jill Hofmans, Executive Director of Conway Center for Family Business, at jhofmans@familybusinesscenter.com
View our website’s Privacy Policy.
Member FAQ
General
Being engaged with our programs and events is the best way to experience everything the Conway Center has to offer. Every member has access to valuable family business resources that can only be found through us and professionals experienced in assisting family-owned businesses. Read about all the benefits of membership at the Conway Center, and view a short video from our Executive Director explaining membership engagement and the importance of our non-solicitation policy.
Anyone can refer a family-owned business. Member referrals can be submitted using our online Membership Referral form.
The Conway Center for Family Business encourages relationship building and networking among family business members and between service provider members and family business members. However, the Conway Center prohibits overt solicitation in all forms to preserve our members trust and privacy. All must adhere to our non-solicitation policy.
- Family Business members are prohibited from using direct mail, e-mail, and cold calls to solicit other family business members. See examples for clarification.
- Service Provider members are also strictly prohibited from soliciting family business members in any way, including verbal and written communication, direct mail, e-mail, and cold calls.
Dues and program fees can be paid by check, Venmo, or by credit card using our online Payment Center.
Programs
Programs and Member Events - General
The Conway Center for Family Business provides highly relevant, topical, and original programming that helps members learn, stay informed, and share experiences with their peers. These family business-focused educational programs are unique to the Conway Center and cannot be found anywhere else in Central Ohio. These include our monthly educational program, Peer Groups, and Webinars.
In addition, we offer events that allow members to build strong relationships. Some of the most productive experiences are created in less formal settings where relationships can be built, ideas shared, and new opportunities explored. These events include our annual Family Business Awards & Expo, Golf Outing, Family Business Showcases, and other Networking and Social Events.
Most Conway Center for Family Business programs are held in the Community Room at Alumni Hall or Griffin Student Center on the Ohio Dominican University campus. The Conway Center also holds various programs and networking opportunities throughout the Central Ohio region. View our Calendar of Upcoming Programs.
For Conway Center for Family Business events on the campus of Ohio Dominican University, this Parking Pass must be displayed in your windshield. We will have passes onsite if you forget to print one. If you receive a parking ticket while attending a Conway Center event at ODU, please notify our COO/Events Manager, Amy Dotts at adotts@familybusinesscenter.com.
Free, on-site parking may not be available for Conway Center events outside of ODU’s campus. Please refer to your program’s specific event details for information about parking, or contact Amy Dotts with any questions.
The monthly educational programs provide valuable information on family business topics presented by family business leaders and experts.
View upcoming monthly Educational Programming.
Up to two individuals of a (non-member) family-owned business may attend their first monthly educational program as our guest at no charge. The fee for all subsequent programs is $50/person and invoices will be sent prior to each session.
For all other non-family-owned business guests - the following fees apply:
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- $50 first-time; $250 each subsequent monthly educational program.
All non-family-owned business guests who have not been personally invited will be contacted prior to the program and will be sent an invoice along with the Conway Center non-solicitation policy.
Family Business Showcases provide our members with an insider’s perspective into how the host’s family business works, what makes it successful, and how it plans to grow for the future. Conway Center for Family Business family-owned business members, Service Providers, and the general public are welcome to join us. There is no fee to attend, but an RSVP is required.
Please contact Amy Dotts, COO & Events Manager if you want your family business to be considered for a future Showcase - adotts@familybusinesscenter.com
The Conway Center holds several events to facilitate interaction among members and to develop deeper relationships among new and prospective members. These events include, but are not limited to, Family Business Showcases, our annual Family Business Awards & Expo, an annual Golf Outing, our Connect with the Conway quarterly information sessions, and several social and networking events throughout the year.
If you have registered for an onsite event and need to cancel your registration, please notify Amy at adotts@familybusinesscenter.com
If we ever must cancel an onsite educational program, peer group, or event due to inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances, we will send an email to all our members who are registered for that event.
In addition, all cancellations will be noted on our website calendar. Please note: as our host site, if Ohio Dominican University cancels classes for any reason, we too, will cancel.
If you are ever uncertain whether we will be meeting, please check your email, turn on your radio or television for an ODU closure announcement, or look for an update on the event page on our website before you head out the door. If there’s no announcement or no e-mail from us in your inbox, that means we’re waiting for you to join us!
You are encouraged to register for a webinar even if you are unable to attend. The webinar recording is sent to all registered attendees shortly after the webinar.
Webinar recordings will also be available in the Member Information Center for members-only within a few weeks after the completion of each webinar. If you have questions or difficulties accessing a recording, please contact Amy Dotts at lflint@familybusinesscenter.com
Peer Groups
Session descriptions, dates, times, and locations for the Conway Center for Family Business’ various Peer Groups can be found on our website.
Peer Groups meet monthly and are small groups, ranging from about 6-15. These topic-driven facilitated groups provide a confidential environment for idea exchange, family business education, and personal growth. Peer Groups give you an opportunity to learn by seeking advice from professionals and peers who have “been there, done that” and who are willing to share their knowledge and experiences – all while respecting the confidentiality of members in a small group setting.
Roundtables are larger facilitated peer groups that typically meet quarterly. The peer-to-peer interaction and learning from each other is still an integral part of the sessions, but these are often more didactic in nature.
Most Peer Groups are open to all Conway Center members and their employees. Note that by clicking the Learn More button for each Peer Group description it will further delineate who may attend.
Except for C-Suite Peer Groups,– all Peer Groups are drop-in and included in your membership - you just need to RSVP and show up! Simply RSVP via the register button on the website or send an email to Amy Dotts, COO & Events Manager at: adotts@familybusinesscenter.com.
Yes! Service Providers are welcome to attend the Leadership Development, Succession Planning and Women in Family Business Peer Groups if they want to learn about the topic themselves or if they feel they have something relevant to add to the discussion.
Service Providers are also welcome and encouraged to attend all Roundtables, Webinars, and our Monthly Educational Program. For a full list of programs, visit the Programs page of our website.
Only the C-Suite Peer Groups and EOS Integrator Peer Group have an additional fee to attend – all others are FREE as part of your Conway Center membership. This includes all family AND non-family employees.
Most Peer Groups are held on the 2nd floor of the Griffin Student Center at Ohio Dominican University, 1215 Sunbury Rd, Columbus, OH 43219. There is free parking in the lot but you must display a Parking Pass. Session descriptions, dates, times and locations are found here.
On the Leadership Development, Succession Planning, and Women in Family Business Peer Group pages, you will see a mailing list form. By joining a Peer Group mailing list, you will receive an email invitation of the topic and location one week prior to each session, along with a link to RSVP. You do not need to belong to a mailing list to attend, it is just a convenience to alert you to upcoming sessions.
Note that not all Peer Groups have mailing lists as some groups are not open to all. Also, there is no need to join a mailing list for roundtables and webinars - invitations are sent to the entire membership.
Unless otherwise specified, four attendees per family-business member companies are allowed to join a session. Two attendees per service provider member companies are allowed to join a session.
Sure! We ask you to register so we can have a name tent for you and make appropriate arrangements based on group size. If you forget, please come anyway!
Please send Amy Dotts an email at adotts@familybusinesscenter.com if you know in advance that you will be unable to attend. Unfortunately there is no way to cancel online.
No, only Conway Center members are eligible to participate in Peer Groups.
If you are interested in Conway Center membership, you are welcome to attend a monthly educational program as our guest. Please contact Amy at adotts@familybusinesscenter.com for more information.
Feel free to reach out anytime to Amy Dotts, COO & Events Manager at adotts@familybusinesscenter.com or 614-847-0160.
Webinars
Our live Webinars are listed in the Programs section of our website. The recordings are then uploaded to the Member Information Center under Resources.
Go to the Webinar event page and register. An email will be sent to you with the registration confirmation and log-in information from ZOOM for the webinar.
No, webinars are in listen-only mode for attendees so you will not be on camera and you will be muted. You do have the ability to interact and ask questions through the Q&A and chat.
Yes!
Webinars are free for all Conway Center members. There is a $50 fee for non-members.
Yes, register for the Webinar and we will send you a link to the recording immediately following the Webinar.
All Webinars will be available in the Member Information Center for members-only shortly after the completion of each program. If you have questions about accessing a recording, please contact Lorna Flint at lflint@familybusinesscenter.com
Service Provider members are welcome to propose Webinar topics that are interesting, informative, and relevant to family business. Contact Jill Hofmans, Executive Director at jhofmans@familybusinesscenter.com to discuss.
Contact Lorna Flint at lflint@familybusinesscenter.com
Awards & Expo
Awards
The Conway Center’s annual Family Business Awards and Expo is Central Ohio’s only program celebrating the accomplishments of family-owned businesses. The Awards Luncheon honors recipients in categories consistent with the success and longevity of a family business: leadership, succession planning, support, and community engagement
- Award recipients need to be nominated for one or more of several award categories to be considered for a Family Business Award.
- Family Businesses can be nominated for an Award through our Award Nomination Form. Nominees do not have to be members of the Conway Center to be considered for an award.
Registration is required to attend the Family Business Awards Luncheon. You do not have to be a Conway Center member to attend the awards program. When registering online, choose an individual ticket or a table of 8 to bring additional members from your family business.
Fees are structured based on a Member/Non-Member rate. Fees to attend the Awards Luncheon are as follows:
- $85 - member ticket
- $105 - non-member ticket
- $600 - member table of 8
- $800 - non-member table of 8
With your registration to the Family Business Awards program, meet and mingle at the Family Business Expo from 10 a.m. - noon. Your ticket reserves your seat and lunch during the awards ceremony from noon - 1:30 p.m.
As many as you want! Tables of 8 and individual tickets are available for purchase. If you require more than one table, we will be sure to seat your guests adjacent to each other.
Yes. Please contact Jill Hofmans to make arrangements for your group at jhofmans@familybusinesscenter.com
For revisions or questions about your registration, please contact Amy Dotts, COO & Event Manager adotts@familybusinesscenter.com
Yes, we offer three sponsorship levels for family businesses and service providers:
- Signature Sponsors (exclusive) - $6,500
- Name and logo in the printed program, on the website, on the PowerPoint presentation at the program, and all social media posts.Opportunity for a representative to announce one category winner from the podium
- Complimentary 1/2 page ad in the program
- Table of 10
- Expo Table with preferred booth placement
- Visionary Sponsor - $4,500
- Name and logo in the printed program, on the website, on the PowerPoint presentation at the program, and all social media posts.
- Complimentary 1/4 page ad in the program
- Table of 8
- Expo table with preferred booth placement
- Contributing Sponsor - $2,500
- Name and logo in the printed program, on the website, on the PowerPoint presentation at the program, and all social media posts.
- Four luncheon tickets
- Complimentary 1/8 page ad in the program
- Expo Table with preferred booth placement
Full-color advertisement in the program (8.5 x 11.0" size) is available, you do not need to be a Conway Center member to place an ad. The deadline is October 14, 2024.
Cost: 1/8 page = $200 | 1/4 page = $350 | 1/2 page = $500 | Full page =$750
For questions, please contact Amy Dotts, COO & Events Manager at adotts@familybusinesscenter.com
Expo
The Family Business Expo is a wonderful business development opportunity available exclusively to Conway Center members and non-member honorees. The Expo provides members the opportunity to showcase their business, products, and services to the hundreds of family business and community leaders who attend our Annual Awards Program celebrating the accomplishments of family-owned businesses.
Conway Center Family Business and Service Provider members, and award honorees can exhibit at the Family Business Expo.
$350 on or before the early bird deadline of October 31. Price increases to $400 on November 1.
- 6-foot draped table with two chairs
- Two tickets for the Family Business Award Luncheon immediately following the Expo, beginning at noon
- Company listing of participation in our Expo Directory with website link to your site and company description
- Inclusion in our printed Awards program and annual Communicator, our print newsletter that is sent to more than 6,000 family business and community leaders.
Two tickets are included with your Expo space, but you are more than welcome to register additional luncheon attendees. VIEW additional information about the Awards Luncheon. Please email Amy at adotts@familybusinesscenter.com to register additional luncheon guests.
Two tickets are included with your Expo space. If you have also have a table of 8 at the luncheon, we'd give you the reduced table rate and subtract the cost of the 2 comped tickets that come with the expo. For 2024, the total cost is $800: $350 expo table + $450 luncheon ($600 table rate - $150 comped tickets from expo). VIEW additional information about the Awards Luncheon. Please email Amy at adotts@familybusinesscenter.com to register additional luncheon guests.
Just comment when registering or email Amy at adotts@familybusinesscenter.com to let her know. We will remove the table and/or chairs but please remember that you are only allotted the equivalent amount of space (6 feet wide).
Consideration is given so that you are not situated next to a competing business. Sponsors and award recipients are placed near the main ballroom entrance where the Awards luncheon takes place. An email will be sent to the Expo contact one week prior to the show with event details and table assignment/floorplan.
Indicate on your registration that you will be requiring electric. Note that only the outlet with a small power strip is available, you must bring your own extension cords if needed for your set-up.
Wi-Fi internet is available in certain areas of the hotel but not guaranteed. If you need Internet at your expo table, contact Amy at least 3 weeks prior to the event at adotts@familybusinesscenter.com.
No, but you can come as early as 9:00 am to set up your display.
You can have up to two representatives at your Expo booth.
Yes, if you would like us to announce a raffle item or give-away, please email Amy a description by October 31st. Our non-solicitation policy prohibits distributing attendee contact information for marketing purposes. We will however send an email to ALL registered Awards & Expo attendees the week prior to the show with the Expo Directory that includes the raffle listing. All raffles will be conducted at your individual tables, we will encourage attendees to bring business cards. View more details about the raffle.
Yes! Traffic through the Expo is typically a little lighter the first 45 minutes of the Expo. This is a good time for you to visit with and learn about the products and services of the other Conway Center members.
Amy Dotts, COO/Events Manager at adotts@familybusinesscenter.com or 614/847-0160 (cell)
Member Information Center (MIC)
The Conway Center for Family Business created the Member Information Center (MIC) as a benefit for members to access Conway Center resources.
Conway Center Family Business and Service Provider members are welcome and encouraged to use the Member Information Center. All must adhere to our non-solicitation policy, prohibiting overt solicitation in all forms to preserve the trust and privacy of our members.
On the Conway Center website at familybusinesscenter.com, the blue Member Login button at the top takes you to the Member Information Center (MIC) log-in page. If you do not know your username or password, the “Forgot your username/password?” link on that page can help. If you are still having problems, contact us to let us know you cannot log in to the MIC.
From the top menu bar of the MIC, click Resources. You can filter by category or type, or you can search by name. All webinars are classified as “website” file types. Open the resource by clicking on the title link. Note that peer groups are not included in resources as they are not recorded. The only exceptions are the occasional peer groups that have a guest speaker on a particular subject.
YES, we respect your privacy, and you have control over how your information is displayed both in the Member Information Center and the Conway Center business directory. Refer to STEP 7 – Display Preferences in the “How to Update Personal Information” procedure when in the MIC.
From the left panel in the MIC, select Company Information, then Employees to add or delete employees. Refer to the procedure on How to Add/Delete Employees. Note, only primary/billing reps are authorized to do so.
Complete our member referral form, or, on the MIC homepage in the right-hand panel there is a referral button that links to a brief form. Referrals are our biggest source of getting new members to join, so we appreciate it!
Amy Dotts, COO & Events Manager at adotts@familybusinesscenter.com
Prospective Member Faq
Becoming a Member
The Conway Center for Family Business offers two types of memberships: Memberships for businesses with two or more family members working in a family controlled business; and Service Provider Membership for firms or individuals with expertise in serving family businesses.
Complete the online Member Application to be considered for membership. After submitting your application, a Conway Center staff member will be in contact with you with more information.
Up to two individuals of a (non-member) family-owned business may attend their first monthly educational program as our guest at no charge. The fee for all subsequent programs is $50/person and invoices will be sent prior to each session.
We frequently update our website with resources and information relevant to all types of family businesses. If you live outside of Central Ohio and are interested in a specific Conway Center program or resource, please contact Jill Hofmans, Conway Center Executive Director, to discuss your options.
Membership dues are structured based on the size of your family business.
- Under 10 full-time employees – $385 per year
- 10-75 full-time employees – $560 per year
- 76+ full-time employees – $710 per year
Most Conway Center programs and resources are free with membership. Some fees may apply to cover operations costs for certain programs like the Annual Family Business Awards & Expo, CEO/C-Suite Peer Groups, or annual Golf Outing.
Anyone! Most Conway Center programs and resources are accessible to both family and non-family members of your family business. If you have questions about non-family members engaging with certain Conway Center Programs or Peer Groups, please contact Amy Dotts, COO & Events Manager at adotts@familybusinesscenter.com.
Yes, the Conway Center for Family Business offers Service Provider membership to individuals and organizations that provide professional services benefiting family businesses.
Member Benefits
Benefits for Conway Center for Family Business members include, but are not limited to:
- Free admittance for all members of your family business to ten educational programs each year.
- Eligibility to participate in Peer Groups.
- Build and grow your network by interacting on a regular basis with other members of family-owned businesses and knowledgeable service providers.
- Subscription to annual print newsletter, The Communicator.
- Monthly email updates about events sponsored by the Conway Center for Family Business and advice and information of interest to family business leaders.
- Opportunity to invite guests to programs in order to introduce them to the Conway Center.
- Invitation to attend, at no cost, the Family Business Showcases.
- Invitation to attend our Annual Family Awards Program and Expo.
- Opportunity to participate in our Annual Golf Open.
- Access to professionals experienced in working with family businesses.
Some of these programs available to Conway Center for Family Business members include our annual Family Business Awards & Expo, Monthly Educational Programs, Networking and Social Events and Peer Groups. Please browse our website for events and topics that can provide solutions to your family business challenge.
Conway Center for Family Business members have access to online resources like our Monthly Newsletter, Member Directory, Service Provider Directory, Blog, Webinars, eBooks, and Case Studies. Other resources and opportunities to collaborate with other family businesses can be found in our Member Information Center, including an event calendar and webinar recordings.
Benefits for Conway Center for Family Business service provider membership include, but are not limited to:
- Opportunity to build business relationships with 200+ Conway Center members and Service Providers at programs and other events.
- Inclusion in the Service Provider Resource Guide, a printed and digital publication promoting services provided, along with contact information.
- Recognition and high visibility on the Conway Center’s website, in the printed and digital Service Provider Resource Guide, and in our newsletter, The Communicator, which is sent to 6,000+ family business and community leaders.
- Logo and contact information placement in the Family Business Awards Program, given to 500+ luncheon attendees.
- Ability to interact on a regular basis with other members of family-owned businesses and knowledgeable service providers.
- Opportunity to present and facilitate educational programs to our members.
Events
- Up to two individuals of a (non-member) family-owned business may attend their first monthly educational program as our guest at no charge. The fee for all subsequent programs is $50/person and invoices will be sent prior to each session.
- In addition, Family Business Showcases and our annual Golf Outing are open to the public with registration, and the annual Family Business Awards & Expo may be attended by the public with the purchase of a ticket.
- Nominees do not have to be members of the Conway Center to be considered for a Family Business Award.