July 1 – September 30, 2025
From Expansion to Execution: OEDA’s Q3 2025 in Review
In Q3 2025 (July–September), OEDA expanded high-value education and engagement while preparing for record fall events. We ran Site Selection & Development (43 registrants), two MORPC-partnered intermediate courses (116 total), two topical webinars (232), and advanced the OhioCED Capstone (18 presenters); the AI Committee set a steady monthly cadence. Statewide engagement remained strong: 13 OEDA Express and 3 OEDA Advocate issues (~49% and ~46% opens), and LinkedIn grew by 739 to 4,930 on 172 posts and 118k impressions. Policy & Advocacy progressed as the Policy Platform moved to Board consideration and 2026 Legislative Conference dates/venues were set. Membership momentum carried into early Q4, Inclusive ED advanced a framework, and finance actions positioned reserves to earn interest—closing a disciplined quarter ahead of the Summit.
KPI Highlights (through Q3 2025; compiled Oct. 9, 2025)
- Membership: on track vs. FY target, YoY growth strong.
- Summit Sponsorships: above target (commitments secured).
- Education: Core & Intermediate Course enrollments at/above plan.
- Certification: OhioCED grads pacing to goal.
- Communications: newsletter opens and LinkedIn growth above benchmark.
See Appendix A: KPI Scorecard (table of all Scope-of-Work KPIs).
EDUCATON
OEDA delivered a strong mix of in-person and virtual programs in Q3, added new intermediate offerings, and advanced the certification pipeline.
- Core Courses & Capstone: Site Selection and Development (Core Course, Aug. 14-15): 43 registered. Capstone Course (Cohort VIII): 18 students presented projects and completed essays on Sept. 19 in Columbus.
- Intermediate Courses (with MORPC, Columbus): Two sessions on Sept. 17. Fiscal Impact Analysis (60 registered). Economic Impact Analysis (56 registered).
- Topical Webinars: Discover What’s New with TMUD (Transformational Mixed-Use Development Program) (Aug. 21, 112 registered); JobsOhio Relocation Incentive (Aug. 29, 120 registered).
- AI Committee: Established a regular monthly cadence (fourth Friday of the month), piloted live-demo formats, and explored partnerships (AI Owl, Katie Milton Jordan).
EVENTS
By the time the Annual Summit took place, October 14-17, 2025,the results were:
- Registrations: 597 (399 in 2023 -> 477 in 2024 -> 597 in 2025 | +50% in two years).
- Sponsorship (commitments): $200,000 ($50k -> $138k -> $200k | +300% in two years).
- Speakers: 114 across 50+ sessions (87 -> 67 -> 114).
- Exhibitors: 40 (~10 -> 10 -> 40).
Full feedback and financials will be in the Q4 report.
INFORMATION & ENGAGEMENT
We continued to execute on our commitment to a high level of in-person and online engagement, as well as sharing valuable and relevant information via our newsletters.
Regional Tours: David was on the road 42% of the quarter, with 13 tour days across all regions: 19 meetings, 3 speeches, 10 regional events, 2 conferences.
Social Media Growth: OEDA’s LinkedIn following grew from 4,191 -> 4,930 (+17%) during Q3; activity totaled 172 posts, 118k impressions, 3k reactions, 99 comments, 74 reposts; ranked #1 for new followers, posts, and total engagement in our tracked cohort of top state associations.
Newsletters: 13 OEDA Express and 3 OEDA Advocate issues; opens ~49% and 46% respectively—above typical association benchmarks.
POLICY & ADVOCACY
The focus for the third quarter was the Policy Platform, aiming to get it approved and unveil at the Summit in the fourth quarter. Additionally, nailing down the Legislative Conference Platform was also viewed as essential.
Policy Platform: Advanced from v5 -> v12.5 in Q3; on Sept. 4, the Government Affairs Committee unanimously approved and recommended it to the Executive Committee/Board; the Board scheduled consideration for Oct. 14.
Legislative Conference: Committee voted (Sept. 4) to hold the 2026 full-day event at the Athletic Club of Columbus on Mar. 26, 2026, with a Legislative Reception at Bricker Graydon on Mar. 24 (avoids conflict with NCAA First Four in Dayton).
Legislator Meetings: Staff met with legislators to share practitioner perspectives on potential impacts of proposed laws and programs.
MEMBERSHIP & ORGANIZATON
Membership growth continued; inclusive ED advanced; finance actions to improve yield on reserves.
- Membership (Q4 Preview – data pull 10/24/2025): OEDA Membership stood at 913 by late October.
- Inclusive ED Committee: Drafted ED for All values statement (four versions) and a Strategic Framework (three versions) with strategies and metrics.
- Finance Committee: Met regularly; worked with Huntington on an investment proposal; established a money market account to earn interest on cash reserves.