Hiring the right people is one of the most consequential - and risky - decisions a family business makes. Sharon DeLay, President of GO-HR, will guide you through proven strategies to strengthen your interview process, from structured interviewing and consistent scoring to smarter decision-making and better candidate communication. You'll also explore how AI is reshaping recruiting - where it can be a real time-saver and where it can create compliance, fairness, and reputation pitfalls. Through peer discussion and real-world scenarios, you'll walk away with practical tools to build a smarter, more defensible hiring process. ... read more

Artificial intelligence is no longer something family businesses can afford to observe from the sidelines. It is reshaping workflows, margins, talent models, governance expectations, and ultimately enterprise value. But knowing AI matters and knowing what to do about it are two very different things. In this practical, executive-level session, Ryan Frederick with Transform Labs will move beyond hype and headlines to outline the concrete steps family businesses can take to thoughtfully design their organizations for the AI era. Rather than focusing on isolated tools or experiments, this session will explore how to integrate AI into operating models, decision-making structures, and long-term strategy. ... read more

This session dives into two foundational pillars of self-awareness: a clear understanding of your own behavioral drives and your level of emotional intelligence (EQ). John Broer, Principal and Co-Founder of Real Good Ventures, will guide participants in recognizing why leaders and managers must prioritize this essential skill to uncover their true Superpowers (unique strengths) and Kryptonite (potential derailers). Drawing from decades of hands-on experience applying validated scientific assessments and diagnostic tools with leaders, John will share practical strategies to cultivate deeper self-awareness. Attendees will discover proven tools for enhancing emotional intelligence, enabling them to better adapt to workplace challenges, respond more effectively, and show up as more impactful, supportive leaders. ... read more

Talent & Balance: Attracting and Keeping Top Performers While Building a Sustainable Workplace - Today's workforce wants more than a paycheck - they want purpose, flexibility, growth, and a culture that supports long-term success. For family businesses, balancing high performance with employee wellbeing can be especially challenging. This program explores how family businesses can attract and retain top talent while building a healthy, resilient workplace culture. Panelists will share practical strategies around leadership, flexibility, burnout prevention, and employee engagement - creating environments where people genuinely want to stay and grow. Whether you're struggling to hire, improve retention, or build a stronger workplace for the future, this conversation offers valuable insights for family business leaders at every stage. ... read more

Growth is exciting, but for family businesses, scaling successfully raises a critical question: how do you expand without sacrificing the culture, values, and relationships that made you successful in the first place? This panel brings together family business leaders who have navigated real periods of growth while intentionally preserving what matters most, including trust, accountability, customer relationships, and a people-first culture. Panelists will share candid lessons and practical strategies on hiring values-aligned leaders, communicating vision across a growing organization, balancing innovation with tradition, and building systems without losing entrepreneurial spirit. Whether you're preparing for your next stage of growth or already in the thick of rapid expansion, this session will give you actionable insights for scaling in a way that strengthens your culture and legacy. ... read more

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Optimizing Talent in an Age of Uncertainty In an era of relentless economic uncertainty, talent shortages, and generational transitions, Central Ohio family businesses can’t afford to treat people as just another expense—they are your greatest competitive advantage and the key to preserving your legacy. Join John Broer of Real Good Ventures for practical, family-business-specific strategies to attract, retain, and develop the right people, turn workforce challenges into growth drivers, and build a resilient organization that thrives no matter what the economy throws at you. Discover how to solve today’s hiring and retention challenges while preparing the next generation of leaders—so your family business doesn’t just survive the next decade, it leads it. ... read more

The Sales & Marketing Exchange is a quarterly, peer-to-peer roundtable designed for Conway Center member owners and leaders who are responsible for driving growth in their family business. It provides a confidential forum to work through real-time sales and marketing decisions with peers facing similar challenges. Come share what is working, what is not working and learn what other family businesses are doing to drive the marketing and sales engines. ... read more

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TBD This roundtable is facilitated by Donna Musilli of DM360. With more than 35 years of leadership and coaching experience, Donna brings a rich background in partnering with family-owned businesses to strengthen leaders, support next-generation transitions, and build healthy workplace cultures. All women from Conway Center member companies - family, non-family, and service provider members - are welcome and encouraged to attend these quarterly roundtables. ... read more