AKRON, Ohio — Barb Ballint, executive director of Belmont County Tourism Council Inc., recently attended the Ohio Conference on Travel at the Hilton Akron/Fairlawn Hotel and Suites in Akron, Ohio.

She joined approximately 250 other travel industry leaders to discuss travel trends and opportunities, as well as to hear from national experts. The conference, sponsored by the Ohio Travel Association, was held Oct. 31 to Nov. 2.

Keynotes at the conference included Jim Brody with Sense of Place, who discussed the latest trends and tips in digital travel marketing; Bill Geist with DMOProz, who advised attendees how to traverse disruption; and Jane Howard with Culture Effect, who presented ways to manage employee energy. The conference agenda also included sessions on diversity, visitor data, partnership, employment law, online content and more.

The Ohio Travel Association is the nonprofit association representing attractions, destination marketing organizations, hotels, museums, suppliers, restaurants, campground and other businesses who make up Ohio’s $43 billion travel industry. For more information about Belmont County Tourism visit belmontcountytourism.info. And for more information about the Ohio Travel Association and how to get involved with others in the travel industry, visit OhioTravel.org.