FROM THE DESK

From the Director of Business and Trade Operations

Bill Wittman, Director of Business and Trade Operations

Bill Wittman,

Director of Business and Trade Operations

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

It is both an honor and a privilege to serve the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) as the Director of Business and Tradeshow Operations. As we reflect on the incredible successes of the 2024–2025 year, I am excited to share that we exceeded our partnership goals and strengthened the support for our organization. Our recent professional development conference and tradeshow were nothing short of outstanding. We successfully sold over 215 booths, with representation from more than 135 organizations and universities. Throughout our February event, we had the pleasure of hosting nearly 10,000 attendees who visited the Tradeshow.

A standout moment of the OMEA Conference was the debut of the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Stage,” which showcased our talented jazz ensembles throughout the weekend. We also introduced the Steinway Salon, which offered attendees an opportunity to learn about the innovative “Spirio Piano,” a first for us!

OMEA remains steadfast in our commitment to providing unparalleled services to our members, constituents, exhibitors, and all those connected to the world of music education.

As we look ahead, preparations are well underway for our 2025–2026 fiscal year. Our newly revamped digital journal, TRIAD, alongside other offerings such as Website Ads, the State Marching Band Finals Program, and more, continue to serve our community in exciting new ways. I encourage all of you to explore the refreshed format of TRIAD to see firsthand the innovative direction we are taking with this publication.

Furthermore, I encourage our universities to consider contributing to or obtaining a copy of Contributions to Music Education, a journal exclusively dedicated to music research. Published annually by OMEA, this journal showcases exceptional research in music education from across the country. The journal is offered at a minimal cost and is an invaluable resource for those involved in the field of music. If you are interested in obtaining a copy, please don’t hesitate to contact my office. The next edition will be available by June 1, 2025.

As always, I am here to assist in any way I can. Whether through a phone call, text, or email, please feel free to reach out to me if I can support you, your organization, or anyone in the music education community.

The Ohio Music Education Association is proud to serve music students, professional educators, musicians, and all those passionate about music across our state and region. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to support this vibrant community.

Wishing you all a wonderful and restful summer!

Warm regards,

Bill Bill Wittman Director of Business and Tradeshow Operations Business_director@omea-ohio.org 740-975-3753

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