Conference Services to become a one-stop shop within Event Services

After months of research and planning between Ohio University Culinary Services, Housing and Residence Life, and Event Services, the leadership of the Division of Student Affairs has decided to move Conference Services operations to Event Services, effective July 1.

Moving Conference Services operations from Housing and Residence Life to Event Services will allow for greater coordination of conferencing on the Athens Campus and make Ohio University a destination for conferencing business throughout the state and region. The mission of Conference Services is to provide seamless support to University constituents for all of their conference needs, including housing, parking, dining, and event space. 

The Conference Services office will be housed in Baker University Center, the hub of event activity on the Athens Campus. A new position, director of Conference Services, will be posted in the near future, and Nikki Ohms, assistant director of Conference Services in Housing and Residence Life, will transition into Event Services in July.

Dusty Kilgour, executive director of Event Services, said, “We are excited by the renewed partnership with Housing and Residence Life and Culinary Services and we all feel that Conference Services has untapped potential at Ohio University. A new one-stop shop, led by a director of Conference Services, will allow us to partner with our academic colleagues across campus to develop a robust conferencing model that benefits everyone. This model is more efficient and effective, and has the potential for significant revenue growth for our campus community.”

Pete Trentacoste, executive director of Housing and Residence Life, added, “We’re currently only utilizing a small percentage of our bed capacity in summer compared to our peers, and I believe a dedicated one-stop shop will enable our campus to attract additional summer conferences to Ohio University.”

“We are looking forward to showcasing our beautiful campus and first-rate services with conference planners and attendees,” added Gwyn Scott, associate vice president for Auxiliaries.