By Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) supported the 2026 Ohio Business Enterprise (BE) Program Statewide Conference, held May 1-2, 2026 at Mohican State Park, with focus on Ohio business owners who are blind.
The setting offered a relaxed and welcoming environment that encouraged BE Operators and staff to connect, learn, and share ideas. A total of 52 BE Operators attended, bringing overall attendance to 106 participants, including BE Operators’ staff, presenters, exhibitors, and OOD personnel.
The BE Program plays a crucial role in empowering Ohioans who are legally blind to pursue entrepreneurial careers in food service management. Participants are trained and licensed to manage a variety of establishments, including cafeterias, micro-markets, convenience stores, snack bars, and vending operations in state and federal buildings.
Under the Randolph-Sheppard Act and Ohio Revised Code, licensed Operators enjoy priority access to managing businesses at interstate highway rest areas and other government venues, including state colleges and universities. OOD is committed to providing ongoing support, technical assistance, and training to ensure their success.
The conference centered on national updates and emerging industry trends, with keynote speaker Michael Colbrunn of the National Association of Blind Merchants (NABM) offering insight into developments shaping BE programs nationwide.
Additional sessions included taxation guidance from Phil Chu, a technical overview of the Cantaloupe card reader by Operator Chris Johnson, and an industry update from Michael Hoag of the National Automated Merchandising Association (NAMA), while exhibitors and resource partners provided tools and information to support Operators’ business needs.
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