Details
March 20 - 22, 2026
2026 Annual Conference
Powering The Future: Strong Skills, Strong Minds
Columbus Marriott Northwest, Dublin, OH
2026 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Late and On-Site Registration Still Available
See additional information below
Attending the conference? Click here to view important important attendee information.
HOTEL AND LOCATION INFORMATION
The 2026 OCRA Annual Conference will be held March 20-22, 2026 at
Columbus Marriott Northwest
5605 Blazer Parkway
Dublin, Ohio
All OCRA activities will take place at the Columbus Marriott Northwest.
REGISTRATION AND CONFERENCE DETAILS
Attending the conference? Click here to view important important attendee information.
Want to register for the 2026 Annual Conference?
Contact OCRA at ocraonline@gmail.com and request late/on-site conference registration information or register instantly by clicking here.
Click here for the full 2026 Annual Conference on-site brochure
Click here to view the 3-day schedule of events at a glance
Click here to view the full session descriptions and presenter bios
IMPORTANT DATES AND DEADLINES
Registration Deadline: The deadline to preregister was 3/6/2026. Registrations received after 3/6/2026 and on-site will incur a $50 late processing fee.
Refunds: Full refunds were available prior to 3/6/2026. All voluntary cancellations after 3/6/2026 will incur a $50 cancellation processing fee.
Cancellation of Event Notice: If the 2026 Annual Conference is canceled due to COVID-19 or other restrictions, full refunds will be issued.
Frequently Asked Question:
Q. Why did the prices increase after 3/6/2026?
A. Due to hotel contractual deadlines, OCRA must submit advance headcounts and incurs additional costs after those dates. The price increase helps offset those expenses.
2026 ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING AND LUNCHEON NOTICE
2026-2027 Slate of Officers and Directors Announced
and
Proposed Constitution and Bylaws Amendments Released
The 2026 Annual Business Meeting of the Ohio Court Reporters Association will take place on Saturday, March 21, 2026, from 12:15 p.m. until 2:00 p.m., at the Columbus Marriott Northwest, Dublin, Ohio. All OCRA members are encouraged to attend the Annual Business Meeting (preregistration is required).
Click here to view the full meeting notice, the 2026-2027 Slate of OCRA Officers and Directors, and the proposed Constitution and Bylaws Amendments.
HANDOUTS AND ON-SITE CONFERENCE UPDATES
Check back to this area leading up to and during the conference for handouts and announcements!
Click here to view important important attendee information.
| DATE/TIME/SESSION | ANNOUNCEMENT/HANDOUT |
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Friday, March 20, 3:15 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. Turning Sound into Access: Captioning Life Music Events |
Presenter(s) Suggestion: Attendees are welcome to bring their machine or steno practice pad to write along with the live music. Please note that electrical connections will only be available in certain areas, so be sure to have your writer fully charged if you plan to participate. |
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Friday, March 20, 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Flex Your International Attitude: Intersteno |
Presenter Tori Pittman recommends you bring your equipment (writer/realtime setup) to try out Intersteno competition material during this presentation. Please note that electrical connections will only be available in certain areas, so be sure to have your writer/laptop fully charged if you plan to participate. |
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Sunday, March 22, 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. StenoMasters: Public Speaking for Court Reporters and Captioners |
Presenter Joshua Edwards is looking for an additional one (1) or two (2) attendee(s) who would be willing to prepare a speech of three to five minutes in duration. The speeches do not have to be about court reporting or captioning, and Joshua will collaborate with you on topic ideas and presentation tips. It's fun for the audience to hear new stories from their colleagues, so contact Lin Riffle at RiffleReporting@gmail.com to let her know you want to be a part of this phenomenal opportunity to learn from and work with a public speaking pro! |
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Sunday, March 22, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Real Criminal Minds and CSI |
Handout |
VENDORS AND SPONSORS
We can't do it without you and your support!
Interested in sponsoring? Ready to see your name below? Click here to sponsor now!
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Vendors |
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Touchstone Crystal by Swarovski
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Worth Business Equipment/Worth Steno Service Please contact Steve and Mary Worth at sworth4154@gmail.com to let them know you will be bringing a machine (or two) for service. |
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Event and Session Sponsors |
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Karoscik Realtime Contest ($450) |
Riffle Reporting Service |
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Hagestrom Cup Speed Contest ($450) |
Sarah Derbin, FAPR, RDR, CRR, CRC |
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Friday Early Afternoon Refreshment/Vendor Break ($300) |
Gee Reporting, LLC |
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Friday Late Afternoon Refreshment/Vendor Break ($300) |
Kevin Magee and Cindy LaRosa |
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Silent Auction ($500) |
Federal Official Court Reporters of the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio |
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Saturday Continental Breakfast ($400) |
PRI Court Reporting |
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Saturday Morning Refreshment/Vendor Break ($300) |
Midwest Reporting Service |
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Saturday Luncheon and Business Meeting ($600) |
Kim Falgiani, RDR, CRR, CRC, CSR(HI) |
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Saturday Afternoon Refreshment/Vendor Break ($300) |
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Saturday Night President's Reception ($850) |
OCRA Past Presidents |
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Sunday Continental Breakfast ($400) |
Breakfast with OCRA's Sues Sue Coots, Sue Gee, Sue Horak, Sue Ingraham, Sue Terry, and Sue Vadnal |
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Sunday Refreshment Break ($300) |
Blair Reporting Services |
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Speakers ($200 per session) |
Friday Sessions Sessions 1, 2, and 3:
Saturday Sessions Session 4: Session 5: Session 6: Session 7:
Sunday Sessions Sessions 8 and 9: |
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General Conference Sponsors |
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Powerhouse Level |
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High Voltage Level |
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Steady Current Level |
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Connected Circuit Level |
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Spark Level |
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Student "Rising Energy" Sponsors |
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Janie Blair Lance Boardman Susan Coots Sarah Derbin Kim Falgiani Janine Ferren Marie Fresch Susan Gee Susan Horak Susan Ingraham Maria DiPaolo Jones Allison Kimmel Kelly Linkowski Sandy Narup Todd Schludt
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SILENT AUCTION INFORMATION
The OCRA Cardinal Foundation Silent Auction will be hosted online once again.
Click here to view the Silent Auction website and place your bids (or buy it now) when the time comes!
All items will be available for bids beginning at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, March 20. The Silent Auction tables will be set up to view in person by 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, and all bidding will close at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 21. Consider bringing an item or basket to the conference to be added to the online auction for bids. Items big or small are happily accepted and, of course, a tax write-off! All proceeds benefit the OCRA Cardinal Foundation.
Planning to donate an item (or two…or more)? Please complete the donation form (click here) prior to the conference so we can properly account for your donation and include it on the Silent Auction site.
Click here to view the Silent Auction website and place your bids (or buy it now) when the time comes!
FUNDRAISING AND PRIZES
In addition to our main raffle – with the grand prize of a five-night stay in a two-bedroom, two-bath oceanfront condo, with parking, in Cherry Grove, North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, along with $100 cash to spend – additional fundraising activities may take place during the weekend.
Click here to view the full list of main raffle prizes for 2026.
You can purchase your main raffle tickets in person throughout the conference or purchase your tickets online now by clicking here. Don’t miss your chance to win great prizes available this year – all in support of our association and profession right here in Ohio!
(Winners need not be present to win.)
SATURDAY NIGHT PRESIDENT'S PARTY
Saturday, March 21, 2026
7:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Unplugged: The Power Behind Who We Are
Strong Skills. Strong Minds. Strong Individuals.
- Strong skills make us competent.
- Strong minds make us resilient.
- But it’s our differences that make us powerful.
After a few days focused on Powering the Future: Strong Skills, Strong Minds, the Saturday Night President’s Party invites us to unplug. (preregistration required)
Unplugged is a celebration of the passions, perspectives, and personalities that shape who we are beyond our professional roles. From athletes to artists, travelers to tech enthusiasts, readers to risk-takers - every interest, hobby, and hidden talent represented adds depth to our profession.
Join us for a fun, celebratory evening where we recognize that what makes us strong isn’t just what we do - it’s who we are. Dress as your favorite hobby or pastime (baker, guitarist, grandparent, traveler, scuba diver, yoga instructor, etc.) and help us celebrate the individuality that strengthens our association and powers our future.
A buffet dinner will be provided, along with DJ entertainment, a full dance floor, and a cash bar. And don’t be surprised if we “unplug” with a friendly little competition for best individual costume of the night!
To ensure the evening remains welcoming and inclusive for all, we kindly ask that costumes be professional, respectful, and non-political in nature. Let’s celebrate creativity and individuality in a way that reflects the integrity and unity of our profession and association.
605 North High Street | PMB 298 | Columbus, Ohio 43215
tel: (614) 300-0906
Email: info@ocraonline.com