The first effort of this scope and magnitude in the country, Regional Day I involved 13 leadership programs that agreed to work on developing a common regional day for the 400+ members of their combined 2004 classes. On Thursday, April 29, 2004 , class members were transported to the Ralph Regula Conference Center at the Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine (NEOUCOM) in Rootstown, Ohio to broaden their understanding of Ohio’s most populous and influential region.  Patterned after the highly successful CLP program format, the day was informative, experiential and interactive.  There were networking opportunities as well as off-site visits in teams with representation from each program to explore one of the economic drivers of the region. The day also included presentations from regional and national experts and dialogue among participants and interaction with regional business representatives. All participating class members were asked to spend their program year noting the highlights of their community so they would come to the day prepared to share their discoveries with an expanded audience.

Regional Day II was held in Akron, on April 29, 2005 and Regional Day III in Lorain County on May 3, 2006.  Beginning with Regional Day IV in Cleveland on October 30, 2006, the event has moved to the beginning of the program year.  Regional Day V is slated in Stark County on October 30, 2007.  The Mahoning Valley will host the day in 2008.

OUTCOMES

• More informed about regional systems/economy
• Knowledge of other parts of the region
• Interaction with other leaders in the region
• Highlight the strengths of your community to others
• Identify constraints to regional progress
• Appreciate the potential influence of the region in Ohio
• Discuss how programs/taskforce can assist regional progress