Inspiring and Informative – OHEA’s 38th Annual Conference Transformed Home Economics!

On March 25th at the Holiday Inn Guelph Hotel and Conference Centre, the Ontario Home Economics Association (OHEA) hosted their 38th annual conference ‘The Transformation of Home Economics – What does the future hold?’ The full day event attracted Professional Home Economists, Dietitians, Nutritionists, bloggers, entrepreneurs and university students from Brescia, Guelph and Ryerson.

The jam packed agenda included dynamic speakers, skill exchange breakout sessions, a student focused panel discussion, award presentations and plenty of time to network, visit exhibits and participate in the popular silent auction and raffle.

Keynote Speaker - Bobby Umar - Executive leadership coach, authority on personal branding and TEDx speaker kicked-off the day with a strong dose of inspiration, brand awareness and authentic connection. Bobby challenged delegates with thought provoking questions centered around personal branding, networking and social media influence.

With interactive networking activities, such as perfecting your elevator pitch and learning the art of leaving one group conversation and joining another, combined with social media, personal branding and networking tactics, Bobby left the crowd inspired, engaged and wanting more!

Lisa Kennedy, Food Safety Coordinator, from the Canadian Partnership for Consumer Food Safety Education (CFCFSE) spoke about the role of partnership through a case study focused on mechanically tenderized beef. Lisa confirmed that Professional Home Economists are ideal professionals to pass safe food handling information on to

consumers. For the latest food safety information and CPCFSE materials and activities Lisa directed conference delegates to the www.befoodsafe.ca website.

The very inspiring and passionate Mandi Fields, from Bell TV Media & Radio, shared the story of how Tampon Tuesday (www.tampontuesday.ca) was created based on a need for feminine hygiene product donations to food banks. She emphasized the need for support, collaboration, dedication and

determination as necessities to the success of the initiative. Mandi also spoke passionately about her involvement with the See Me exhibition in which a small group of individuals came together to create an art installation in an effort to draw awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls across Canada. This project is not only raising awareness for this tragic Canadian issue, but is also providing crucial funding for the Atlohsa Native Family Healing Services.

Mandi’s daughter Ava, closed the conversation with a very heart-felt speech embracing femininity. Her words touched each and every delegate in the room - many were overcome by emotion and all took a moment to reflect.

Tonia DeBellis, Owner of Tonia DeBellis Collection (www.toniadebellis.com), shared the story of how she created her collection of ‘wear-anywhere-active-wear’ that captures her passionate vision of style for women with active lifestyles inspired by her life on-the-go. Best known for the Haute Hoodie, versatile for work, play and life, her collection also

includes active wear, outerwear, lifestyle, accessories and home. She aspires to feed her soul with pure inspiration everyday as she designs to make women of all shapes and sizes look beautiful and feel beautiful.

The final speaker of the day, Jennifer Durst from the Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington, spoke about stress and resiliency. Delegates were left with tips for coping with stress such as mediation, mindfulness, reframing situations and gratitude journaling. Jennifer spoke briefly about the stress-

disease connection, mentioning the book ‘When the Body Says No’ by Gabor Maté,  and recommending the app Calm as well as square breathing, as tools to reframe, ground and centre. 

Skill exchange breakout sessions, led by Professional Home Economists and experts in their fields, gave delegates the opportunity to learn two new skills and network with like-minded professionals. Eight engaging sessions were offered - sewing, social media, cookbook writing, finance, recipe writing, food label reading, crochet and adult learning.

Panel speakers discussed their career journeys and what the association and Professional Home Economist designation meant to them. With a focus on student engagement and growth, this discussion offered the opportunity for an open forum to discuss education, career paths and how to navigate the post-university world.

OHEA President Cindy Hartman, P.H.Ec., and OHEA Chair Michele McAdoo, P.H.Ec., took to the stage throughout the day to welcome delegates, present awards, share OHEA news, thank sponsors and close the raffle and silent auction. This year Sandra Venneri, P.H.Ec., was the recipient of the OHEA Founder’s Honour Award and Michele McAdoo, P.H.Ec., was the recipient of the OHEA President’s Distinguished Award. Congratulations to both Sandra and Michele!

Our Platinum sponsors Canola Eat Well for Life and Canada Beef, as well as our Gold sponsor Crop Life Canada were also given the opportunity to take to the stage to address conference delegates. Without our very generous sponsors this event would not be possible. A very gracious thank you to Canola Eat Well for Life, Canada Beef, Crop Life Canada, Canadian Bankers Association, Egg Farmers of Ontario, Bernardin, Ontario Pork and the Peanut Bureau of Canada. Special thanks also for all of the generous donations to the very popular #OHEA2017 swag bags, raffle and silent auction.

#OHEA2017 was a great success that left delegates feeling inspired and informed as they move forward transforming the future of Home Economics!

View our slide show of photos here!!!