The 2013 INVESTOhio Equity Conference to Showcase

COLUMBUS, Ohio, July 24, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The INVESTOhio Equity Conference returns to Columbus this September 12th, bringing together executives of Ohio public companies with professional money managers, institutional investors and analysts interested in corporate growth prospects.

First held in 2009, INVESTOhio features formal investment presentations from Ohio public companies representing a variety of industry sectors and market sizes located across the state. This year, companies within the utility, insurance, banking, food service, specialty chemicals and manufacturing industries are participating.

"The conference is a great way for professional investors to interact face-to-face with senior management and understand what is going on beyond the day-to-day headlines," said Terry McWilliams, an investor relations professional who is conference chairman.

"At the same time, it is a convenient forum for the state's executives to discuss growth strategies and potentially expand their investor base," McWilliams said.

The 2013 conference will be held on The Ohio State University's campus at the Ohio Union. In addition to formal presentations, individual analysts and investors can schedule one-on-one meetings with company executives. During lunch, a high-profile keynote speaker will discuss current investment and financial trends relevant to Ohio companies and the economy.

This year, the conference has also added a line-up of panel discussions in which participants will discuss critical business issues important to companies, investors and to the state. These panels, composed of industry analysts and executives, will explore key healthcare and energy issues and trends. Attendees can receive CFA and CPA professional continuing education credit for attending these sessions.

"We expect these will be fast-paced, interactive sessions that will explore issues in context and supplement the day's corporate presentations," said McWilliams.

Investment professionals and analysts can attend INVESTOhio at no cost, but online registration is required through www.invest-oh.com . The registration code is available from the invitation or by calling or emailing conference organizers. Other business professionals can attend all sessions for a nominal fee. For additional details, visit the conference website at www.invest-oh.com .

The professional services firms, Crowe Horwath LLP and Ice Miller LLP, are INVESTOhio's title sponsors. The one-day event is also supported by other sponsors, in addition to the Ohio chapters of leading professional organizations representing analysts, senior corporate financial executives, and investor relations officers.

"Crowe provides audit, tax, advisory, risk and performance consulting services to public companies throughout Ohio, so we certainly understand the importance of consistent communication between the company and its investors," said Mark Baer, local office managing partner of Crowe's Columbus office. "INVESTOhio focuses attention on Ohio's public companies and raises the state's profile as an excellent place for business and investment."

Jim Davidson, the deputy managing partner of Ice Miller, who is located in the law firm's Columbus office, said, "INVESTOhio is an opportunity to engage with some of Ohio's publicly traded companies and be part of discussions and solutions that benefit these companies and our economy. Events like INVESTOhio provide a terrific opportunity to support our Ohio business community." 

In addition to Crowe Horwath and Ice Miller, sponsors of the conference include platinum sponsor Hilliard Lyons, a financial services and wealth management firm with more than 70 offices in 12 states; and gold sponsors NASDAQ OMX, the Wall Street Transcript, Fahlgren Mortine, mergermarket.com, Wall Street Calendar, Optimum Printing, O'Neil Arnold Photography and Mozaic Investor Relations. The Fisher College of Business, The Ohio State University, is the educational partner.

Several professional organizations are supporting INVESTOhio. They include the Financial Executives International chapter in Columbus; the Central Ohio chapter of the National Investor Relations Institute, and the National Association of Corporate Directors (Three Rivers chapter).

More information can be found at www.invest-oh.com/sponsors .

The corporate presentation lineup, the keynote speaker and other activities will be announced as the event approaches.

Contact these steering committee members for more information about the event ( www.invest-oh.com ):

Media:

Terry McWilliams, Chairman, INVESTOhio, President, Mozaic Investor Relations, Inc. 614-364-4224, terrym@mozaicir.com . 

Analysts, fund managers, institutional investors:

R. Travis Upton, CFA, FRM, former president, CFA Society of Columbus, 614-228-4300, travis.upton@josephgroupinc.com

Kevin Fix, Financial Executives International – Columbus chapter, 614.372.5430, kfix@newhavencap.com

Mark Baer, Partner, Crowe Horwath LLP, 614.469.0001, mark.baer@crowehorwath.com

Jim Davidson, Partner, Ice Miller LLP, 614.462.2700

Other Steering Committee Members:

Richard Clemens,  CFA, CPA, President, Hawk100

Matt Sinkovitz,  Vice President- Research, Gratry and Company

John Schoger,  President, National Investor Relations Institute, Central Ohio Chapter.

Kelly Szejko,  National Association of Corporate Directors - Three Rivers Chapter

Elisabeth Hessler, Marketing, Crowe Horwath LLP

Lori Anger , Director of Marketing and Business Development, Ice Miller LLP

Dorothea Cernera, Stephen Chalmers, Rob Vanderheyden, NASDAQ OMX

Dorothy Martin,  President and COO, Optimum Companies

Carol Merry,  Senior Vice President, Fahlgren Mortine

Jay W. Wellman , Ph.D, CFA, Assistant Clinical Professor of Finance, Department of Finance, Fisher College of Business, The Ohio State University

Note: The INVESTOhio Equity Conference has no connection with a similarly named State of Ohio tax incentive.

Media: Terry McWilliams, Chairman, INVESTOhio, President, Mozaic Investor Relations, Inc. 614-364-4224, Analysts, fund managers, institutional investors: R. Travis Upton, CFA, FRM, former president, CFA Society of Columbus 614-228-4300, Kevin Fix, Financial Executives International - Columbus chapter 614.372.5430, Mark Baer, Partner, Crowe Horwath LLP 614.469.0001, Jim Davidson, Partner, Ice Miller LLP 614.462.2700