Today we’d like to introduce you to Betsy Bashore.
Hi Betsy, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
D-Day Ohio, the parent organization of D-Day Conneaut, was created in 2009, though the event was already 10 years old. Started in 1999 by NE Ohio native John Keaton, D-day Conneaut has grown into an international event, bringing tens of thousands of visitors to Conneaut each summer. From very humble beginnings, the event has grown to one of the largest in North America and is the largest D-Day recreation in the world. We are fortunate to have a loyal following of reenactors, history enthusiasts, and their families, government support agencies, and donors.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
With any large-scale endeavor, there are hurdles. During the 2010-2015 period, rapid growth presented challenges, in 2020, we were unable to hold the event due to COVID and, when we returned to programming in 2021, it was with a significantly reduced attendance managed through ticketing (even though the event is free). We have raised our attendance cap each year since the pandemic, and last year (2023), the event felt fairly normal. Our challenge on the horizon this year is the 80th anniversary of D-Day, which is likely to increase demand for spectator tickets and spots for reenactors.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
All of our ‘employees’ are volunteers. I work for a government agency, our COO owns a business in Conneaut, and our CFO is a consultant. All of our volunteers bring talents to our organization and the diversity of background and experiences have made our organization stronger and more nimble.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
We don’t see a big shift in the demand for educational programming, though we will likely have our first event without WWII veterans in attendance in the next few years. When that occurs, the responsibility to accurately tell the story of WWII and D-Day will fall squarely on the shoulders of our organization and organizations like us. It’s a tremendous responsibility and honor.
Contact Info:
- Website: Ddayohio.us
- Instagram: Ddayohio1944
- Facebook: D-Day Conneaut
- Twitter: @ddayohio1944
Image Credits
D-Day Ohio, Inc.
