Annual Meeting March 17, 2026 10am EST Hilton Columbus at Easton - 3900 Chagrin Dr, Columbus, OH 43219
Note: There will not be an annual NESO Convention in 2026

The NESO Board of Directors & Josh Schmieg, DQOA Exe Director will be in Attendance

To:  All members of North Eastern Store Owners Inc.
From: Tom Cleary, NESO President & Jeff Haynes, Executive Secretary NESO
Subject: 2026 Annual Meeting of NESO Membership – March 17, 2026 10am EST, Hilton Columbus at Easton - 3900 Chagrin Dr, Columbus, OH 43219

All members are encouraged to attend and if necessary, cast their votes via one of the following:

1. Attend in person
2. Attend via Zoom/Phone In: Register for Zoom Call at link below
3. *Submit your Registration & proxy form ONLINE CLICK HERE    

All Members please fill out the registration form and PROXY, EVEN IF YOU ARE ATTENDING IN PERSON or VIA ZOOM/PHONE.
If you are in attendance at the meeting you may vote outside of your proxy.

Scan/Photo this QR code with your phone camera to fill out and submit Registration / Proxy form

The NESO Board of Directors will be attending in person for the Annual meeting.
Josh Schmieg, DQOA Executive Director will also be in attendance and speaking.

There is currently no planned Food or Functions other than the meeting itself. 
If you need a room, please contact Andrea.ThomasWashburn@hilton.com
614 414-5000 Ext – 6002 or  614-416-8402

Meeting Agenda:

*Introduction by NESO President, Tom Cleary

*DQOA/DQOC Update by DQOA Director, Josh Schmieg

*Discussion of 2027 NESO Convention Location

*Election of Directors: Four (4) directors terms are up:
               1. George Stegeman, St. Bernard OH
               2. John Godfrey, Elyria OH
               3. Brenda Thornton, Eleanor WV
               4. Bob Cleary Wellington OH

The NESO Nomination committee is recommending these 4 persons to be considered.

We are seeking additional qualified persons that are interested in serving on the Board of Directors.
If you are interested, please submit a notice of intent to run along with a short resume with your history in the Dairy Queen system and your thoughts and reasons for serving on the board to Jeff Haynes (contact info below) by March 14, 2026.
Qualified persons must be a member in good standing of NESO & DQOA, actively engaged in ownership of a Dairy Queen store. You will be required to attend 3 Board meetings per year.

*Old Business
*New Business

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Zoom Call Instructions