Synergy Schedule

Put on your flip flops and join us for fun in the sun as we ease into the 2022 Synergy Hospitality & Dining Conference. Grab a cocktail, join a discussion, and start the conference networking poolside with industry peers.

1- Reducing employee turnover with better onboarding   Moderator:  Milton McGowian

2- Controlling food costs during rising costs Moderator: Jonathan Pinsker

3- Creating structure & accountability in your dining program  Moderator: Thad Parton

4- Dining events for every budget and staff Moderator: Sabine Dessau

1- Managing the dotted line when your staff doesn't report to you Moderator: Patrick Plumadore

2- Best practices for implementing technology in your community  Moderator: Katie Griffith

3- What we learned from the past 2 years and how it will affect our dining programs moving forward.  Moderator: Jonathan Pinsker

4- Getting residents back in the dining room Moderator: Eric Johnson

Poolside Panel: Senior Living Dining Deep Dive 

This panel discussion will highlight the latest trends in senior living dining. Hear from industry leaders as we uncover what is happening in their organizations. Please join the conversation in this interactive session.

Moderator: Harris Ader

Panelists: Eric Johnson, Thad Parton, Stacey Bedingfield & Milton McGowian

We’ll kick off our conference with a welcome reception for attendees to mix, mingle and build relationships was we indulge in tasty hors d'oeuvres and cocktails.

The Networking breakfast will bring attendees and industry partners together at the table. Break out of your shell and talk with peers in your region, city or coast.    

SDA Dining Committee & Industry Partner Action Council Members 

Keynote Presentation: Humor in the Workplace

In today’s overworked, under-appreciated, stress-filled, sleep-deprived world, humor isn't a nice-to-have, it's a must-have. Whether you want to lead better, execute faster, improve your teams' morale, or just enjoy your work more, humor will help you get there.

Keynote Speaker: Andrew Tarvin

Interactive, Discussion  and Discovery into Senior Living Dining & Hospitality

This fast-paced, interactive session will help attendees make new connections, expand their networks, and find areas of common interests within organizations and industry peers. 

Moderators: Harris Ader and  Andrew Tarvin

Senior living hospitality moving past the pandemic. These discussions will focus on improving the resident & employee experience and how to be successful at both.  

SDA | Peer Work Groups 

• Vice President of Dining & Hospitality
• Director of Dining (CCRC) 
• Executive Chef
• Chef | Director (smaller communities) 
• Dietitians 
• Industry Partners  
• Executive Directors / c-suite 
• Consultants
• Associations

Best Practices & Innovations: Quickfire: What you need to know & what you can implement today. Learn how successful dining operations use out-of-the-box thinking to keep their dining program in check and win over residents. 

• Thad Parton: Going Green at Mather
• Eric Johnson: Trilogy's  Culinary Program
• Matt Schuler: Senior Dining Design Trends
• Jonathan Pinsker & Sabine Dessau: Different menu in a different venue with limited staffing

Workforce Panel: A Flexible Workforce

Forced changes in the workplace illustrate the value of flexibility and create an opportunity for a permanent shift. How can we implement practical solutions right now to support flexibility for jobs that don’t have the comfort to work remotely?

Moderator: Aaron Fish

Panelist: Milton McGowian, Patrick Plumadore & Jen Zdunczyk

The Networking breakfast will bring attendees and industry partners together at the table. Break out of your shell and talk with peers in your region, city or coast.   

Culture Change:  Macro to Micro - How do we change to a hospitality mindset in senior living beyond a job title?  

Does having a title with hospitality, culinary, or dining mean you have a hospitality mindset in your organization? Do you have “PPD or PDR" in your budget? YES - Do you still hire "dietary aides"? YES - Do you take inventory at your community? NO - If your answers are similar, then you don’t want to miss this presentation.  

Presenter: Harris Ader

Topic: Understanding & Managing Food Costs 

This session will focus on the different areas of food cost that can and do have a direct impact on your community’s bottom line. It will also provide methods to manage, control and monitor these expenses using monthly inventory.  

Presenter: Aaron Fish 

Topic: Get the Secret Sauce to Dementia & Dining 

We will discuss service standards and environmental aspects of the physical dining space. Best practice recommendations for the standard dining model and actions/considerations to improve the dining experience for persons living with dementia.  Presenter: Toni Fisk

Topic: Managing the dotted line of dining

Diplomacy goes a long way when the people you’re working with don’t directly report to you. Discuss best practices for maintaining quality by developing a collaborative environment.. 

Moderator: Patrick Plumadore, Vice President of Nutrition & Wellness  with  Acts Retirement-Life Communities

Topic: Industry Partner Deep Dive: How do you justify your ROI?

This session is for SDA Industry Partners.

Moderator: Becky Smith & John Tullbane

Topic: Rolling out Technology and Systems  at Mather 

Learn the “how” and “why” behind Mather’s decision to hire a Manager of Culinary Systems and Operations for their communities and the return on their investment. Discover how this internal support  position was developed and how it has been a game changer for their culinary program at Mather.  Presenters: Thad Parton & Charlie Selig with Mather

Topic: Motivating & Encouraging Employees  Encouraging employees to reach their highest potential is essential for effective leadership and fostering a productive work environment. Join us to learn helpful techniques and when to use them. . .  Presenter: Milton McGowian, VP of Resident Services with Sharon Towers

Topic: Senior living food and menu trends  

Successful dining operations balance familiarity and freshness in a way that makes the dining experience both comfortable and exciting.  Discuss how you can do the same with a focus on variety, consistency and cook to order.  

Moderator: Jonathan Pinsker, Regional Director of Culinary & Nutrition with  Acts Retirement-Life Communities

Topic: Generating Revenue in Senior Living with your Dining  Program 

Dining operations offer many income opportunities beyond resident meal plans. Your residents, their families, and others inside the community all have needs that you can readily turn into a regular income stream. In addition, there are revenue opportunities from outside the community. 

Moderator: Aaron Fish, Founder & CEO   Trestle Hospitality Concepts

The awards and Interactive networking lunch will bring attendees and industry partners together at the table. Participants will be assigned to tables by position. Break out of your shell and talk with peers from across the country. 

Topic: The Employee Experience - Reducing Turnover for Success

Our success must begin with the employee experience.  Any initiative, growth plan or surviving an unanticipated crisis (Covid-19!) can only be successful with a relentless focus-first approach on the employee experience.  Presenter: Eric Johnson, VP of Dining with Trilogy Senior Living

Topic: Technology is Not A Strategy: How to Maximize Results When Implementing Technology 

Technology can do many things, but organizations must drive the strategy for executing on their vision.  Learn how to Implement a plan that enables communities to know exactly how to adopt the technology and optimize processes that will produce tangible results.

Presenter: Katie Griffith, Principal with Bright Solutions

Topic: Creating unique dining experiences in assisted living

Have big ideas for an event, but with a little budget? Or have an unlimited budget, but need inspiration? Pick up tips and viewpoints on executing a successful event within your budget at this roundtable discussion.

Moderators: Susan LoPresti, Corporate Director of Hospitality and Sean Keating, Corporate Director of Culinary Innovation with  Brandywine Living

Topic: Maximizing your dining committee 

Your resident dining committee should be a valuable resource for your dining operation. Learn how to keep your dining committee productive and helpful. 

Moderator: Stacey Bedingfield, Regional Director of Operations with  Culinary Services Group

Topic: Pop-Ups: Different menu in a different venue with limited staffing

Create a one night dining experience that people can relate to without the feeling of a "going out to eat dining experience" Burgers, Pizza, pasta, crepes are just a few of the ideas that will be exciting for your residents as well as your staff. Take them out of the main dining room and wow them with fun and excitement.  

Presenters: Jonathan Pinsker and Sabine Dessau with ACTS- Retirement Life Communities

Topic: STAND BY YOUR BRAND - Why do your food service experiences need an identity? 

How does a soft branding of  assisted living & long term care dining bring accessibility and normalcy to a difficult transition? Alleviate a sense of loss by introducing a new adventure. While 100% accessible and outfitted for any special needs, it is also thoughtful and welcoming. Presenter: Matt Schuler, Director of Culinary with  SCOPOS Hospitality Group 

Topic: Recruiting, interviewing, and onboarding top dining talent for long-term retention and success.

Discuss how using out-of-the-box thinking to attract and keep exceptional employees. 

Moderator: Harris Ader, Founder of SDA

Topic: Preparing for Baby Boomers in Senior Living

Statistic show that masses of Baby Boomers will soon be moving into senior living communities. Now is the time to prepare for this generation of future residents known for being savvy, well-traveled, and expecting unique food service outlets and options beyond the traditional dining room experience.  

Moderator: Jen Zdunczyk

General Session: The SEAT of Success: How Top Performers Never Settle for Balcony Seats

It’s frustrating to lead a team when you’ve lost your leadership mojo! Everyone needs some motivation and inspiration to breakthrough to the next level. Discover the secrets that high performers use to be in the front-row. You’ll be able to accomplish more results, achieve bigger goals, and overcome fears and insecurities that don’t serve you or your team. 

Keynote Speaker: Marilyn Sherman 

The SDA hotel group rate is good for 3 days prior and post conference.  Learn more