Synergy Schedule

Relax and take a little me time to unwind before the conference and then connect with some old friends and develop new relationships at the poolside lounge.  

We’ll kick off our conference outdoors with a welcome reception for attendees to mix, mingle,  and have fun as 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 elsewhere.    

Welcome: Harris Ader, SDA Founder 

Keynote Speaker: Will Bowen

Topic: How to Turn Complainers into Collaborators | See above for description

(1) Presentation Topic: Implementing a tipping program in senior living that works 

Speaker: Jim Epper & Elizabeth Calhoun

(2) Presentation Topic: TBA

Speaker: Maggie Roche

(3) Roundtable Discussion Topic:  How do we retain vs recruit? How to take care of and develop our teams better.   

Moderator: Thad Parton

(4) Roundtable Discussion Topic: Robots in your communities & understanding your  ROI

Moderator: Schelley Hollyday

(5) Presentation Topic: 7 Strategies leaders can use to keep and attract the very best talent 

Speaker: Mark Iverson - The Warriors Mindset

(6) Presentation Topic:  Plant forward cuisine  

Speaker: Dr. Michael Fenster - BridgMed

(7) Roundtable Discussion Topic: Building a culture of hospitality in your organization from the ground up

Moderator: Patrick Plumadore - ACTS Retirement-Life Communities

(8) Roundtable Discussion Topic: Senior living food and menu trends

Moderator: Paul Muecke - Hormel

(9) Presentation Topic: Immanuel Communities new internal dining department - everyone reports to home office (centralization of services)

Speaker: Alan Jarecki - Immanuel Communities

(10) Presentation Topic: Maximizing your POS date to reduce operational costs

Speaker: Schelley Hollyday - The Hollyday Group

(11) Roundtable Discussion Topic: 

Moderator: Eric Johnson -  Trilogy

(12) Roundtable Discussion Topic:  Workplace Wellness: Take care of yourself to take care of others 

Moderator: Mark Iverson

Peers come together to discuss challenges and uncover thoughtful solutions. Participants will leave with new ideas and develop new relationships.  

SDA | Peer Groups: Vice Presidents of Dining & Hospitality * Directors of Dining * Executive Chefs * Dietitians  * Industry Partners  * Executive Directors / C-Suite  

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 elsewhere. 

Topic: Exploring current and future senior living dining experience trends

Moderator: Cheryl Slavinsky - Senior Dining Association

Panelists: TBA

Topic: TBA

Moderator: TBA

Panelists: TBA

What you need to know and what you can implement today. Learn how successful dining operations use out-of-the-box thinking to keep their dining program moving forward and win over residents.

Participants:

• Jim Epper, Director of Dining Services with Bishop Gadsden
• Alan Jarecki, Vice President of Culinary Operations with Immanuel Communities
• Elvis Burrows, Director of Dining Services with The Mayflower

Topic: TBA

Moderator: TBA

Panelists: TBA

Keynote Speaker: Eric Rowles

Raising Your Leadership Game: Tools, Techniques and Communication 

This highly interactive training will incorporate emotional intelligence inventories, communication and collaboration methods, and innovative tactics that SDA attendees can implement as soon as they get back home.   

SDA Workforce & Culture Change Symposium to be held in Las Vegas, NV, October 11-13, 2023 at Caesar's Palace. The symposium will bring together senior living leaders from various organizations to discover how to align senior living with hospitality culture with a keen focus on workforce development, recruiting, training, and retention of top talent to remain competitive in the hospitality marketplace.