SAVE THE DATE SYNERGY 2024

Senior Dining Association
Senior Dining Association
  • Synergy
  • Attend
    • Why Attend
    • Registration
    • Travel
    • Health & Safety
    • FAQ
    • Future Dates
    • Membership
  • The Conference Experience
    • Schedule
    • Conference Speakers
    • Synergy Exhibitors
    • Call for Presenters
    • Synergy 2023 Recap
  • Exhibitor Information
    • Become a Sponsor
    • Exhibitor Resources
    • Exhibitor Toolkit
  • Contact Us
  • More
    • Synergy
    • Attend
      • Why Attend
      • Registration
      • Travel
      • Health & Safety
      • FAQ
      • Future Dates
      • Membership
    • The Conference Experience
      • Schedule
      • Conference Speakers
      • Synergy Exhibitors
      • Call for Presenters
      • Synergy 2023 Recap
    • Exhibitor Information
      • Become a Sponsor
      • Exhibitor Resources
      • Exhibitor Toolkit
    • Contact Us
  • Synergy
  • Attend
    • Why Attend
    • Registration
    • Travel
    • Health & Safety
    • FAQ
    • Future Dates
    • Membership
  • The Conference Experience
    • Schedule
    • Conference Speakers
    • Synergy Exhibitors
    • Call for Presenters
    • Synergy 2023 Recap
  • Exhibitor Information
    • Become a Sponsor
    • Exhibitor Resources
    • Exhibitor Toolkit
  • Contact Us

Synergy Schedule

2023 Schedule of Events

sunday, April 16, 2023

Synergy Day 1

Travel Day to Houston, TX

Registration & Exhibitor move-in

12:00pm - 5:00pm

Poolside: Relaxing , Swimming, Lounging, and Networking

2:00pm - 5:00pm

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.  

Outdoor Opening Celebration Reception

5:00pm - 7:00pm

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.

Will Bowen, opening keynote speaker

How to Turn Complainers into Collaborators

Executives, employees, and staff deal with hundreds of complaints on a daily

basis from both complaining customers and complaining coworkers.


In a fast-paced and funny presentation you’ll learn:

• What’s wrong with complaining? (Complaining’s destructive effects on health,

happiness, relationships, and career)

• What is (and isn’t) a complaint?

• The 5 reasons people complain (as remembered by the acronym G.R.I.P.E.)

• How to get other people (and ourselves) to stop complaining

• Positive leadership in a negative world


You’ll leave inspired, mindful of own complaints, and motivated to approach

complainers with new, simple, and effective strategies.

MONDAY

Monday, April 17, 2023

Synergy Day 2

Registration & Exhibitor move-in

8:00am - 3:00pm

Networking Breakfast

7:30am - 8:30am

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 and Keynote Leadership Development Speaker

8:30am - 10:00am

Welcome: Harris Ader, SDA Founder 

Keynote Speaker: Will Bowen

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

Networking & Coffee Break

10:00am - 10:15am

Presentation

10:15am - 11:15am

Topic: Implementing a tipping program in senior living that works

Learn about one of the first tipping programs in senior living and the implementation process and results of this program designed to increase retention and resident satisfaction.

Speakers: Jim Epper & Elizabeth Calhoun - Bishop Gadsden 

Roundtable Discussion

10:15am - 11:15am

Topic: How do we retain vs recruit? How to take care of and develop our teams better.

The cost of turnover and the benefits of a strong, motivated team make it essential to invest in employee development and growth. But how do organizations balance the needs of retaining existing employees while also attracting new talent? 

Moderator: Thad Parton - Mather

Roundtable Discussion

10:15am - 11:15am

Topic: Creating unique dining experiences in assisted living

The goal of this roundtable discussion is to generate ideas and best practices for creating unique dining experiences in assisted living that improves the overall quality for the residents.  

Moderator: Susan LoPresti - Brandywine Living

Presentation

11:30am - 12:30pm

Topic: 7 Strategies leaders can use to keep and attract the very best talent

Attendees will learn at least seven strategies that they can implement in their own organizations to help them keep their best people, as well as attract more great people when they do have vacancies, most costing little to nothing to implement. 

Speaker: Mark Iverson - The Warriors Mindset

Presentation

11:30am - 12:30pm

Topic: Staying ahead of the curve: Current nutrition & wellness trends in senior living

Nutrition is a critical aspect of senior living, and understanding current trends and best practices is essential for ensuring the health and well-being of residents. This presentation is designed to provide an overview of the latest nutrition & wellness trends in senior living and how they can be integrated into your menu.

Speaker: Maggie Roche - Roche Dietitians

Roundtable Discussion

11:30am - 12:30pm

Topic: Building a culture of hospitality in your organization from the ground up

Hospitality is a critical aspect of customer service and business success. It is about creating a welcoming and supportive environment where customers and employees feel valued and respected.  Attendees will discuss how to create an organizational culture that values and prioritizes hospitality, from the top down. 

Moderator:  Sabine Dessau - St. Andrews Estates South

Roundtable Discussion

11:30am - 12:30pm

Topic: Keeping up with the trends: An exploration of food and menu trends in senior living 

This roundtable discussion will provide a platform for senior living industry professionals to share their insights and experiences on  the latest food and menu trends, including farm-to-table, plant-based, and international cuisine. 

Moderator: Paul Muecke - Hormel

Networking Lunch & Awards Celebration

12:30pm - 2:30pm

Presentation

2:30pm - 3:30pm

Topic: Centralizing internal dining services: Building a successful internal dining department (removing the dotted line of management)  

With many organizations opting to bring all dining services under the umbrella of the home office, this presentation will explore the benefits and best practices of centralization, including how it can improve the overall dining experience for residents and increase efficiency and cost savings.  

Speaker: Alan Jarecki - Immanuel Communities

Presentation

2:30pm - 3:30pm

Topic: Connect to communicate: Dementia & dining

Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning — thinking, remembering, and reasoning — to such an extent that it interferes with a person's daily life and activities.  Participate in and bear witness to what it “feels” like to engage in a simulated dining experience. Gain insight and awareness on how to improve the dining experience for people with dementia. 

Speaker: Toni Fisk - Author - Dining with Dignity

Roundtable Discussion

2:30pm - 3:30pm

Topic: Cooking from scratch: Transitioning your dining team to scratch cooking and managing food cost more effectively

This chat is designed to help individuals  understand the benefits of scratch cooking, including improved food quality, cost savings, and sustainability. 

Moderator: Eric Johnson - Trilogy

Roundtable Discussion

2:30pm - 3:30pm

Topic: Workplace Wellness: Take care of yourself to take care of others

Attendees will learn tips on how to integrate some simple wellness practices into their work places and in doing so increase productivity and profitability and reduce turnover and safety incidents.  

Moderator: Mark Iverson - The Warriors Mindset

SDA Peer Group Discussions & Cocktails

3:30pm - 5:00pm

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


SDA | Peer Groups: VP of Dining * Directors of Dining * Executive Chefs * Dietitians * Industry Partners * Executive Directors / C-Suite  

Discussion Topics:

  • Leveraging technology to enhance your dining program 
  • Best practices & challenges for creating consistency in your dining program 
  • Current organizational challenges 
  • Cost control & savings

Networking Cocktail Reception in the EXPO

5:00pm - 6:30pm
Tuesday afternoon join us at

The EXPO

Learn about new foods, products, and technologies available to enhance your dining operations during the expo. 

TUESDAY

April 18, 2023

Synergy Day 3

Registration

8:00am - 3:00pm

Networking Breakfast

7:30am - 9:00am

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. 

General Session Panel Discussion

9:00am - 10:00am

Topic: Navigating the workforce challenges in senior living hospitality 

This panel discussion will provide a platform for senior living industry professionals to share their experiences and insights on strategies for addressing the shortage of skilled workers, including partnerships with educational institutions, workforce development programs, and the use of technology. 

Moderator: Cheryl Slavinsky - Senior Dining Association

Panel Participants:

  • Doug Doran, SVP of Dining and Hospitality with Brandywine Living
  • Eric Johnson, VP of Culinary & Dining with Trilogy 
  • Thad Parton, Corporate Director, Culinary Operations, with Mather
  • Mary Ann Thurman, Registered Dietitian, Vetter Health Services

Networking and Coffee Break

10:00am - 10:30am

General Session Interactive Collaboration Discussion

10:30am - 12:00pm

Topic: The future of dining: An exploration of current and future senior living dining experience trends 

The senior living dining experience is undergoing significant change, with residents expecting more variety, higher quality, and a greater emphasis on health and wellness. This interactive discussion will explore the latest dining experience trends and what the future holds for senior living dining. 

Moderator: Harris Ader - Senior Dining Association

Expo & Lunch & Mini Golf

12:00pm - 3:00pm

SDA Quickfire: Best Practices & Innovations

3:00pm - 4:30pm

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, VP of Culinary Operations with Bishop Gadsden
  • Alan Jarecki, VP/General Ma of Culinary Operations with Immanuel Communities
  • Elvis Burrows, Director of Dining Services with The Mayflower
  • Susan LoPresti & Sean Keating, Corporate Director of Dining & Hospitality with Brandywine Living
  • Suzanne Brittain, Director of Field Engagement with Compass Community Living 

Line Dancing & Networking Cocktail Reception

4:30pm - 6:30pm
Wednesday, Leadership Development Workshop Keynoter Speaker

Eric Rowles

Raising Your Leadership Game:  Tools, Techniques and Communication 


In this fast paced, hands on, and skills-focused leadership development training, participants will be exposed to over a dozen tangible and ready-to-use leadership resources that can be use in their daily work. 

Wednesday

April 19, 2023

Synergy Day 4

Networking Breakfast

8:00 am - 9:00am

Opening General Session Panel Discussion

9:00am - 10:00am

Supply chain in senior living food service moving forward in 2023

Attendees will gain valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of supply chain management in senior living food service, and learn practical strategies for improving supply chain efficiency and effectiveness.  

Moderator: Harris Ader, Senior Dining Association

Panelists:

  • Shannon Moyes, VP of Sales & Marketing with Volante
  • Becky Smith, Senior Sales Executive with Clark Food Service Equipment
  • John Tullbane, Senior National Account Executive with General Mills Foodservice
  • Lisa Waring, VP of National Accounts with Sysco

Networking & Coffee Break

10:00 am - 10:15am

Leadership Development Workshop

10:15am - 12:15pm

Keynote Speaker: Eric Rowles

Topic: 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.   

Depart or stay and enjoy Houston

12:15pm

Register for The SDA Workforce & Culture Change Symposium

October 11-13, 2023

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.  

Schedule is subject to change & will update monthly. Check back regularly for updates.


Copyright © 2023  Senior Dining Association  - All Rights Reserved.

 Synergy Senior Living Dining Conference 

The only dedicated association providing resources, education and networking opportunities for dining & hospitality in the senior living industry. 

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SDA Synergy Senior Dining Hospitality Conference

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SYNERGY 2024 | APRIL 7 - 10, 2024 | ORLANDO, FL

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