2021 Independent Owner Leadership Conference

The 2021 Independent Owner Leadership Conference has been canceled because of risks related to COVID-19.


The primary goal of AHCA/NCAL’s annual Independent Owners Leadership (IO) Conference is to provide a forum for you to engage in solutions-focused discussions with your colleagues. Designed for assisted living (AL) and skilled nursing facility (SNF) owners/operators/administrators of roughly 10 or fewer facilities, this conference offers a unique opportunity to network with other IO leaders and discuss  industry-wide issues, such as innovative building design, workforce issues, leadership challenges and solutions, value-based care, and growth potential in IO facilities.  We hope you will join us!

‭(Hidden)‬ Registration

Advance Registration Rates

Deadline: February 24, 2020
  • AHCA/NCAL Member $400
  • First-Time Attendee (Member) $350
  • Each Additional Member, from same facility $350
  • State Executive Member $325
  • Attendee Non-Member  $550
  • State Executive Discount $325
  • Additional Guest for Dinner $100

All registrations include:

  • The opportunity to earn up to 13.75 CEs
  • Breakfasts, luncheon, and networking dinner

 
 

General Information

Substitutions
Substitutions will be allowed up to five (5) calendar days prior to the conference.  Conference registration changes and/or substitutions must be made in writing via fax to (415) 293-4743. (Attn: AHCA/NCAL Registration), or contact the Independent Owner Leadership Conference registration.

 
Who Can Attend
The IO Leadership Conference is for assisted living (AL) and skilled nursing facility (SNF) owners/operators/administrators of roughly 10 or fewer facilities. Registration and attendance for companies and individuals who sell or market products and/or services to provider organizations are limited to sponsorship opportunities. AHCA/NCAL reserves the right to grant final approval for all registrants to attend this conference.​

Cancellations/Refunds
Cancellations received on or before Monday, February 24, 2020, will be refunded minus a $75.00 administrative fee. Any change or cancellation must be made in writing.
 
Refunds will not be issued after Tuesday, February 24, 2020. Refunds will be processed within 15 days following the end of the conference. Refunds or credits will not be made on no-shows. 
 
Conference Attire
Business casual attire is suitable for all meetings, sessions, and receptions. Please remember to bring a sweater or jacket for air-conditioned rooms.

‭(Hidden)‬ Hotel & Travel Information

​Gaylord Texan.jpg

 

Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center

1501 Gaylord Trail
Grapevine, Texas 76051

 

 

Note: Registration is required in order to make your hotel reservation​.
Convention Management Resources Inc. (CMR) is AHCA/NCAL's Annual Independent Owner Leadership Conference's official housing company.

Room Rates & Taxes

AHCA/NCAL has arranged for special group rates of $269.00 per night single or double occupancy plus appropriate tax and service charges. This rate will be extended two days prior to and after the conference dates, based on availability.  Reservations must be made by Friday, February 7, 2020. 

Reservation requests made after this hotel deadline will be based on availability at the prevailing rate determined by the hotel. The hotel requires a first-night deposit of room and tax to guarantee accommodations. For more information about housing, please visit our official housing website.

Recommended Transportation and Cost

The Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is approximately 6 miles from the Gaylord Texan. Airport shuttle service is available for $17 one-way. 

‭(Hidden)‬ Networking Activities

PLEASE NOTE: All activities are open to all conference guests and occur simultaneously on Thursday, March 12. Choose one of these exciting options!

Guided Hiking Tour

Location: Lake Grapevine
Cost:  $40 per person
Time: 2:00pm to 4:00pm (pickup at the Gaylord Texan Tour Bus Lobby entrance)

 
Join us as we explore the wooded trails along Lake Grapevine! This 1 hour and 30-minute guided hiking tour of The North Shore Trail will begin at Rockledge Park. A guide will discuss the area, local history, wildlife, and geology. Your registration includes transportation to and from the park, water and coffee before the hike begins, hiking poles, binoculars, and a knowledgeable tour guide​.

Grapevine Wine Tour

Cost:  $95 per person
Time: 2:00pm - 4:00 pm (pickup at the Gaylord Texan Tour Bus Lobby entrance)

Texas is the 5th largest wine-producing state in the USA and home to 436+ award-winning wineries. You will visit two lovely Grapevine, Texas wineries to include generous tastings at each location. During the drive to the wineries and between stops a professional tour guide will describe the history of Grapevine, Texas, the specifics of the local wineries and the booming Texas winemaking business. Your registration includes two wine tastings, light snacks at one winery, door to door transportation and a knowledgeable tour guide to lead the way​.

Golf Outing

Location: TPC Four Seasons - Las Colinas Cottonwood Valley Golf Club
Cost:  $289 per person | Club Rental - $98 per person | Shoe Rental - $17 per person
Time: 12:00pm to 6:30pm (pickup at the Gaylord Texan Tour Bus Lobby entrance)
 
Updated in 2006, the 18-hole, par 71 Cottonwood Valley Golf course at TPC Four Seasons Las Colinas, measures 7,120 yards. The number one signature hole's green was designed by the course's original golf architect, Robert Trent Jones Jr., in the shape of Texas with a bunker in the shape of Oklahoma and a lake resembling the Gulf of Mexico. The golf package includes green fees, cart fees, and spa locker room access.  Golf clubs and shoes are available for an additional cost. Includes lunch and round-trip transportation.

​Speakers

‭(Hidden)‬ Opening General Session Speaker: Oz Pearlman
Oz-BlueSuit.jpgOz Pearlman, Mentalist

Oz Pearlman is one of the most sought after mentalists in the world, and he has been dazzling audiences with his mind reading ability for over two decades. He was a fan favorite on America’s Got Talent where he won third place out of thousands of acts. His client list reads like a who's who of politicians, professional athletes, A-list celebrities, and Fortune 500 companies.

He has appeared on both national and international television networks on numerous shows including his own special Oz Knows for which he won an Emmy. His unique blend of mind reading and mentalism create an interactive experience that is redefining the very nature of a magic show, one that truly needs to be seen to be believed!

‭(Hidden)‬ Closing General Session Speaker: Mitch Hagins
MitchHagins_Headshot.jpgMitch Hagins, The Studer Group

Mitch Hagins, BSc, Senior Director with Huron Studer Group, is an award-winning healthcare leader and coach. His expertise comes from more than 32 years of managing all support services, sales and marketing, strategic planning, human resources, and upper management. Hagins uses these experiences to create successful partner engagements. His partners consistently demonstrate improvement in their unique strategic goals, such as the resident experience, professional engagement, net margin or EBITDA, and workforce measures like turnover, absenteeism, or workplace injuries. His partners also show improvement across quality measures like hand hygiene compliance, rehospitalization, and falls with injury. For results like these, Hagins has been recognized as coach of the year, receiving the Fire Starter Award, Studer Group’s highest coaching award. He has also received the Studer Group Pillar Award for excellence in coaching on eight different occasions. 

Sessions

* AHCA/NCAL is currently finalizing some of the speakers for this event, and speakers are subject to change. ​

*All education sessions are held at the Gaylord Texan

‭(Hidden)‬ Wednesday, March 11
  • 10:00am - 5:00pm
    Registration Opens
  • 10:30am - Noon
    Pre-Conference Session: LED Talks curated by Provider Magazine
  • 1:15pm - 2:30pm
    Owner-to-Owner Town Hall with AHCA/NCAL Leadership

    Facilitator: Mark Parkinson, President and CEO, AHCA/NCAL

    Panelists:  Mike Cheek, Senior Vice President, Reimbursement Policy, AHCA/NCAL; David Gifford, Senior Vice President, Quality and Regulatory Affairs and Chief Medical Officer, AHCA/NCAL and Scott Tittle, Executive Direction, NCAL

    Owners from around the country discuss challenges and best practices pertinent to the current operating environment.  The discussion will focus on emerging trends in long term care. Ideas for solutions will be shared.

  • 2:30pm - 3:00pm
    Marketplace Meet Up
  • 3:00pm - 5:00pm
    Welcome and Opening General Session
    Speaker: Oz Perlman, Mentalist

    Oz Pearlman is one of the most sought after mentalists in the world, and he has been dazzling audiences with his mind reading ability for over two decades. He was a fan favorite on America’s Got Talent where he won third place out of thousands of acts. His client list reads like a who's who of politicians, professional athletes, A-list celebrities, and Fortune 500 companies. He has appeared on both national and international television networks on numerous shows including his own special Oz Knows for which he won an Emmy. His unique blend of mind reading and mentalism create an interactive experience that is redefining the very nature of a magic show, one that truly needs to be seen to be believed!
  • 5:30pm - 7:30pm
    Networking Dinner

‭(Hidden)‬ Thursday, March 12
  • 7:00am - 11:30am
    Registration
  • 7:30am - 8:00am
    Breakfast
  • 8:00am - 9:30am
    General Session: What’s Happening in Washington?
    Speakers: Matt Hoffman, Vice President, Co-Lead, Access & Reimbursement Working Group, BGR Group; Moses Mercado, Principal, Ogilvy Government Relations; Mark Parkinson, President & CEO, AHCA/NCAL; Clif Porter, Senior Vice President of Government Relations, AHCA/NCAL
    ​
    This session offers an update on recent legislative activity that impacts the sector as well as a look ahead at what’s happening in Congress.

  • 9:30am - 10:00am
    Markplace Meet Up
  • 10:00am - 11:30am
    Concurrent Sessions

    Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM)​

    Speaker: Mike Cheek, Senior Vice President, Reimbursement Policy, AHCA

    Hear solutions for overcoming the top areas where providers struggle to implement PDPM.

    New Assisted Living Opportunities for Quality and Payment in a Value Based World​

    ​Speaker:  Katie Colgan, Executive Director, Integrated Networks, AHCA/NCAL

    As private pay residents decline and Medicaid reimbursements stagnate, providers of assisted living are in a unique position to offer high quality care at a cost savings to consumers and health plans.  Learn why and how providers and health plans can partner to create new funding opportunities for assisted living and which partnership models can best differentiate your business and position independent owners for success.

  • 11:30am - Noon
    Marketplace Meet Up

  • Noon - 1:30pm
    Lunch and Learn
  • Attendees Choice - Select from Afternoon Sessions or Activities

    Networking Activities (additional fees apply) 

    • ​Guided Hiking Tour
    • Grapevine Wine Tour
    • Golf Outing
  • 2:30pm - 3:00pm
    Concurrent Sessions

    Innovations in Building Design​ 

    Speaker: Scott Averill, Chief Executive Officer, Joya Living & Healthcare, Inc.; Brad Bilbo, Chief Operating Officer, Reliable Health Care Management; Debbie Meade, Owner/Operator, Health Management; Corey Wright, Administrator, Vienna Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

    Independent Owners share how they have implemented innovative design elements into their buildings.

    Workforce Toolkits

    AHCA/NCAL has a resource on ahcancalED to address workforce issues for the Chief Executive Officer and independent owner audience. The resource was developed in partnership with Littler a law firm specializing in employment law issues. A representative from the Littler team will provide an overview of the toolkit resources including:

    • Setting up your own temp agency
    • Hiring international staff to include US territories 
    • Loan forgiveness programs (existing governmental and self-created)
    • Developing new tools, curating and re-packaging existing tools to address retention and turnover
  • 2:00pm - 4:00pm
    Networking Events

‭(Hidden)‬ Friday, March 13
  • 7:00am – 11:00am
    Registration
  • 7:30am - 8:00am
    Breakfast
  • 8:00am - 9:30am
    Concurrent Sessions

    Should Independent Owners Grow and If So How?

    Speakers: Patricia Horn, Owner, Cedar Hill Continuing Care Center; Jessica Pelligrino Tsoukalas, Director of Business Development and Strategy, Bridgeway CC; Stacy Suchla, Administrator, Grand View Care Center and Grand Avenue Assisted Living and Mark Traylor, President, Traylor-Porter Healthcare

    Independent owners who have grown their business share success stories and lessons learned. Learn if this is the right path for your business.

    Translating Current Dining Trends to Senior Living for Success

    Speaker: Rayona Baker, Business Solutions Specialist,Gordon Food Services​; Kevin Kimbrough, ​Culinary Specialist ChefGordon Food Services and Brenda Richardson, Brenda Richardson LLC

    Hear an overview of current food and senior dining trends. Key aspects of the importance of food, nutrition, the dining experience and regulatory requirements will be included. Experience an exciting culinary demonstration of how to incorporate these lessons into successful facility operations.
  • 9:30am - 9:45am
    Marketplace Meet
  • 9:45am - 11:00am
    Closing General Session
    Speaker​: Mitch Hagins, The Studer Group​

    Levering lessons from high performing organizations, hear about tools to drive alignment, accountability and action such that IOs will enjoy market advantages when compared to larger firms by standing out in people, service, quality, growth and finance. Learn how to take advantage of unique IO characteristics and how to leverage those to stand out amongst the competition.
​

Location & Date
 
Location: TBD
Date(s): 2021 TBD

Sponsorships
Sponsorship opportunities available!

‭(Hidden)‬ CEU Credits & Certificates
Earn up to 13.75 CEs. ​Network in formal and informal settings. Gain fresh ideas and perspectives that will help you achieve your goals back home.
 
AHCA/NCAL has requested NAB approved CE hours for skilled nursing and assisted living administrators. Individuals seeking approval for all other professional licensures must file independently and should contact Teresa Eyet, teyet@ahca.org, AHCA Vice President of Education Programming and Content Development for the materials needed.​

‭(Hidden)‬ Meet the sponsors
Get to know our wonderful sponsors! Browse their profiles and feel free to reach out to them regarding your business needs.

‭(Hidden)‬ Untitled ‭[4]‬
  • 2020 Sponsors
  • Sponsorship Opportunities Available!