With the echoes of provocative discussions and the buzz of innovative ideas still reverberating, the curtains have come down on yet another extraordinary Senior Living Executive Conference which took place at the Phoenix Convention Center, April 29 – May 1, in Phoenix, Arizona.
As the conference wrapped, reenergized attendees dispersed—each armed with newfound insights, out-of-the-box ideas, and meaningful connections. The energy of collective inspiration pulsated throughout the 3 high-energy days of the conference—fanning the flames of innovation and collaboration within the senior living community.
And while the event may be over, it’s clear that its impact will continue long after attendees have returned home. Many took to heart the transformative nature of the experience—determined to leverage the momentum to propel them forward into a future ripe with exciting possibilities.
As one of THE premier conferences in the senior living industry, the Senior Living Executive Conference drew thousands of senior living professionals, industry experts, and thought leaders from around the globe to experience a full-on, nose-to-tail program that tackled a wide range of important and cutting-edge topics so important to today’s senior living sector.
From innovative technology solutions to best practices in resident care and community management, the conference covered the latest trends and developments shaping the future of senior living.
Moreover, the conference provided a welcoming platform for attendees to connect with peers, exchange ideas, and forge strategic partnerships. Networking events, roundtable discussions, and exhibits showcasing next-level products and services provided invaluable opportunities for both collaboration and professional growth.
“Attending the Senior Living Executive Conference is always a game-changer for me, and this year was no exception. It’s an event I’ll eagerly return to for inspiration and growth in the senior living space.”
—Christy Van Der Westhuizen, SVP of Sales & Marketing, Legend Senior Living
Keynotes: Inspiring and Transformative
This year’s keynote speakers were nothing short of exceptional, as they set the tone for the enlightening and inspiring events that took place across the 3 days.
Each keynote speaker brought a wealth of knowledge, experience, and passion to the stage–captivating the audience with their insights, vision, and hope for the future of senior living.
As attendees settled into their seats, there was an eagerness to glean wisdom from today’s most influential voices.
The keynotes were a rallying cry for transformation—challenging attendees to think differently, embrace change, and drive positive impact within their organizations.
The first address was a jointly delivered keynote that told the story of senior living CEO Jeff Leer as he searched for a better path forward, and a “sherpa” named James Rhee who guided him in that search for a different approach, a different way of thinking, and a game-changing plan that leveraged his organization’s existing power to reset their storyline.
Excited to set attendees on a journey of enlightenment and inspiration, James and Jeff shared the story of their meeting that eventually led to more than a turnaround, but a true reinvention of a senior living organization.
James spoke about humanity, connections, and people—more than just acknowledging the human side of the business but embracing it. He drove home the point that you can’t be in an industry where you’re serving people and treat those people like commodities…it simply doesn’t work.
Leveraging the perspectives and processes he learned from James, Jeff spoke about how he set out on a journey of transformation using human-centric methodologies that measured and unlocked value using kindness and math. This meant investing in his employees, all 10,000 of them, with a compensation and benefit program that aligned with the company’s values and that drove home the belief that happy team members make happy residents. Over the years, Jeff has made significant strides in how his organization operates day to day, as well as in the culture shift–making sure his people felt valued.
Adding to the excitement of this keynote, James Rhee’s brought 500 complimentary copies of his new book, red helicopter, for attendees. Attendees were thrilled to learn more about James’ refreshingly intuitive approach to change.
“My hope for the senior living industry is that this will help reset a storyline.”
–James Rhee
Adding to the exceptional keynote lineup was one of the world’s leading futurists, Mark Bryan, who spoke about Senior Living in 5, 10, and 20 Years.
As the senior foresight manager at the Future Today Institute, Mark advises companies of all sizes—and across various industries—on the direction in which their marketplace is headed, today, tomorrow, and in the years ahead.
In his fascinating keynote, Mark dove into emerging trends and disruptive technologies that are making waves in business and society. He zeroed in on their potential impact on the senior living industry, as he guided attendees in an exploration of how these advancements will be revolutionizing business models, customer experiences, and workforce dynamics.
A Destination of Innovation: The 2024 Expo Hall
This year’s innovative Expo Hall was the destination for attendees to discover new ideas, make valuable connections, and gain important insights focused on driving their organizations forward in today’s always-changing, often-challenging senior living landscape.
Serving as the perfect complement to the conference’s advanced education and dynamic networking, the Expo Hall absolutely pulsed with energy as it showcased the latest advancements, forward-focused solutions, and next-level services destined to help today’s professionals shape the future—and better navigate—the landscape of senior living.
Within the Expo Hall, attendees were eager to experience: the sharing of transformative thoughts; the invitation to new opportunities; the exchange of out-of-the-box ideas; the forging of beneficial partnerships; and the unveiling of tools to better senior living navigation.
“As a first-time attendee, I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of information gained from the speakers during my sessions that I could apply to and share with my teams. I was very thankful for the wealth of information I gained.”
—Shantel Arrowood, Regional VP of Operations, 12 Oaks Senior Living
Breakout Standout: AI in Action
There’s not a soul today who hasn’t realized that AI is revolutionizing the future of senior living. And senior living leaders turned out in droves to dive headfirst into the AI-driven products and concepts destined to help them gain a competitive edge.
Packed breakout sessions explored such needle-moving concepts as:
- How the next wave of AI will create new levels of profitability in communities by leveraging new data insights and including the development of automatic care tracking.
- How communities can harness predictive data to deliver proactive care to residents—exploring the transformative potential of predictive data and AI in transitioning from reactive to proactive care.
- How AI can improve operational efficiencies and drive innovative thinking by addressing many of the challenges facing the senior housing and skilled nursing sectors today.
Unsung Champions: Celebrating Senior Living Heroes
Benchmark Senior Living was proud to sponsor this year’s Argentum Hero Awards. Benchmark’s founder, chairman, and CEO Tom Grape was on hand to kick off the celebration of:
- those who make the country’s senior living communities such wonderful places to live and work;
- those who helped the community dig out from the pandemic; and
- those who continue to enrich the lives of residents and their families in incredibly meaningful ways.
Celebrated this year was a host of heroes who never shy away from obstacles, never hesitate to help a colleague in need, and will stop at nothing to ensure the safety of those in their care. These heroes continue to be vibrant forces of good—evoking trust in the community at large and serving as the unsung backbone of the senior living industry.
This year’s winners included:
- Andi Walsh, Wellspring Village Director, at Brightview Senior Living
- George Silvia, Resident Engagement Director, at Northbridge Companies
- Marianne Hohrein, Executive Director at Stellar Senior Living
- Mary Gomez, Sodalis Senior Living
- Rob Sampson, Director of Life Enrichment with LCS
Congratulations and appreciation were rightfully showered upon these remarkable individuals who serve as an inspiration and a reminder to everyone in attendance why the work they do is so important to the lives of residents.
The Best of the Best…at Their Best
This year’s “Best of the Best” awards recognized outstanding achievements and innovations in the senior living industry—celebrating organizations and individuals who demonstrated excellence in areas such as resident care, community engagement, leadership, and innovation. A highlight of the conference, this event brought together industry leaders to honor and celebrate the remarkable contributions of their peers. This year’s winners included:
- Belmont Blooms Sustainable Fashion Campaign, Belmont Village Senior Living
- Brookdale HealthPlus Program, Brookdale Senior Living
- Four-Day Work Week, Capri Communities
- NEXUS at Silverado, Silverado
- EyeWatch Live, Vitality Living
“Attending the Senior Living Executive Conference was an incredible experience. The conference speakers were very knowledgeable, made it enjoyable to learn and collaborate, as well as answer questions after the sessions. Overall, incredible experience and looking forward to Florida!”
—Katie Churchill, Managing Partner Full Spectrum Search Group
Looking Ahead with the Promise of Empowering Possibilities
As we bid farewell to this year’s Senior Living Executive Conference, attendees left carrying with them invaluable insights gained, meaningful connections forged, and seeds of innovation planted.
And yet, as we take time to reflect on the successes of the present, eyes are already set on the horizon, eagerly anticipating the next chapter in our collective senior living journey. 2025 promises to deliver an even more exhilarating and enriching experience that continues to push the boundaries of possibility, chart new paths, and shape the future of the senior living industry. Be sure to join Senior Living Executive Conference, May 19–21, 2025, in Tampa, Florida, the where the spirit of collaboration and curiosity will continue to guide the community forward to success.
