ALEXANDRIA, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--More than 2,000 senior living professionals gathered in Phoenix, Arizona for the first full day of the ALFA 2014 Conference & Expo. This annual conference helps raise the bar for excellence in senior living by providing a forum for education and networking for executives who work in companies offering independent living, assisted living, and memory care for seniors.
The day kicked off with an inspiring presentation by artist and TED Fellow Candy Chang, creator of the “Before I Die” wall. She encouraged the audience to reflect on what really matters. “Two of the most valuable things we have are time and our relationships with other people,” Chang said.
ALFA keynote speaker General Stan McChrystal, a former Army Ranger known for his candor and innovative leadership, spoke about cultivating superior teamwork in people of different skills sets, ages and backgrounds. The opening speakers illuminated the power of innovation, creativity and perseverance.
The day also included a variety of core conference educational sessions including presentations by Loews Hotels Chief Marketing Officer Bruce Himelstein; Penumbra Group President & CEO Jennifer Shirkani; and Blue Orange Compliance CEO John DiMaggio.
ALFA also launched the ALFA/Spader 20 Groups with presentations from Spader Business Management Senior Facilitator Jim McCann. This new ALFA member program creates CEO peer groups for small to mid-sized senior living providers to improve performance and profitability.
A highlight of this year’s conference is the 3rd annual Executive Director Leadership Intensive (EDLI), a special program developed in partnership between ALFA and the USC Davis School of Gerontology. This program, with over 100 in attendance, is exclusively designed for experienced community executive directors.
“This year’s conference is our biggest and best yet thanks to the commitment of senior living executives to raise the bar of excellence in the senior living industry,” said ALFA President add CEO Richard P. Grimes. “Executives will leave this conference with new, innovative ideas to better serve the seniors in their care.”
The ALFA 2014 Conference & Expo began Monday with meetings of the ALFA Executive Roundtables, the ALFA State Affiliate and Chapter Executive Directors, and the ALFA Board of Directors as well as a reception for the members of the ALFA President’s Council. To learn more about the event and see a full list of programming, visit alfa.org/conference.
About ALFA - Creating the Future of Senior Living
ALFA is the largest national association exclusively dedicated to professionally managed, resident-centered senior living communities and the seniors and families they serve. Since 1990, ALFA has advocated for choice, accessibility, independence, dignity, and quality of life for all seniors. ALFA’s programs promote business and operational excellence through education, research, publications, professional networking and online tools designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurism in the field of senior living. Visit ALFA’s website at www.alfa.org.
