Industry Gathers at NIC Fall Conference: Managing Margins, Realizing Returns and Expert Insights

With record attendance, the 2019 NIC Fall Conference in Chicago last week brought together more than 3,300 participants for three days of networking, educational sessions, receptions, and high-profile speakers such as former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen.   

Programming focused on current market trends and innovations as well as how to best address the disruptions facing the industry. Experts provided insights into effective operational strategies as well as changing capital flows and deal structures. 

Session participation got a boost from new formats including town halls, peer-to-peer exchanges and a seven-minute lighting round of tech innovations. 

New NIC-sponsored research on the growing demand for middle-market seniors housing—“The Forgotten Middle”—was spotlighted along with possible solutions. And NIC Talks returned as eight speakers took the stage to challenge our views on aging.  

“The Fall Conference is instrumental in helping deliver on our mission by providing a platform to connect, educate, and discuss,” said Brian Jurutka, NIC president & CEO.  “It is a gathering that allows key industry stakeholders to share ideas, learn about best practices, and exchange views on where the space is headed.”  

Timely themes included how to recruit and retain good workers, the impact of the ongoing shift to value-based healthcare, and the role of technology. In a continuing effort to improve transparency for investors, NIC announced a new partnership with PointClickCare to further enhance NIC’s rental rate data initiative. 

Other program highlights included: 

• Opening General Session. In a Q&A discussion, former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen provided insights on the economy and interest rates.  
• Active adult. Two sessions addressed the emerging category of rental active adult properties. The segment shows promise to attract baby boomers. 
• Consumers. What do they want? Keynote luncheon speaker Joe Coughlin of the MITAgeLab drilled down into the psyche of the baby boomers. In short, they expect a lot. Another session on consumer insights presented lessons from other industries. 
• Capital. Three sessions brought tougher experts to discuss capital concerns. Topics included sources of debt and equity, valuations, and innovative financial instruments. 
• Workforce development. Labor shortages and rising wages are making employee recruitment and retention a top priority. Operators shared their real-life success stories.  

• Skilled Nursing. As payment reform and changing referral networks take shape, two sessions reviewed current market metrics and addressed the challenges ahead for operators, equity investors and debt providers. 
• Innovations. Presenters highlighted solutions to current challenges, including staff turnover and resident engagement.  
• Demand trends and home health. Panelists explored seniors housing development cycles while another session addressed whether to own or partner with home health providers. 

Attendees will be provided access to video and audio recordings for most of the sessions via nic.org. Publicly accessible highlights and sessions, including NIC Talks, are being posted to NIC’s YouTube page. 

Join us for the NIC 2020 Spring Conference, March 4-6, San Diego.  

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September 16, 2019 

janekadler@gmail.com