A week from today, thousands of leaders in senior housing and care will convene, in person, for three days of networking, deal-making, and strategic insight. For many, the 2021 NIC Fall Conference is the most important event of the year, particularly during a time of disruption which is presenting significant challenges – and major opportunities. Most are likely looking forward to meeting friends, old and new, in person, and to being able to return to a sense of normalcy.
Veterans of previous NIC conferences will notice some changes from past events, but will nonetheless enjoy all of the business benefits, and perks, that they have come to expect from this highly anticipated event. NIC, working closely with event health and safety leader, SafeExpo, as well as in close coordination with the management and staff of the Marriott Marquis Houston, has designed the event both to be as safe as possible, and as rewarding as ever.
No Onsite Registration
Due to safety requirements, NIC is closing registration this Thursday, October 28th, and will not offer onsite registration. It’s not too late to sign up and upload proof of vaccination – but procrastinators (you know who you are) must register now. See here for details.
Safety
Safety has dictated many decisions, including the requirement that every attendee and all NIC staff provide proof of vaccination. Numerous innovations, such as the all-day self-service NIC Café, advance mailing of credentials and PPE kits, spreading out the educational program, indoor and outdoor remote live-streaming areas, and onsite health resources, will help improve safety. NIC is even providing social distancing comfort-level buttons, so attendees can convey whether they prefer elbow bumps, hugs, or no physical contact. Masks will be strongly encouraged when attendees are not drinking or dining.
Networking
Whether meeting in hallways, educational sessions, scheduled events and meetings, or in the elevator, attendees will be ready to explore new relationships and opportunities, and to share their experiences and insights with one another. NIC has spread meeting points throughout the entire Marriott Marquis Houston, scheduled organized networking events, and provided two spacious designated networking lounges, to enable the kind of face-to-face interactions that all of us have missed so much. The NIC App provides tools for messaging, scheduling meetings, finding resources, and much more.
First-Time Attendees
First-time attendees have access to activities and resources specifically geared to help them successfully navigate the conference, including an orientation webinar, a First-time Attendee Gathering, and morning meet-ups. The special gathering, scheduled from 1-2PM Monday in the Level 6 Outdoor Event Pavilion, is both a chance to meet NIC leadership for tips and tools – and a great networking event. The morning meet-ups offer another chance to meet fellow first-timers, Tuesday and Wednesday, 8-8:30AM, in the Level 4 Texas Ballroom Foyer.
Insights
Over 50 thought leaders and experts will share their insights and their (sometimes-differing) perspectives in a ten-session educational program designed for timeliness, relevance, and impact. These include Nobel prize-winning economist Paul Krugman and former Secretary of the U.S. Treasury Lawrence H. Summers, who will be discussing macroeconomic and capital market trends. Every session is designed to help attendees understand the latest trends, digest the latest data, and hear from the nation’s most highly regarded experts and leaders on the issues facing senior housing and care today—and the solutions of the near future.
Because sessions are non-concurrent this year, attendees will have the opportunity to attend every session, without having to choose between two or three. They may also opt to view sessions from comfortable and spacious remote live-streaming areas.
Focus Areas
Whether attendees are focused on financing or operations, the conference program offers relevant and expert insights into current market trends and innovations, as well as the disruptions facing the sector. Sessions are organized into two tracks; Managing Margins (MM), providing insights into operational strategies, property operations and management, and Realizing Returns (RR), for insights into capital markets, property investments and capital flow.
Pampering
NIC attendees love to take advantage of the many attendee resources NIC provides for their comfort, safety, and a bit of pampering. Attendees this year can swing by the LinkedIn corner to get professional help updating their online profiles, for example. They may also enjoy a casual chat over gourmet coffee, get a new headshot, or take their networking out on the town with evening car service - and find dessert waiting upon their return. If they need to take a call or get some work done, NIC has provided individual private workspaces. And if attendees have a question, need a mask, or even forgot their toothbrush, there’s a concierge desk on every level.
Know-Before-You-Go
NIC is providing attendees with resources to get the most out of the event, even before they board a flight to Houston. The NIC app is an essential tool, both for preparation and for optimizing conference resources on site. Registrants can access the attendee list ahead of time, download the program, plan their schedules, message each other, post on the social wall, and much more. The app is easy to find and download; just search for “NIC Conference” on the iTunes App Store or Google Play.
NIC provides first-time registrants with the ‘First-time Attendee Webinar,’ offering tips and insights on preparing for the conference. This year, NIC is sending registrants a special package containing their conference credential, along with a PPE kit, and even a NIC lapel pin, designed to help attendees identify and connect with each other as they travel to and from Houston. Later registrants can pick up their credential onsite.
Don’t Miss the Most Important In-Person Event of the Year
Since its founding 30 years ago, NIC has been convening industry leaders to share thought-leadership, connect with capital, improve transparency, and bring transformative innovation into the marketplace. Over time, these efforts have proven an effective means to advance NIC’s mission of enabling access and choice for America’s elders, while simultaneously helping industry leaders find pathways to success. For both of these reasons, NIC is pleased to be able to convene so many, even during this time of disruption, and to be able to present so much opportunity, as we all look forward to a bright future.