Take Action with 2023 NIC Spring Conference Innovation Labs

“The topics that are explored and discussed at great length have been very relevant. They allow me to think deeper, pose more questions, but also find other like-mind people who are in the same situations.”

- Katie Perry, Knute Nelson –2022 NIC Spring Conference Attendee 

NIC takes pride in creating conferences that equip attendees with expert-tested tools, concrete connections, and actionable insights they need to increase access and choice for America’s older adults. Unlike trade shows, which can become an endless maze of booths, exhibits, and competing events, NIC Conferences are expertly curated to ensure attendees benefit from a variety of opportunities for efficient networking and learning.

To further achieve this goal, NIC is introducing Innovation Labs at the 2023 NIC Spring Conference—hands-on workshops designed to facilitate collaboration and idea sharing between attendees and the innovators already steeped in the topic. These up-close-and-personal sessions will give attendees the opportunity to learn from early adopters and innovators who are already making healthcare and housing integration a reality.  

Here's a breakdown of the five Innovation Labs at the 2023 NIC Spring Conference—and why you need be in the room. 

Launching Value-Based Care

How to Begin Your Journey in Value-Based Care will piggyback off of the main stage sessions devoted to value-based care. It’s the answer to your question, “But how do I get started?” The session’s five subject matter experts will give attendees more individualized attention and make it easier to ask questions through polling. The subject matter experts will discuss primary care models that benefit residents’ health and operators’ business models, how you find the right partner, and more. 

A second Innovation Lab on value-based care will walk attendees through the creation of an implementation plan. The seven subject matter experts in Customizing a Value-Based Care Strategy for Operators will split the room into small groups, each with an experienced operator, primary care partner, special needs plan, and/or a value-based care consultant. This gives attendees direct, hands-on support from the subject matter experts as they co-create a plan for implementation and tackle lingering questions. 

Getting Active in Active Adult 

There has been a lot of talk about Active Adult—the newest red-hot housing segment for older adults—but how do you get started? This session, Active Adult Tools for Success: Market, Product, and Lifestyle, subject matter experts will highlight the top three things operators need to know to become active in the space. First, operators must consider the state of the economy and how supply metrics and construction starts should impact Active Adult considerations. Second, what defines an Active Adult property, what market characteristics to look for, and what makes the product feasible overall. Finally, subject matter experts will outline the lifestyle and healthcare offerings that customers will expect. 

Confronting Operational Challenges & Opportunities 

Economic changes continue to impact the industry. Keepin’ It Real – Let's Talk Margin will be a frank discussion on the macro impacts of the economy on senior housing and related industries. From the senior housing perspective, speakers will discuss near- and long-term trends related to inflation and unemployment and their effects on supply chains and operating costs. These challenges will be compared and contrasted to the experience of the hospitality industry, and the strategies those leaders have used to overcome occupancy and workforce challenges. 

In keeping with the theme of the conference, What Capital Sources Need to Know About Operators will offer capital providers insights on how to form successful partnerships with operators: the questions they should ask, the qualities to identify, and the top five metrics they should look for in a potential partner. The subject matter experts, divided into Family Feud-style teams, will reveal the top five metrics capital sources should assess in a potential partner. Is it operator to capital relationship, HR community levels, sales and marketing data, or something else? You’ll have to be in the room to find out. 

Over the course of the three-day conference, there will be abundant opportunities for all attendees to leave with concrete, actionable strategies to improve access and choice for America’s older adults. Join us.