April 29 :
7:15-8:30 am -Registration & Breakfast
8:00-10:00 am- Welcome to the opening session! The Run for the Roses: Navigating the Future of Dementia Care, Dr. Macie Smith
In the race against dementia, the stakes have never been higher. Much like the Kentucky Derby, providing world-class care requires incredible endurance, a dedicated team, & a strategic eye on the track ahead. In this keynote, we pull back the curtain on the current state of dementia care at our"starting gate" & analyze the hurdles we've cleared in research & advocacy. We then turn our sights toward the homestretch, exploring the innovative technologies & person-centered shifts that are redefining where we are going. Whether you are a clinician, a caregiver, or advocate, you'll leave with a "Winner's Circle" mindset: equipped with the insights needed to pace yourself & the inspiration to cross the finish line together.
10:00-10:15 am-Break
10:15-11:15 am-Racing Toward Fire Safety Excellence: DPH Fire & Life Safety - Todd McAlhany, Fire & Life Safety Section, S.C. Department of Public Health
And they're off! Gear up to navigate the fast-track of regulatory changes and fire safety codes. Join us in the paddock as we break down the latest updates impacting our community's circuit. We'll be handicapping the field by reviewing the "Final Five"-the top five citations that are currently leading the pack during inspections. Don't let your community get scratched; we're providing the essential toolkit and insights to ensure every "stable" is prepared for the home stretch.
11:15 am-12:15 pm-Department of Public Health Regulatory Update - Down the Regulatory Track. JoMonica Taylor, Community Services Section-
Head to the starting gate with the South Carolina Department of Public Health for a fast-paced look at regulatory updates impacting the assisted-living industry. We'll round the track reviewing the most frequently cited inspection violations, highlight emerging compliance trends, and share important updates affecting providers across the state. Whether you're aiming for a strong finish in compliance or simply want to stay ahead of the field, this session will equip you with practical insights to help your organization stay on track and in the winner's circle.
12:15-1:00 pm- Lunch/ The Role of Nurse Honor Guards in Professional Legacy
This session explores the SC Nurse Honor Guard, a specialized volunteer organization dedicated to performing ceremonial tributes for deceased nursing professionals. Participants will examine the impact of ritualized recognition on the bereavement process for families and its role in fostering professional identity within the healthcare community.This service can be a great service to your residents and community. Learn how to incorporate in your community.
1:15-2:45 pm- Behavioral Health and Assisted Living: Improving Outcomes and strengthing Care.- Gregory Gwisc & Priscilla Smith, Your Health.
Managing behavioral health conditions—including dementia, depression, and anxiety—is critical for modern ALFs. By understanding the prevalence of these conditions & their impact on costs and staff workload, providers can transition from reactive to proactive care. Early identification is the key to preventing crises, while integrated behavioral health support significantly enhances both the resident experience & staff morale.
2:45-3:00 pm-Break
3:00-4:30-From the Starting Gate to the Winner's Circle: Leadership Strategies for Building Loyal, Engaged Teams. Mike Schonberg, vCare Hospice.
Ready to transform your team's culture? Join us to learn ALF leadership methods that spark immediate engagement & boost community-wide morale. We'll dive into practical techniques to help you connect with every team member-from top to bottom—yielding palpable improvements the moment you return to the oftice.
4:30-5:30 pm-Legislative Updates- Susan Bowling, McGuireWoods Consulting
This session provides a comprehensive briefing from our legislative consultants and lobbying group on the bills currently moving that directly impact your operations, staffing, and resident care. We will break down pending legislation and provide insights into the political climate & budget priorities.
April 30:
8:00-9:30 am-Breakfast
8:30 am-12:15 pm- Exhibitor Registration & Trade Expo set up- Exhibit Hall
8:00 - 9:00 am- Marketing Before the Crisis: How Senior Living Communities Win Family Trust Long Before the Phone Rings. Shellie Young, Mac Media Services
Families rarely make decisions about senior living communities during a calm and deliberate moment. Instead, they often find themselves making choices under stress, urgency, and emotional pressure, long before they even schedule tours or place phone calls. At this point, families have already formed opinions based on what they've read or seen online. This session delves into the importance of building familiarity, credibility, and trust in assisted living communities before families actively search for placement. Attendees will learn how consistent human-centered marketing can influence decision-making, while silence or inconsistency can unintentionally erode trust. Additionally, the session explores strategies for communities to remain visible and reassuring without relying on large budgets or full-time marketing staff.
9:00-11:00 am- Experience Matters. Why Building a Positive Experience Will Directly Assist in Top & Bottom Line Growth. Heather Haley, SRI Management
In the competitive landscape of senior living, resident experience is no longer a "soft" metric—it is a critical financial driver. This session explores the direct correlation between a community's culture and its fiscal health. By dissecting the relationship between service quality, occupancy, and Net Operating Income (NOI), we will move beyond basic hospitality to build a strategic framework for operational excellence.
11:00 am -12:30 pm - Championing Your Team. Turning Employees into Advocates. Erin Stinner & Josie Schultz, A to Z Communications.
Utilizing employee advocacy as a crucial tool in your marketing and public relations strategies is essential for both internal and external communication. By educating and empowering your employees to become effective ambassadors, you can build a positive company culture and complement your marketing efforts. Join us in building a strong employee base, creating internal education campaigns, and activating employees to align with your overall marketing and PR strategies.
12:30 - 3:30 pm Lunch & Trade Expo Open- Exhibit Hall (downstairs). Be sure to get cards signed by exhibitors and return to SCALA for ceu's for SC. Raffle prizes will begin around 3:00 pm
3:30-5:30 pm- Closing: Working It Out! Developing a Plan That is Sustainable and Enforceable. Laura Camper -Dillitte
Moving from a vision to a functional reality requires more than just a good idea; it requires a framework that lasts. This interactive session tackles the core pillars of organizational success: optimizing physical space, mastering recruitment, and fostering long-term staff retention. Leaders will walk away with a practical toolkit to streamline operations and enforce standards without burnout. We will also identify "effort drains"-the legacy processes that are no longer serving your mission—so you can focus on what actually moves the needle.
5:30 pm- Conference Conclusion- participants leave with ceu form that serves as certificate
