It’s time again for SMASH – the Senior Care Marketing Sales Summit HQ!

By Pam McDonald

Last week I chatted with our friend Bailey Beeken, a frequent contributor to the LinkedIn Senior Housing Forum Group and President of Senior Care Summits, which creates and produces informational and networking events across the continuum of Senior Care. She informed me that it’s time again for SMASH – the Senior Care Marketing Sales Summit HQ.

The event will take place October 13-15 at the Hilton Chicago-Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale, Indiana. The venue is about 20 minutes from either Midway or O’Hare airports in Chicago.

The Entire Summit Focuses on Marketing and Sales

Many of last year’s attendees were particularly pleased that the entire Summit focused on marketing and sales. Said Lissa Guyton, Director of Sales and Marketing for Ridgeline Management Company in West Linn, Oregon, “I loved it! I’ve been in this industry for 15 years and I have to search for sales and marketing material, tips, strategies, and new systems. This was WONDERFUL!”

According to Bailey, SMASH curates the “best of the best” in leading-edge marketing and sales strategies. It’s designed for chief company strategists who oversee sales and marketing for national and regional senior living operators, as well as for long term care, transitional and home care organizations.

Highly Praised Speakers and Content

Another of last year’s participants, Lynne Katzmann, CEO of Juniper Communities in Bloomfield, New Jersey appreciated that speakers came from outside senior living and long-term care. She said, “SMASH was great! I don’t say that lightly. I attend many industry conferences each year and this one was different. The presenters were different; not the same old, same old faces.”

Along the same line, Dan Hutson, Vice President of Communications & Marketing for be.group out of Glendale, California, and a SMASH Advisory Board Member stated, “I think SMASH is potentially a game changer in how our industry approaches sales and marketing. SMASH is the first conference I’ve felt was on par with what’s being offered outside senior living to sales and marketing professionals.”

“There wasn’t a dull moment!,” said Jason Bridie, Director of Marketing for Care Initiatives & Care Initiatives Hospice in West Des Moines, Iowa. “At most conferences there’s a time slot or two where you can safely sneak away to check email/voice mail and not miss anything. Not with this line-up!”

Kristin Hambleton, Director of Sales for Willow Valley Communities in Willow Street, Pennsylvania echoed those sentiments, “From the first keynote speaker to the last and with all the sessions in between, I felt engaged and energized. For every session I attended there was at least one or more clear take-aways for me to implement with my team. The information was fresh and current. I found the presenters knowledgeable and passionate about their topics.”

There are workshops scheduled for 2015 on such topics as digital ad strategies, immersive boot camps in mapping sales to the customer’s buying journey, and master classes for deep dives into marketing automation and content development, along with case studies of master peers.

Presenters in October will include marketing, sales and brand experts as well as authors. Over the 2-1/2 days, attendees can choose from among over 60 speakers in more than 30 sessions, and enjoy ample opportunities for powerful networking.

Networking Opportunities Abound

“. . . The casual tone helped set the mood,” 2014 attendee Jakia Dudley with DMSG, Inc. from McKinney, Texas noted. “Without the hurried atmosphere, attendees were invited to take their time to connect and engage in great conversations.”  

“I felt the networking was of tremendous value,” stated Kent Lewis, President of Anvil Marketing and a presenter. “I attended an evening reception . . . and met wonderful people. I ended up eating dinner with a small group of total stranger who felt like friends by the time we ate dessert.”

For more information or to take advantage of early bird discounts, register at the website at seniorcaremarketingsummit.com.