Whether you joined us in Nashville or not, we hope the following Conference keynotes and materials will be valuable as you calibrate your goals and inspire your teams throughout the coming year. Below you'll find a summary of the big moments, key learnings and the most important information available.

Here is what some attendees at the 2016 Conference had to say about their experience: 

“The keynote by Roger Nierenberg set the tone for the rest of the conference. It was spectacular.”

“Content of the courses was really good. I liked that there were multiple levels of study, so that both beginners and more experience attendees had great options.”

“This was my first time attending an annual conference and I can honestly say I enjoyed every moment of it. I enjoyed having the opportunity to meet and network with other Meals on Wheels agencies from across the country and gaining insight about their operations.”

“The speakers were excellent; I felt that all that I heard were very competent and provided exceptional learning/growth opportunities.”

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THE MUSIC PARADIGM BY MAESTRO ROGER NIERENBERG

Attendees were surprised, intrigued and inspired by Maestro Roger Nierenberg, creator of The Music Paradigm, during the 2016 Conference's opening keynote event. Maestro Nierenberg showed us how a powerful mission, a clear, shared vision and finding the right balance between providing direction and empowerment can galvanize individuals to perform at their individual best. Through an unscripted live orchestra performance, he reminded us that there is leadership at all levels and that what amplifies the richness and impact of the collective is the ability to work across the aisle (even sometimes when we can’t see one another), to align, collaborate and amplify our voice in unison. He engaged the audience to illustrate that the most effective leaders trust their teams, seek a big-picture perspective and marshal all resources available to achieve a successful outcome. His metaphors were timely and had real meaning as we think about how to get the best performance out of our own organizations and how to leverage those strengths across the network. We can and must strike the same chord!

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MEALS ON WHEELS AMERICA PRESIDENT AND CEO ELLIE HOLLANDER AND ACTING ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR AGING EDWIN WALKER

Prominent leaders in the aging space delivered their respective state of the union addresses in front of more than 750 attendees.

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AD COUNCIL UPDATE BY HEIDI ARTHUR AND TOM GIBSON

The Ad Council and pro-bono creative agency Anomaly returned to highlight our nationwide volunteer recruitment campaign accomplishments to date, and focus on how each and every Meals on Wheels America Member can benefit from and leverage “America, Let’s Do Lunch™” in their own communities.

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COOKING DEMO BY CHEF MATT FOREMAN, GAYLORD OPRYLAND

The Gaylord Opryland's Executive Chef of Convention Services, Chef Matt Foreman, helped close the 2016 Meals on Wheels Annual Conference and Expo with an interactive lunch and live cooking demo sharing fresh ideas and techniques.

CHIVE BUTTER SAUCE RECIPE

Ingredients 
1 cup white wine
1 shallot sliced
1 bay leaf
½ cup heavy cream
¼ cup salted butter
3 tbsps. of minced chives
 
Method

1. Place white wine, shallot, and bay leaf in a pot over medium heat and reduce by half
2. Add heavy cream and reduce by half
3. Take pot off the heat and gradually whip in butter with a whisk. Add minced chives and serve immediately

NETWORKING EVENTS

 
2016 MEALS ON WHEELS EXPO

 
COMMUNITY FAIR

CONFERENCE RESOURCE CENTER

Meals on Wheels America Members can now access all Conference presentation slides and handouts at www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/ConferenceResources2016. 
  
User Name: Nashville2016 
Password: RiseTogether 

CONNECT WITH EXHIBITORS

The 2016 Expo featured companies offering a wide range of products and services designed to support your program’s success. Check out the Exhibitor Directory to learn more about all of the exhibitors and sponsors you met at the Expo and how to get in contact with them!

#FLASHBACKFRIDAY INSPIRATION 

We want to once again congratulate our big #FlashbackFriday winner Manuela H. Arroyos of Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels in Rosenberg, TX. Manuela shared a time her program worked together to make a huge difference for one of their clients.

When Ms. G did not answer her door, our longtime volunteer J.C. Carillo continued to knock louder and longer until he heard a faint reply. Unable to understand her, he called our Meals on Wheels Coordinator Ranette Montemayor, who immediately contacted the local police and they got the EMS involved. Ms. G has suffered a heart attack and been on the floor over 24 hours when J.C.’s response set in motion the chain of events that saved her life and reminded all of us that we truly do deliver so much more than just a meal. 

Manuela won a free full Conference registration for next year’s Annual Conference in Denver, August 29 - 31, 2017. Congratulations, Manuela!

THANKS FOR THE FEEDBACK

We want to thank all those who took the time to complete our 2016 Conference Evaluation Survey! To show our appreciation to those who submitted their thoughts, we randomly selected Debbie Weber of CEFS Golden Circle Nutrition Program in Effingham, IL to receive a free full Conference registration to attend the 2017 Annual Conference in Denver. Congratulations Debbie!

APP CONTEST WINNER

Meghan Brady of St. Joseph Community Services, Inc. in Merrimack, NH was the big winner of a brand new tablet computer. Congratulations Meghan!

FUTURE CONFERENCES

2017 • DENVER, CO
Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel
August 29 – August 31, 2017
Pre-Conference Workshop and Activities Begin on August 28

2018 • CHARLOTTE, NC
The Westin Charlotte
August 28 – August 30, 2018
Pre-Conference Workshop and Activities Begin on August 27