RECAPPING OUR TIME SPENT TOGETHER IN CHARLOTTE

HERE'S WHAT ATTENDEES ARE SAYING

“The depth and quality of information provided in workshops is really excellent and beyond the basics. I appreciate the effort to provide opportunities to help programs 'move to the next level' and position themselves professionally in the changing business climate.”

“I came back home with a skip in my step and renewed excitement to be a part of Meals on Wheels.”

“I personally appreciate how each of the last 4 years have built upon each other to raise the bar on how we go forward in professionalizing, unifying and expanding the Meals on Wheels movement.”

“Hearing about other programs was very helpful. It was validating to learn that amazingly successful programs are struggling with some of the same issues our program does. And it was great to get ideas on how other programs deal with those challenges.”

“I am a newbie and feel the conference helped me have a better understanding of the program as a whole. I also got a sense of belonging to something bigger with a greater purpose.”

KEYNOTE: ELLIE HOLLANDER, PRESIDENT AND CEO, MEALS ON WHEELS AMERICA

Ellie officially kicked off our 2018 gathering with an inspirational “state of the union”-style address, complete with an overview of the Association’s strategic vision, her thoughts on the future and of course, dancing!

KEY MESSAGES

• “While I always look forward to our annual gathering with great anticipation, this year somehow feels very different. Today I am aware of a whole new level of excitement and energy…fueled by the growing momentum we are mobilizing together. The world is taking notice of the true value of what you deliver every day to the seniors in your communities…and it’s not just the delivery of food!”
• “Our strength is our unity of purpose. That’s why we selected this famous FDR quote as the centerpiece of our event. It reminds us of our most deeply-rooted beliefs and of the shared mission that has bound us together since our first Conference 44 years ago. And, at the same time, it focuses us on what can, and needs to be, our greatest guide and source of inspiration as we shape and advance the future we are working so hard to create together.”
• “While we continue to pursue all avenues to unlock additional funding to enable us to do what we do best, it remains clear that the single greatest opportunity before us to generate the scale of funding our network needs to meet the demands of an escalating senior population is to partner with healthcare.”
• “In simple terms, the very survival of our healthcare system—which operates on an astonishing $3.3 trillion dollar annual budget—is dependent on keeping vulnerable seniors more healthy, living in their own homes and out of more costly settings. That, of course, is exactly what you do each and every day!”
• “Advancing opportunities to unleash significant funding on your behalf—for our Member programs—whether through healthcare, advocacy, cause marketing campaigns, and the like is priority one for Meals on Wheels America.”

 

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KEYNOTE: EDWIN WALKER, DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR AGING OF THE ADMINISTRATION ON AGING

As the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aging of the Administration on Aging (AoA) within the Administration for Community Living, Edwin Walker guides and promotes the development of home and community-based long-term care programs, policies, and services designed to afford older Americans the ability to age with dignity and independence. Watch as the Deputy Assistant Secretary shares his vision for the Meals on Wheels network and plans for inspiring the next generation of senior nutrition leaders.

 

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KEYNOTE PANEL: EXPLORING THE INTERSECTION OF HEALTHCARE AND MEALS ON WHEELS

The healthcare community has become increasingly focused on studying the social determinants of health to provide improved patient-centered care and create healthier communities. We were thrilled to bring together a panel of experts from the industry to discuss population health trends, and how together, we can address health risks determined by the conditions in the environments in which people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship and age. Lucy Theilheimer, Chief Strategy and Impact Officer at Meals on Wheels America, moderated a conversation focusing on how these trends are playing out in communities across the country and ways your program can become a part of win-win collaborations to extend reach and impact to high-risk seniors. Each expert panelist shared their thoughts on how to improve care for the vulnerable population we serve and their outlook for the future.

Panelists:

• Allyson Schwartz, MSS, President and CEO of the Better Medicare Alliance and former U.S. Congresswoman
• Shelley Lyford, President and CEO, West Health
• Andrew Renda, MD, MPH, Director Bold Goal, Humana

 

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KEYNOTE: NICK TASLER, ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST, AUTHOR & SPEAKER

Nick Tasler, an internationally acclaimed thought leader, organizational psychologist and the #1 best-selling author of four counterintuitive books on the art and science of making decisions and leading change, shared his experience with the Meals on Wheels network as we address the rapidly evolving challenges and opportunities before us. We turned his talk into a podcast so that you can be inspired on the go!

LISTEN NOW     BUY NICK'S BOOKS

 

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KEYNOTE: MATTHEW HOFFMAN, TELEVISION HOST AND CREATOR OF "TUESDAYS WITH MATTHEW" 

American television host and personality Matthew Hoffman provided a lighthearted and entertaining closing as we shared what inspired him to create "Tuesdays with Matthew," a volunteer program and video series for seniors where he takes iconic scenes from famous movies and recreates them with the "scene-iors" starring as the leads. Armed with costumes, wigs, and a green screen, Matthew’s intention is to make seniors feel like Movie Stars. The series has garnered national attention from People Magazine, Huffington Post, and others, and he donates one hundred percent of the monetization from video views to Meals on Wheels America to help us address senior hunger and isolation nationally.

 

The first Meals on Wheels national volunteer campaign has generated tremendous success for the network, and, as the end of our three-year contract with the Ad Council approaches in December, this year's Conference was a perfect time to take a look back at all we’ve accomplished, and ahead at what’s still to come. 

 

MORE THAN A MEAL COMPREHENSIVE NETWORK STUDY

Funded by Aetna and conducted by third-party research firm Trailblazer Research, the next phase of our popular More Than a Meal body of research will be a first-of-its-kind national profile that will enable us all to tell a more complete and compelling Meals on Wheels story. Meals on Wheels America Members will have a key role in helping to create an understanding of our evolving client population and the offerings they receive from Meals on Wheels programs across the country. Learn more here. 
 

SUBARU SHARE THE LOVE EVENT 

For the eleventh year in a row, Subaru's Share the Love Event is giving Meals on Wheels America Members an unparalleled opportunity to raise dollars and awareness for your community by once again inviting us to join an incredibly successful national cause marketing campaign. Just as we did last year, we're improving the distribution of the funds raised in an effort to reward those programs that actively contribute to the Event's success. Learn more here.

OLDER AMERICANS ACT REAUTHORIZATION 

The OAA is up for reauthorization in September 2019. While that may seem like a long time from now, important discussions are already happening, and we must use this time wisely to advocate for a timely reauthorization. To ensure that our advocacy efforts moving forward reflect the goals and asks of our membership, we want to hear your thoughts on the next OAA reauthorization process and how we can best support you! Please share your input with us through this short online form so we can be sure to advocate as fully as possible for what your programs truly need. 

CONFERENCE RESOURCE CENTER

Meals on Wheels America Members can now access all Conference presentation slides and handouts at www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/resources-2018. 
 

CONNECT WITH EXHIBITORS

Did you find a product or service that would be perfect for your program? Find out more about the companies you met with, including their contact information,through the interactive Expo Map.
 

THANKS FOR THE FEEDBACK

We want to thank all those who took the time to complete our 2018 Conference Evaluation Survey! To show our appreciation to those who submitted their thoughts, we randomly selected Margaret Schweizer of Visiting Nurse Service Meals On Wheels in Webster, NY to receive a free full Conference registration to attend the 2019 Annual Conference in Dallas. Congratulations, Margaret!

We asked all Conference attendees to share their thoughts on what we can accomplish working together as a powerful national network. Get inspired!

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NETWORKING EVENTS

2018 MEALS ON WHEELS EXPO

LEARNING SESSIONS