NIC is convening thousands of seniors housing and skilled nursing capital providers, operators, and sector stakeholders for the first in-person NIC event since the onset of COVID-19. The 2021 NIC Fall Conference will deliver an exceptional attendee experience which attendees of NIC conferences have come to expect – but is incorporating a few changes to adapt to the demands of a world still battling a pandemic.
Networking at ‘the NIC’
Veterans of previous NIC Fall Conferences know that ‘the NIC’ is the most efficient, effective single opportunity of the year for building and deepening relationships within the industry. This year will provide all of the opportunities to meet in hallways, at the bar, at the restaurants, in educational sessions, and in meeting rooms set up for the purpose throughout. And as always, NIC is providing numerous structured opportunities for high-quality networking throughout the event, so attendees can focus on pursuing new contacts, deepening existing relationships, and strengthening their networks.
As in previous years, the event will feature abundant networking environments throughout the conference space, including two areas specifically designated as official Networking Lounges. The lounges will also be home to numerous attendee resources, including the Headshot Lounge, Specialty Coffee Bar, Shoeshine Area, and LinkedIn Corner.
The conference will also feature two NIC Social Hour events, for a more relaxed happy hour-like atmosphere.
All attendees who register by October 1 will receive a NIC lapel pin in their pre-conference mailing. This pre-and post-conference icebreaker further extends networking possibilities, increasing the chances of attendees making new friendships and potential business relationships, even as they travel to and from the event.
As always, first-time attendees will be afforded special activities and resources specifically geared to help them successfully navigate the conference, including an orientation webinar, a First-time Attendee Gathering, and morning meetups.
Programming
Educational programming will span all three days of the conference—offering stand-alone, not-to-be-missed sessions on the issues that will shape seniors housing and care organizations for years to come. The program will include interactive discussions and will feature insights and perspectives from nationally prominent thought-leaders, industry veterans, and policymakers on a carefully curated set of topics of the most importance and relevance in today’s world.
New this year, both in service to safety considerations and the need to focus thought-leadership and discussions on the most important issues, there will be no concurrent sessions. Instead, larger spaces will hold a series of general sessions, scheduled not to overlap. For many, the schedule will be a welcome relief from having to choose between two important sessions occurring concurrently.
Subject matter will include many traditional topics, such as policy outlook, valuations, macroeconomic and capital market trends, and debt market trends. Attendees may also wish to hear from experts and insiders on capital for operations, the case for investing in seniors housing, the forgotten middle market, thinking differently about housing for boomers, and, of course, the recovery timeline for the industry.
Safety
NIC is requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccinations for all registered attendees, in the interest of everyone’s safety.
The decision to require every attendee to provide proof of vaccination, to be confirmed through a third-party vendor, may result in a few attendees opting to stay home. But it reflects both a commitment to fight the pandemic and an awareness of the heroic struggles of many attendees – and over a million of their frontline caregivers – who have fought so hard to protect their communities.
Attendees will be required to provide a photo of themselves, which will be placed on their conference credentials. They must also provide proof of vaccination, with the final dose completed no later than Sunday, October 17, 2021. Once confirmed, submitted documents will be deleted.
Also new this year is the fact that there will be no last-minute or onsite registrations, to allow for the additional safety protocols. NIC is offering no-fee cancellations, up to 30 days prior to the event, to further insulate attendees from the risks of COVID-19. Those who register by October 1 will receive their badges and a PPE kit via mail to reduce queuing and encourage adherence to safety protocols.
Detailed, up-to-date safety information can be found here.
Register Now
This year, given the new safety protocols, attendees must register by Thursday, October 28. As an increased safety measure, onsite registrations will not be accepted for the 2021 NIC Fall Conference. Currently, NIC is offering Early Bird incentives, with significantly discounted rates that will increase on August 16. Don’t miss the most important in-person industry event of 2021. Register yourself and your associates today!
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