May 8, 2020
CONFERENCE CANCELLATION

It’s with a heavy heart that I share some news from this week’s LeadingAge Iowa board meeting. After much deliberation about gathering concerns related to COVID-19, the LeadingAge Iowa Board of Directors has decided to cancel all scheduled in-person events for the remainder of 2020. This includes the 2020 Spring Conference scheduled on July 9-10. We are all disappointed that we won’t be able to come together this year and reconnect with all of you in-person, but for the safety of all, especially the people served in all your member communities, this felt like the right course of action.

Instead, our team is going to re-imagine and create new virtual education and networking opportunities to support members throughout the balance of the year. We don’t know what all of that will look like yet, however, envision a 2020 virtual conference extravaganza later this year where members not only learn but also engage and connect with one another across the state …. albeit through technology for the near future.

Believe me when I say that I share in any disappointment you may feel. At the heart of this decision, we cannot in any way risk the health of the people we serve by convening as a large group and possibly creating an opportunity to transmit the virus back to member communities. We also understand that COVID-19 preparedness and mitigation mean it’s all-hands-on-deck at your communities, with a laser-sharp focus on the welfare of your residents and teams. As such, it’s a tough decision but the right one for the time.

We applaud your vigilant efforts to combat this virus, your creativity keeping residents and tenants engaged, and your compassionate communication with residents and family members. LeadingAge Iowa, in conjunction with LeadingAge, will continue to assist with information and resources to help you plan for and respond to COVID-19. Additionally, we will begin our new work of leveraging technology to keep us all up-to-date and connected throughout the balance of 2020.

YOUR SPRING CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

What do you need to do with your existing conference registration? Your conference registration will be canceled, and full refunds issued if your registration was paid. If you have questions or concerns about your registration or refund, please contact Amy Huisman at [email protected].

***Overnight guests: All reservations made under the LAI room block at The Meadows Hotel and the overflow hotels (La Quinta Inn & Suites and Holiday Inn Express & Suites) will be canceled. We recommend that you verify your cancellation with the hotel directly. See the Location & Lodging webpage for reservation details at all hotels.

MORE VIRTUAL EDUCATION AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

• LeadingAge Iowa has started offering virtual networking opportunities for key groups and disciplines to meet and discuss issues related to COVID-19. Review these opportunities on the networking webpage at www.LeadingAgeIowa.org/Networking-Meetings.
• Available now: LeadingAge Iowa offers educational content on our on-demand portal at www.LeadingAgeIowaLearn.com. Content includes PDPM, workforce, dementia and other clinical education from recorded webinars that you can utilize anytime, anywhere.
• To come: LeadingAge Iowa will be offering more distance learning opportunities throughout the year and will evaluate all in-person programs originally planned in 2020 for the opportunity to transition to a virtual experience.
• LeadingAge continues to host and record webinars, QuickCasts on the Learning Hub.
• Many of our Business Partners are also offering helpful educational content that we will highlight in member communication.

We know these are challenging times for our members. LeadingAge Iowa stands ready to assist in any way possible.

With appreciation for all you do,



Shannon Strickler
President/CEO
LeadingAge Iowa

Future Conference Dates:
2021 Spring Conference, May 5-6, 2021, The Meadows Conference Center, Altoona
2021 Fall Leadership Conference, September 15-16, 2021, DoubleTree by Hilton Cedar Rapids
Convention Complex