March 6, 2025
The High-Value Alternative to Senior Living Conferences
Traditional conferences offer ideas—this event creates real solutions.
In this Senior Living Minute, James Lee shares how a simple gathering of industry peers at Bella Groves evolved into a high-impact, hands-on alternative to traditional senior living conferences. Instead of just listening to speakers, attendees collaborate on real projects, create actionable solutions, and share resources freely with the industry.
Learn how this unique approach is reshaping professional development in senior living.
Transcript: The High-Value Alternative to Senior Living Conferences
A few years ago, when we opened Bella Groves, we had so many friends and colleagues from the industry come out to support us in person. After they arrived, I thought—what a waste it would be to have all these brilliant people here for just a five-minute tour.
That’s when I had an idea. Instead of a traditional housewarming, what if we worked on small group projects that were relevant to us at the time? Instead of bringing gifts, they shared insights on how to successfully launch this business.
Almost immediately, the people who attended asked, ‘Are you doing this again?’ So we did it a second year. And then a third. Each time, more professionals in senior living joined—people like me who didn’t just want to sit through another conference.
This has become a once-a-year event where we work on real topics instead of just listening to speakers talk about them. At the end of our time together, we produce a deliverable, take ownership of it, and share it freely so others in the industry can build on our work.