Senior Dining Association upcoming events

Webinar: How to Build a Hospitality Culture in Your Community and Why You Should (Wednesday, July 08, 2026)

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Senior Living is abuzz with excitement over the focus on building a hospitality culture within each community. Hospitality embodies a mindset that invites us to exceed expectations. While customer service focuses on providing answers and resolving issues, hospitality aims to craft memorable experiences, nurture a sense of belonging, and cultivate enduring relationships. This difference is particularly impactful in retirement communities, where every action can influence the ambiance and establish the tone for everyday life. This webinar will explore practical strategies for fostering a hospitality culture in your community, along with measurable metrics to assess return on investment (ROI).

Takeaways:

Explain the difference between customer service and hospitality and training components for each.
Describe and develop practical strategies for fostering a hospitality culture.
Measure ROI of building a Hospitality Culture.

Speaker: David Koelling, Founder with Strategic Dining Services

CEU Certificate of Attendance available for webinar attendees.

Webinar: Out with the Old, In with the New: Improving Dining Through Design & Operations (Wednesday, July 22, 2026)

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Senior living dining has grown far beyond food service—today it shapes comfort, connection, and community. This webinar explores how dining environments evolve when operations and design work together. Through two real-world case studies, we’ll look at how kitchen flow, equipment strategy, and service models align with finishes, lighting, acoustics, and spatial planning to create meaningful experiences. One project reimagines a 50-year-old community with a renewed foundation; the other shows how limited space can still deliver a high-impact dining venue. Attendees will learn how thoughtful planning supports efficiency, hospitality, and the expectations of today’s residents.

Takeaways

Align operations and design to improve efficiency, service quality, and overall dining experience.
Identify key design elements - layout, equipment, lighting, acoustics, and finishes—that activate both performance and hospitality.
Apply lessons from real projects to upgrade dining venues within existing constraints and evolving resident expectations.

Speaker: JD Landis, Senior Designer with SFCS, Inc.

CEU Certificate of Attendance available for webinar attendees.

Webinar: Lessons Learned: Bringing Cook-to-Order Dining to Higher Levels of Care (Wednesday, August 05, 2026)

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 19:00:00 GMT

At The Chesapeake in Newport News, VA, leadership set out to reimagine dining in higher levels of care through two new cook-to-order concepts. Pier 57, a major transformation in Assisted Living, introduced a fresh, restaurant-style experience with an added display cooking studio and private dining room. In 2025, The Galley opened in the Health Care neighborhood, offering open display cooking and elevated amenities for both long-term and short-term guests. With more than $24 million invested since 2018, The Chesapeake is redefining what exceptional dining looks like across all levels of support.

Takeaways:

How strong planning, vision, and partnerships create forward-thinking dining venues.
Key do’s and don’ts from real-world projects that save time, money, and headaches.
Why shifting from a “dietary” mindset to a true dining and hospitality model transforms perception, boosts satisfaction, and even creates demand — including a waiting list for Assisted Living.

Speaker: David Loop, Executive Director with The Chesapeake

CEU Certificate of Attendance available for webinar attendees.

SDA & LeadingAge NC Hospitality Summit for Operators (Thursday, October 08, 2026)

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 12:30:00 GMT

Senior Living Professionals Registration

Hosted by the Senior Dining Association
and LeadingAge North Carolina

Location: TBA

Date: October 8, 2026

Time: 8:30am - 4:00pm ET

Hosted by the Senior Dining Association and LeadingAge North Carolina, this one-day summit brings together senior living professionals, dining leaders, and industry partners for meaningful conversations and actionable takeaways. The agenda will spotlight dining innovation, workforce development, and leadership growth—focusing on strategies that strengthen culture, inspire teams, and elevate the hospitality experience across communities.

SDA & LeadingAge NC Hospitality Summit to Exhibit & Sponsor (Thursday, October 08, 2026)

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 12:30:00 GMT

Exhibit & Sponsor Registration

Hosted by the Senior Dining Association
and LeadingAge North Carolina

Location: TBA

Date: October 8, 2026

Time: 8:30am - 4:00pm ET

Position your brand in front of North Carolina’s senior living decision-makers at this one-day, high-impact event focused on dining, hospitality, and workforce innovation.

Sponsorship Includes:

2 Complimentary registrations
Participation in all sessions & meals
6ft Display table in the Industry Partner Showcase
Logo placement on event marketing materials
Verbal recognition during the event
Post-event registration list

NO REFUNDS.