48th Annual Meeting & Expo

Sunday, July 27, 2008
2:45 – 4:15 PM

Bonding with Your Boss
Does your boss understand your value to the organization? Are your contributions being recognized? Find out how to build a mutually beneficial relationship between you and your own boss. (1.5 hrs CE)

Discover: Action points to help you establish your value in your workplace, and techniques to make your boss notice! Plus: communication techniques that bring it all home.

Your Leader: Donna Boss, principal of Boss Enterprises in New York City and past editor of Food Management magazine, shares a breadth and depth of industry knowledge with you.

Sunday, July 27, 2008
6:30 – 9:30 PM

Chair’s Welcome Reception
Live from Philadelphia, it’s DMA’s very own version of an “American Bandstand” party, exclusively for DMA Annual Meeting attendees—a sensational event that will tickle your fancy and tip your feet. Vicky Kearney, CDM, CFPP, the 2007-08 DMA Board Chair, hosts this special kick-off event. Yes, it’s “got the beat”… and you can dance to it! Enjoy a casual dinner. Then, prepare to rock, bop, stroll, rattle, and roll!

Tuesday, July 29, 2008
8:30 – 10:00 AM

Leading Out Loud
The “boomerization” of America has begun. How will it affect our country? This session will focus on the needs and wants of a typical baby-boomer, the impact this special generation will have on healthcare, and the reality of senior hunger. What can we do about it? (1.5 hrs CE)

Discover: What it means to lead “out loud” by translating information into action. You can make a difference!

Your Leader: Enid Borden is President and CEO of the Meals On Wheels Assn. of America (MOWAA), the oldest and largest organization in the US representing those who provide meal services to people in need.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008
10:15 – 11:45 AM

What’s for Dinner?
Add a dollop of creativity and a pinch of inventiveness to your menus! Even without an outlay of capital or a hit to your food budget, you can use simple menu upgrades to “wow” your residents and empower your foodservice staff. You’ll take home a batch of fresh-baked ideas, ready for immediate consumption. (1.5 hrs CE)

Discover: How to get your entire resident population asking, “What’s for Dinner?” Learn how to become a premier foodservice operation with this easy recipe; how to build menu excitement.

Your Leaders: An exclusive panel of experts, all of whom have “walked the walk,” will guide you through uncharted menu-planning territory! Welcome DMA Board members Vicky Kearney, CDM, CFPP (current DMA Chair); Carolyn Cooper, CDM, CFPP; Millie Bailey, CDM, CFPP; and Linda Hackworth, CDM, CFPP (Chair-Elect) for this special session.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008
12:30 – 2:00 PM

Leadership Secrets of Santa Claus
Have you ever wondered how Santa Claus was able to get so much done in just one night? Well, Santa would be the first to tell you that it takes a lot of work and leadership! In this fun-filled session, you’ll learn eight secrets to Santa’s success, and find out how you can apply them to your own “workshop”. (1.5 hrs CE)

Discover: How you can have happy and productive “elves” in your organization!

Your Leader: Christy Knowles, PHR, is vice president of Human Resources for Coosa Valley Medical Center in Sylacauga, Alabama.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008
12:00 noon - 3:30 PM

Wednesday, July 30, 2008
8:30 AM – 12:00 noon

DMA Expo
The top trade show of the year, DMA Expo promises you first-hand access to leading vendors serving your needs. For planning your next purchases of food, equipment, supplies, or services, there's nothing better than this very special face-to face opportunity with the industry experts. (Max. 4 hrs CE - Food show category)

So much to see and so many great ideas! On Wednesday, Expo returns to give you prime access!

Sunday, July 27, 2008
1:00 – 2:30 PM

A Workplace Fit for the Future
How do you build an effective workforce? Here is a perspective from a leader representing the United Kingdom’s largest employer—the National Health Service. Learn how this healthcare giant approaches the critical challenge of creating a sustainable workforce ready to tackle the future. Take home new ideas! (1.5 hrs CE)

Discover: How the qualities of your workforce impact your services; how to develop an action plan for change.

Your Leader: Alison McCree joined the National Health Service in England in 1984 and rapidly rose through the ranks to her current position as Associate Director of Estates & Facilities.

Thursday, July 31, 2008
8:30 – 10:00 AM

Who’s That Leader in the Mirror?
It’s you! Or at least it will be, after you tap into these secrets of image-building. In this session, you’ll explore how to find-tune your skills and establish your leadership presence. You’ll walk away with renewed confidence as a leader in your work world. (1.5 hrs CE)

Discover: What makes you a good communicator, how to master professionalism, and how to motivate and empower your staff.

Your Leader: Bonnie Lonbaken, RD, Corporate Dietitian, Lyons Magnus (Keller, Texas), serves on the DMA Industry Advisory Council and the DMA Board of Directors.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008
12:30 – 2:00 PM

Happy Employees, Happy Customers
What does it take to make your customers happy? Learn how one healthcare administrator makes happiness contagious! This session lends critical insight into the employee-customer connection. You’ll discover what to do to bring on happiness and build a meaningful customer service culture in your operation. (1.5 hrs CE)

Discover: Proven best practices that helped one medical center achieve high Press Ganey satisfaction scores and the distinction of a listing in “100 Best Companies to Work For” in Fortune magazine.

Your Leader: Brenda Yost, RN, MSN, LNHA, ALA is Director, Senior Services at East Alabama Medical Center (Opelika, Alabama). She shares her personal successes with you in this ground-breaking presentation.

Thursday, July 31, 2008
10:30 AM – 12:00 noon

Destination: Leadership
Are you on your own leadership path yet? Get ready to go home and carry your team with an invigorated command of leadership skills! (1.5 hrs CE)

Discover: How to apply what you’ve discovered to continue in DMA style: Learn. Discover. Lead.

Your Leader: Susan Borra, RD, President of the International Food Information Council, has been directing nutrition and food safety initiatives within the industry for more than 25 years.