CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
The 2027 Conference Program is currently being developed.
The Environments for Aging Conference + Expo offers the latest strategies and ideas tailored for senior living design over 2-plus days in an evolved conference featuring shorter, smarter sessions which include real-world case studies, research findings, design outcomes or processes, and other topics addressing today’s senior living facilities.
Please see below the 2026 lineup.
Looking for session presentations or handouts from the 2026 conference?
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Please note: if the session you’re looking for is not listed, the speaker(s) did not send that session’s presentation to EFA Show Management.
2026 Full Conference Lineup (conference ticket holders only)
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Registration Open
T01 – Community Tour – Sagewood
A tour of Sagewood, a continuing care retirement community on 85 acres…A tour of Sagewood, a continuing care retirement community on 85 acres in North Phoenix. Sagewood is an amenity rich retirement community with approximately 417 independent living units, 78 skilled nursing beds, 44 assisted living apartments, and 30…A tour of Sagewood, a continuing care retirement community on 85 acres in North Phoenix. Sagewood is an amenity rich retirement community with approximately 417 independent living units, 78 skilled nursing beds, 44 assisted living apartments, and 30 memory care apartments. The tour will feature resort style amenities, dining venues, common areas, meeting spaces, wellness/fitness, outdoor activities, and a large auditorium. The desert landscape…A tour of Sagewood, a continuing care retirement community on 85 acres in North Phoenix. Sagewood is an amenity rich retirement community with approximately 417 independent living units, 78 skilled nursing beds, 44 assisted living apartments, and 30 memory care apartments. The tour will feature resort style amenities, dining venues, common areas, meeting spaces, wellness/fitness, outdoor activities, and a large auditorium. The desert landscape and architecture will be featured throughout the tour. Learning Objectives: Analyze architectural design related to the desert climate and landscape. Explore the Southwestern design principles and the relevancy they hold 15 years later. Reflect on emerging trends and the future of desert architectural design. Assess the current design and its impact to the culture of a senior living community.Show MoreClick the title to see all detailsShow More
W01 – An Experiential Approach to Materials Selection
Led by an interior design professor, this hands-on interactive worksho…Led by an interior design professor, this hands-on interactive workshop will allow participants to examine the performance criteria for furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) used within senior living projects. Participants will put materials …Led by an interior design professor, this hands-on interactive workshop will allow participants to examine the performance criteria for furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) used within senior living projects. Participants will put materials samples to the test in a variety of scenarios to understand how best to specify products for a range of users, settings, and maintenance practices/standards. Attendees will be provided with a box of s…Led by an interior design professor, this hands-on interactive workshop will allow participants to examine the performance criteria for furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) used within senior living projects. Participants will put materials samples to the test in a variety of scenarios to understand how best to specify products for a range of users, settings, and maintenance practices/standards. Attendees will be provided with a box of samples to evaluate during this portion of the workshop. Additionally, the workshop will help attendees develop a deeper understanding of how differently abled users engage with the built environment to help foster empathy in design and materials selection. Come ready to identify the range of abilities that must be considered within any senior living setting and how those abilities influence product procurement. Formatted for both newcomers to the field, including students, as well as active professionals who would benefit from an update on current FF&E offerings, performance metrics, etc., this workshop will equip participants with immediately applicable strategies to introduce to their design process. Learning Objectives Understand the significance of experience- and application-based learning in the design process. Engage in empathy-based exercises to understand differently abled users' experiences of the built environment. Actively evaluate FF&E performance criteria and characteristics. Analyze and evaluate empathy and performance characteristics as a component of experience-based learning that can be applied to the design process. Sponsored By: Wolf-GordonShow MoreClick the title to see all detailsShow More
Welcome Reception in the Expo Hall
Join us inside the Expo Hall for drinks, hors d’oeuvres while networki…Join us inside the Expo Hall for drinks, hors d’oeuvres while networking, perusing booths, and catching up with your favorite vendors. All badge types are welcome. Sponsored by: Rock House Designer BrandsJoin us inside the Expo Hall for drinks, hors d’oeuvres while networking, perusing booths, and catching up with your favorite vendors. All badge types are welcome. Sponsored by: Rock House Designer BrandsJoin us inside the Expo Hall for drinks, hors d’oeuvres while networking, perusing booths, and catching up with your favorite vendors. All badge types are welcome. Sponsored by: Rock House Designer BrandsShow MoreClick the title to see all details
Serving Up Success: The Future of Senior Living Dining
As dining venues continue to evolve into vital hubs for social connect…As dining venues continue to evolve into vital hubs for social connection and community identity, design teams face the dual challenge of delivering appealing environments and high-end aesthetics alongside rigorous operational efficiency. Join a pane…As dining venues continue to evolve into vital hubs for social connection and community identity, design teams face the dual challenge of delivering appealing environments and high-end aesthetics alongside rigorous operational efficiency. Join a panel of industry experts and winners from EFA’s annual Dining Competition as they dive into recent award-winning projects, share valuable lessons learned, and offer a forward-looking perspective on the t…As dining venues continue to evolve into vital hubs for social connection and community identity, design teams face the dual challenge of delivering appealing environments and high-end aesthetics alongside rigorous operational efficiency. Join a panel of industry experts and winners from EFA’s annual Dining Competition as they dive into recent award-winning projects, share valuable lessons learned, and offer a forward-looking perspective on the trends shaping the next generation of senior living dining experiences. All badge types are welcomeShow MoreClick the title to see all detailsShow More
New Professionals Meet-Up
If you’ve never attended EFA or are new to senior living, this casual,…If you’ve never attended EFA or are new to senior living, this casual, hosted meet-up during the welcome reception is your place to start! Join fellow first-timers, career-changers, and emerging professionals for relaxed conversation and easy intro…If you’ve never attended EFA or are new to senior living, this casual, hosted meet-up during the welcome reception is your place to start! Join fellow first-timers, career-changers, and emerging professionals for relaxed conversation and easy introductions designed to help you find your people. Members of the editorial board, the EFA event team, and seasoned attendees will also be on hand to share insights, answer questions, and help make conne…If you’ve never attended EFA or are new to senior living, this casual, hosted meet-up during the welcome reception is your place to start! Join fellow first-timers, career-changers, and emerging professionals for relaxed conversation and easy introductions designed to help you find your people. Members of the editorial board, the EFA event team, and seasoned attendees will also be on hand to share insights, answer questions, and help make connections. Come as you are, stay as long as you like, and leave with a few friendly faces to explore the show with! All badge types are welcome.Show MoreClick the title to see all detailsShow More
Networking Breakfast
All badge types are welcomeAll badge types are welcomeAll badge types are welcome
Registration Open
K01 – Welcome + Opening Keynote: The Power of Play How We Can Use Imagination and Curiosity to Change the World
If we want to create, innovate, and collaborate in fresh ways, we need…If we want to create, innovate, and collaborate in fresh ways, we need to tap into the power of play—which is for everyone, not just for kids. In this talk, award-winning toy designer and educator Cas Holman illustrates how play is a fundamental elem…If we want to create, innovate, and collaborate in fresh ways, we need to tap into the power of play—which is for everyone, not just for kids. In this talk, award-winning toy designer and educator Cas Holman illustrates how play is a fundamental element of creativity. Using examples from her own design work and decades of observing and facilitating play, she explains how play inspires unexpected outcomes and allows for new discoveries that might …If we want to create, innovate, and collaborate in fresh ways, we need to tap into the power of play—which is for everyone, not just for kids. In this talk, award-winning toy designer and educator Cas Holman illustrates how play is a fundamental element of creativity. Using examples from her own design work and decades of observing and facilitating play, she explains how play inspires unexpected outcomes and allows for new discoveries that might otherwise be unreachable or seem impossible. Her approach has helped teams reframe their understanding of their goals and create new approaches and processes to evaluate and achieve them. She’s already brought her workshops to the likes of Nike, Ford, and Disney Imagineering, helping them integrate the benefits of play into their work. A keen observer of human behavior, Cas’s insights make her a go-to for teams looking to energize their process and reframe corporate habits. All badge types are welcome.Show MoreClick the title to see all detailsShow More
E01 – Generation Integration: How the Fields at Three Pillars is Creating Unity in Community
As consumer preferences evolve, many are moving away from traditional,…As consumer preferences evolve, many are moving away from traditional, age-segregated Life Plan Communities toward intergenerational models that foster authentic and dynamic connections across age groups. This session explores how communities can pro…As consumer preferences evolve, many are moving away from traditional, age-segregated Life Plan Communities toward intergenerational models that foster authentic and dynamic connections across age groups. This session explores how communities can proactively embrace this shift-blending residential, care, and community resources to create vibrant, inclusive environments. Putting Intergenerational Planning into Practice: Attendees will gain practic…As consumer preferences evolve, many are moving away from traditional, age-segregated Life Plan Communities toward intergenerational models that foster authentic and dynamic connections across age groups. This session explores how communities can proactively embrace this shift-blending residential, care, and community resources to create vibrant, inclusive environments. Putting Intergenerational Planning into Practice: Attendees will gain practical strategies for embedding intergenerational principles into both large-scale master plans and smaller-scale projects. Presenters will share practical guidelines for incorporating intergenerational elements-using many of the traditional programming and financing metrics, but reimagined through a new lens for development, design, and operations. Seeing the Concepts in Action: Take a deep dive into how Three Pillars Senior Living Communities is expanding its residential offerings to provide more diverse lifestyle offerings to both senior and non-senior users. This real-world case study will illustrate how intentional placemaking, phased implementation, and mission-aligned amenities-such as a Cognitive Resource Center and workforce housing-can bring intergenerational values to life while enhancing long-term community sustainability.Show MoreClick the title to see all detailsShow More
E02 – Designing a Roadmap to Results: Enriching Residents Lives through Renovation
The Quadrangle is a unique community, founded in 1989 by Haverford Col…The Quadrangle is a unique community, founded in 1989 by Haverford College alumni on the grounds of a historic manor house. The community's culture is deeply rooted in Quaker values, integrity, simplicity, and community. The Quakers have a long histo…The Quadrangle is a unique community, founded in 1989 by Haverford College alumni on the grounds of a historic manor house. The community's culture is deeply rooted in Quaker values, integrity, simplicity, and community. The Quakers have a long history of participation and consensus. The Quadrangle thrives under the leadership of an involved and dedicated Resident Association. Sharing feedback from residents, operations, ownership, and showing ex…The Quadrangle is a unique community, founded in 1989 by Haverford College alumni on the grounds of a historic manor house. The community's culture is deeply rooted in Quaker values, integrity, simplicity, and community. The Quakers have a long history of participation and consensus. The Quadrangle thrives under the leadership of an involved and dedicated Resident Association. Sharing feedback from residents, operations, ownership, and showing examples of design evolution, we will illustrate how roadblocks were turned into opportunities to build trust. Highlights will include how the community's unique sense of place was recognized as a differentiator to be enhanced. Valuable insights questions that should have been asked sooner, operational flexibility, resident involvement, and the constraints of tight timelines, an existing structure, and local zoning authorities will be addressed. We will share how specific design improvements; new amenities, open flexible spaces, natural light, faux lighting, biophilic design, and landscape upgrades generated excitement, improved resident wellbeing, and overcame resistance to change. Concluding with important resident feedback and post project outcomes, both measurable successes and lessons learned in areas such as environmental health, resident safety, and social interaction, attendees will learn from the projects success and our challenges along the way.Show MoreClick the title to see all detailsShow More
E03 – The Best Years Are Ahead: Why Adaptive Reuse Is Ideal for Senior Living
For a variety of economic reasons, today there is a surplus of underut…For a variety of economic reasons, today there is a surplus of underutilized buildings. At the same time, seniors are living longer, resulting in greater housing need. Combined, these trends make it intuitive to convert existing buildings to senior l…For a variety of economic reasons, today there is a surplus of underutilized buildings. At the same time, seniors are living longer, resulting in greater housing need. Combined, these trends make it intuitive to convert existing buildings to senior living. For one, environments rich in diversity and architectural character are inherently stimulating. Second, aged buildings, like people, are not obsolete and have valuable stories to tell. Third, e…For a variety of economic reasons, today there is a surplus of underutilized buildings. At the same time, seniors are living longer, resulting in greater housing need. Combined, these trends make it intuitive to convert existing buildings to senior living. For one, environments rich in diversity and architectural character are inherently stimulating. Second, aged buildings, like people, are not obsolete and have valuable stories to tell. Third, existing buildings in walkable environments allow people to “age in place” with the best amenity—the city—close at hand. For developers, renovation can often be less expensive than the cost of new development. Preserving existing buildings conserves both land and embodied carbon, and, in historic buildings, tax credits can offset development costs. Finally, reusing existing buildings—while not without challenges—allows a deeper connection to residents, tapping into personal histories with familiar details and spaces with a resonance that can positively contribute to residents’ cognitive health. Inspīr Embassy Row is a case study that shows how a historic building was transformed into a new senior living facility that combines the best qualities of residential, hospitality, and healthcare—proving that, for residents and building alike, the best years are still to come.Show MoreClick the title to see all detailsShow More
