THE BUSINESS OF CARING
T
hey say hindsight is 20-20,
will take place the 18th–21st with joint
and productive tips on the new
and I’m sure as we look back
activities taking place throughout.
track “Innovation & Technology.”
on the 2020 NMEDA Annual
Danny also shared the details of a
Wednesday wrapped up with
Conference & Expo, a little more than
new conference contest, “What’s
possibly the most anticipated event
a month later, there are some things
Your Sign?” This fun networking
of the conference, our general
we’d do differently considering
game encouraged attendees to mix
session, “The Rolling Disrupters.”
where we are today with the
and mingle while discussing business
Four exceptional individuals who all
COVID-19 pandemic, but there are
topics, with the opportunity for 12
“ride” on wheelchairs shared their
many things I’m sure we’d be grateful
individuals to win $100 each.
inspirational stories about overcoming
we got to enjoy before things really
BraunAbility CEO, Staci Kroon,
assumptions and shattering
got turned on their head. All I know, is the 2020 conference is one we will all remember whether it’s because it was our last one in Daytona Beach, FL, because it was the last time anyone traveled for the next few months, or because it was the last one before we co-locate our conference with ADED. Let’s all take a brief look back…
welcomed keynote speaker, Sunjay Nath who kicked off the evening. After leading us in a comical game of “Sunjay Says” (see funny photos on pg 35), he shared the 10-80-10 principle which encouraged us to take a look at our businesses and employees and think about ways to encourage a shift, for individuals and practices “stuck” in the acceptable
expectations. The panel, moderated by NMEDA friend and consultant Mike Savicki, included Dr. Rory Cooper, University of Pittsburgh’s Human Engineering Research Laboratories, Sam Schmidt, Conquer Paralysis Now and Indy Car Racer, Aaron “Wheelz” Fotheringham, Wheelchair Motocross Athlete, and Noah Currier, Oscar Mike Apparel & OMFoundation. You can view the session on our NMEDA
The conference kicked off on Tuesday
80 percent, into the desired “top”
evening with our opening general
10 percent. The expo hall opened
Facebook or YouTube pages.
session where new NMEDA President,
promptly after the opening session
A special networking event took
Christian Quandt, welcomed
and folks got to explore all the latest
place Wednesday evening for our VIP
attendees. NMEDA CEO, Danny
technologies and offerings in the
Vocational Rehab (VR) attendees.
Langfield, joined by ADED Executive
mobility industry while enjoying
This year NMEDA made a special
Director, Liz Green, shared some
cocktails, tasty fare, and the company
“push” to increase VR attendance
long-anticipated news about the 2021
of their peers.
and the efforts proved to be a
As always, attendees arrived
huge success. Over 30 attendees
co-located conferences. You all have probably heard by now that the 2021 conferences for each association will take place in Columbus, Ohio from September 16-21. NMEDA’s events
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NMEDA Circuit Breaker
Wednesday bright-eyed and ready to learn. Our dealer learning track sessions provided a wide variety of topics including creative
representing 20 states joined the conference resulting in valuable relationships built and increased understanding of the mobility