Nearly 150 marketing directors, sales counselors, resident counselors, agencies and senior living executives descended upon Southlake, Texas this month for Sales Adventure 2015. The event focused on helping communities connect with prospective residents across every phase of the sales cycle. In addition to the insightful content, Sales Adventure kept its reputation as one of the most enjoyable events in senior living with two nights of Great Gatsby-themed activities (scroll on for pictures).

General Session and Breakouts

“Treat contracts as assets. Help your prospects protect what they have.”
– John Spooner

Greystone Vice Chairman and CEO John Spooner opened with a wide-ranging and insightful address, Storytelling Sells. He encouraged the audience by reminding them they’re the experts on senior living in a sales engagement, and implored them to use the knowledge to break through to seniors and their families.

To underline his point about the benefits continuing care retirement communities (CCRC) bring to residents, he asked for the consistent feedback the audience hears from residents. In unison, the audience responded ‘I should have done this sooner.’

“They buy you before they buy the community.”
– Bruce Byers, Senior Vice President – Marketing Services, Greystone

The General Session also delved into the advantages of Medicare, how to recognize behavioral styles and spot visual cues in the sales process, the power of words, the “Silver Tsunami,” cross-selling strategies and Greystone’s new Pinnacle service program.

We welcomed Lisa LeMaster and AmyK for guest keynotes. An accomplished public relations and crisis communications guru, Lisa provided tips for navigating negative publicity. “You’re co-dependent on your online reputation,” she told the audience.

AmyK delivered an impassioned, energetic keynote about igniting brilliance in sales. She discussed how to define an ideal client relationship, how to keep a prospect’s attention and what you should be thinking about when approaching a potential new customer.

The General Session closed with an inspiring panel featuring residents of The Stayton at Museum Way. Breakout sessions including digital lead management strategies, effective sales leadership, the relationship between marketing and healthcare operations, adult child influencers and more.

Awards Celebration

Greystone works with some of the best and brightest sales and marketing professionals around the country. Each year, we are excited to present a few of the most accomplished with awards. Congratulations to all our nominees and winners!

Rhino Awards

• Janine Short – The Barrington of Carmel
• Jill Coleman – The Westerly Residences
• Cindy Paige – Aberdeen Heights
• Lisa Fosnaugh – The Barrington of Carmel

Senior Living Counselor of the Year

• Sarah Gilroy – The Amsterdam at Harborside

Marketing Community of the Year

• The Terraces at Bonita Springs
  • Amy English
  • Jenna Drese
  • Jamie Fox

Admissions Coordinator of the Year

• Kathy Wheeler – Gulf Coast Village

Clinical Liaison/Community Outreach Manager of the Year

• Marcia Lang – Querencia at Barton Creek

Health Services Sales Counselor of the Year

• Susie Hermann – The Barrington of Carmel

Newcomer of the Year

• Nikki Meeker – The Barrington of Carmel

Marketing Assistant of the Year

• Kate Davison – Santa Marta

Sales & Marketing Director of the Year

• Julio Macias – Greenfields of Geneva

Blue Sky Sales Team of the Year

• The Westerly Residences
  • Jill Coleman
  • Caren Remmers
  • Samantha Skaggs

Operational Sales Team of the Year

• Montereau
  • Jane Carlson
  • Andy Eckstein
  • Mike Merrill
  • Tinesa Siebert
  • Jamie Townsend