October 20-22, 2025

JW Marriott Resort & Spa

Las Vegas, NV

Join Julie Podewitz, CEO & Founder of Grow Your Occupancy, BJ Schaefbauer, President of Primrose Retirement Communities, Gretchen Vakiener, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Heritage Senior Living, and Jessi Weldon, Sr. VP Sales and Marketing at Primrose Retirement for their insightful session titled “Selling Senior Living in Uncertain Economic Times: Lessons Learned from the Great Recession.”  

The senior living industry did not escape the Great Recession – the economic downturn that began in December 2007 and lasted through 2009 – unscathed. A decline in occupancy rates because of financial uncertainty and hardships on seniors and their families, combined with a wide range of financing, development and operational challenges, led to a wave of bankruptcies, closures, mergers, and acquisitions. 

As we approach the end of a year of economic uncertainty and turmoil, what lessons can the senior living industry learn from the Great Recession? The panelists, all of whom work for the same company since or before 2008, not only survived, but thrived during the recession. What did they do? They generously share what worked for them then and how what was learned applies to the present time.  What is different now from then? What’s changed most? What is steadfast, proven to work? 

They’ll present two case studies that illustrate how the combination of strong leadership, strategies and tactics brought senior living operators through the great recession; not only survived but thrived.   

Let’s meet up to talk about how we can help you grow your occupancy! Schedule a time with Julie Podewitz by clicking the green button below.