Amidst the bluebonnets at the Kalahari in Round Rock, Texas, the 2025 Annual TALA Conference and Industry Expo kicked off with a full day of engaging nursing sessions plus a senior leadership track, a new addition to this year’s event. That evening, the TALA Board of Directors invited provider members, industry partners, and speakers to a reception at the beautiful Kalahari event barn. The board reception had record turnout! Attendees mixed and mingled, connecting with new industry contacts and reconnecting with colleagues and friends while enjoying complimentary drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and a live performance by local Austin band The Mellows. Thank you to the TALA board, provider members, industry partners, and speakers for joining us for a fantastic evening.
Day 2 began with an incredibly motivating opening keynote presentation Dare to Matter: The Unapologetic Drive to Matter More by Pete Smith. It was a packed ballroom by 8am. Attendees shared feeling inspired, renewed, and excited, after this funny and insightful presentation. Next, TALA’s VP of Public Policy Carmen Tilton took the stage for the critically important session on public policy. With the support of TALA’s Legislative Consultant Jamie Capelo, Carmen shared how what’s happening during the current 89th Texas Legislature might have effects on the daily operations of Texas Assisted Living communities. Attendees always get a lot out of this highly engaging and informative presentation. Next attendees proceeded to the TALA Heroes Luncheon and Award Ceremony, to honor the class of 2025 TALA Heroes from across Texas. The TALA Heroes are peer-nominated stars of assisted living and come from all different kinds of fields of expertise – from Sales to Activities to Housekeeping and much more.
The day continued with breakout sessions in nursing, dementia, and leadership and attendees dispersed for an intellectually stimulating afternoon. That evening everyone came back together for the Industry Expo Opening Reception, where attendees strolled exhibitors’ booths, learned about the latest industry services, and made valuable connections. The Expo Reception is always a very lively evening – in addition to checking out the awesome exhibitor booths, attendees explored the hospitality suite, and mixed and mingled with vendors and other attendees. A lucky Opening Reception attendee won a free 2-night stay at The Kalahari Resort!
And before we could blink, it was the final day of the TALA 2025 Conference and Industry Expo. Bringing back a popular event, early risers relaxed and refreshed for the day with a yoga session in the event barn. The Decision Maker’s Breakfast saw the TALA Board of Directors and Sustaining Industry Partners engaging in a networking opportunity that people always write home about (okay, maybe not write home but definitely compliment). Meanwhile, attendees enjoyed breakfast tacos and dispersed for the last day of educational and compelling content in manager and leadership sessions and panels, and the Industry Expo opened for the final day. The Expo featured an energy-filled pitch-off (congrats to winner Halcyon Home!), chair massages in the Wellness Suite, and tons of giveaways during the raffle drawing. Congrats to all the winners! And finally, Anthony Ormsbee-Hale brought it home with the Closing Keynote, Why Your ‘Why’ Isn’t Working: Reclaiming Our Purpose in Senior Living, which felt like the perfect ending to a full and compelling event.
TALA hopes our attendees, exhibitors, and speakers enjoyed this year’s event. TALA aims to provide fascinating content and engaging formats for interaction and exchange. This year TALA had record-breaking attendance, and TALA cannot express how grateful we are that our attendees continue to return, and our event provides the Texas Assisted Living industry with relevant and smart content.
Ultimately, what makes the TALA conference so special are the connections and knowledge folks leave with to take back to their residents and teams, so as always- TALA appreciates each and every person who attended this year. We are already looking forward to the 2026 Conference and Industry Expo from April 8th-10th at The Kalahari. See you there!
