In the Fall of 2022, the NIC Board of Directors adopted a Strategic Plan with a core objective to “expand the tent” into five Focus Areas over the following five years. Now well into that journey, Active Adult, AgeTech, Capital for Operations, Middle Market, and Partnering for Health have proven increasingly vital to the senior housing industry, shaping how we understand and respond to the needs of our customers, operations, and capital structure.
In 2024, Focus Area Committees (FACs) were established to help advance this strategic priority. The FACs have played a meaningful role in shaping NIC’s work. In 2024, the committees provided specific recommendations on conference sessions, research initiatives, and NIC Academy offerings — helping to embed the Focus Areas into NIC’s core programming. In 2025, the FACs shifted toward strategic advice, working to educate NIC staff and leadership while helping to develop tailored engagement plans for each new target audience. Now in 2026, their work continues with the FACs refining engagement plans and developing additional resources needed to bring new stakeholders into the senior housing and care ecosystem.
The results of this progression are already visible. NIC has made significant strides incorporating the Focus Areas across conferences, case studies, white papers, webinars, and educational offerings — all shaped by FAC guidance.
Building on that foundation, the FACs are now focused on driving the next wave of resources and engagement opportunities in 2026.
The FACs gathered in Annapolis, MD on April 27–28 for their 2026 working session. NIC hosted a historic walking tour, reception, and dinner on April 27, followed by a full day of committee meetings on April 28. Members participated in a general session and individual committee breakouts before coming together to share report-outs from each committee. NIC also presented metrics highlighting how each Focus Area is being implemented across NIC resources — including dedicated landing pages on the NIC website — as well as the growing number of new companies engaging with the senior housing and care industry through each Focus Area. The FACs are now working through the outcomes of those discussions to finalize their priorities for the remainder of 2026.
NIC extends its sincere thanks to all FAC volunteers for their insight, expertise, and dedication as we work together to fulfill the strategic vision of “expanding the tent” across each of the Focus Areas.
