I am looking for input on the 2018 fall conference dates. I had hoped to keep this simple and send you a couple dates to select from but we have several factors impacting the decision. While we await Kevin’s availability, I wanted to get your initial thoughts so we are able to move forward with booking the venue as soon as possible (waiting increases the risk that they will be booked).

MHCA has historically held their fall conference in November. The only date available at the U of M conference center (which works well for our event and keeps the cost down) will likely overlap with the CareProviders conference. Although this is unlikely to impact providers, we generally have given professional courtesy to other conference dates and we know they will be upset. We could consider an October date.

October Date:

The Board meetings are scheduled for November. If we move the board meeting up to Oct, the following items are impacted: budget process timeline, selection of legislative priorities timeline, no board meeting in Nov or Dec
The Board could choose to still meet in November. In that case, we would need to consider a conference call for the legislative priorities approval (I think it’s important for Kevin to share them at the conference)
Kevin has indicated that legislators may be more likely to agree to attend if they are in “election mode” (they won’t commit to Nov date in advance, if they are up for election)
We need to work around a conflict Kevin has in October (thus the delay in booking the venue)

November Date:

Kevin would likely be better able to forecast the upcoming session based on election results (this is not a priority for many of the attendees)
The Leg priorities and budgeting would not be impacted
We can book the venue now
We risk upsetting CareProviders

With these factors in mind, do you have a preference for October or November dates? If you are curious, the following 2018 dates are currently available at the U of M:

October 2, 3 or 4

October 16, 17 or 18

October 23, 24 or 25

November 13 & 14

Kathy Messerli

Executive Director | Minnesota HomeCare Association

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