International Council on Active Aging

What does it take to earn the first-ever Platinum Plate of Distinction?

Join us June 30 for an exclusive behind-the-scenes conversation with the team from The Mather, the first senior living community in North America to earn the ICAA Platinum Plate of Distinction.

Hear directly from Thad Parton, Chef Matthew Thompson, and Al Frankey as they share the strategies, standards, and leadership practices that led to Platinum recognition—and how the designation is strengthening culture, recruitment, resident satisfaction, and market differentiation.

You'll learn:

✔️ What it takes to achieve Platinum-level excellence

✔️ How to use the ICAA self-assessment tool

✔️ What happens during a CrossCheck on-site validation

✔️ How leading communities are using Plate of Distinction recognition to stand out

June 30, 2026

2:00 PM EDT | 1:00 PM CDT | 11:00 AM PDT

Complimentary Webinar

Whether you're preparing for an assessment or simply looking to elevate your dining, hospitality, and resident experience, this webinar will provide a practical roadmap to success.

Reserve your seat today! https://www.icaa.cc/conferenceandevents/webinars.htm #3

June 24 Webinar: Maximize Your Active Aging Week® Initiatives: Amplification Tools & Strategies.

Presenters: Colin Milner, Kate Elliott, Kelli LeGaspi, and Sarah Clevenger
Date: June 24, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM EDT | 11:00 AM CDT | 9:00 AM PDT
Length: 60 Minutes

More Than 1 Million People Will Participate in Active Aging Week®—Will Your Organization Stand Out?

Active Aging Week® has grown into one of the world's largest celebrations of healthy aging, with more than 1 million participants expected this year. Yet participation alone isn't the goal. The real opportunity lies in expanding your reach, increasing engagement, attracting media attention, and showcasing your organization's commitment to helping people live better, longer.

Join Colin Milner, CEO of the International Council on Active Aging, along with Kate Elliott, Kelli LeGaspi, and Sarah Clevenger for a practical session on how to elevate your Active Aging Week initiatives before, during, and after the campaign.

You'll learn how to:

--Increase participation and engagement
--Create compelling stories that attract media coverage
--Leverage social media to extend your reach
--Engage residents, members, staff, families, and community partners
--Build momentum before, during, and after Active Aging Week
--Transform a one-week event into year-round visibility and impact

Whether this is your first Active Aging Week or your twentieth, you'll leave with actionable strategies, communication tools, and promotional ideas designed to help your organization reach more people, strengthen community connections, and maximize its impact.

Register Today https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JbQShY7sTeSy91yPXU8ugQ?_gl=1*xmei5h*_gcl_au*MTcyNzQxMzc2NS4xNzc4NTE5MzI5*_ga*MjExMjcxODU0NS4xNzQ2NzM2OTI3*_ga_L8TBF28DDX*czE3ODEyMTI2MjAkbzIxJGcxJHQxNzgxMjE0NTUzJGo0NiRsMCRoMA.. #/registration

Humana Abbott International Council on Active Aging

Earning a Plate of Distinction: Lessons from Platinum Plate Recipient The Mather
Presenter: Thad Parton, Al Frankey, Chef Matthew Thompson
Date: June 30, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM EDT, 1:00 PM CDT, 11:00 AM PDT
Length: 60 minutes
Fee: Complimentary

To register, click here
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_WJQwlI2dTou_FHDIWQmYGw?_gl=1*1463py7*_gcl_au*MTcyNzQxMzc2NS4xNzc4NTE5MzI5*_ga*MjExMjcxODU0NS4xNzQ2NzM2OTI3*_ga_L8TBF28DDX*czE3ODEyMTI2MjAkbzIxJGcxJHQxNzgxMjEzNDcxJGo0OCRsMCRoMA.. #/registration

The ICAA Plate of Distinction is quickly emerging as the new benchmark for culinary, nutrition, hospitality, and dining excellence in senior living. As more communities pursue recognition, earning a Plate of Distinction is becoming a powerful way to differentiate your community, build team pride, and demonstrate a commitment to exceptional resident experiences.

Join us for an inside look at the process from the leaders who helped create the Standards and the first community in North America to achieve the ICAA Platinum Plate of Distinction.

Attendees will hear firsthand from Thad Parton, Assistant Vice President of Food & Beverage at The Mather, about what it took to earn Platinum recognition, how the community leveraged the Standards and self-assessment tools, what the Platinum designation meant to team members and residents, and how recognition has helped reinforce The Mather's reputation for excellence.

You'll also hear from Chef Matthew Thompson, WCMC, co-author of the ICAA Culinary, Nutrition & Hospitality Standards of Excellence, and Al Frankey, Senior Director of CrossCheck Quality Assurance and lead evaluator for the Plate of Distinction validation process, who will provide practical guidance on preparing for an evaluation and understanding what to expect during an on-site review. Colin Milner, ICAA Founder/CEO, and architect of the Plate of Distinction program, will moderate the panel.

If you're considering a Plate of Distinction assessment, this session will provide a clear roadmap for success.

Maximize your Active Aging Week initiatives: Amplification tools & strategies

Presenter: Kate Elliott, Kelli LeGaspi, Sarah Clevenger
Date: June 24, 2026.
Time: 12:00 PM EDT, 11:00 AM CDT, 9:00 AM PDT.
Length: 60 minutes.

To register visit https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JbQShY7sTeSy91yPXU8ugQ?_gl=1*xmei5h*_gcl_au*MTcyNzQxMzc2NS4xNzc4NTE5MzI5*_ga*MjExMjcxODU0NS4xNzQ2NzM2OTI3*_ga_L8TBF28DDX*czE3ODEyMTI2MjAkbzIxJGcxJHQxNzgxMjE0NTUzJGo0NiRsMCRoMA.. #/registration

Sponsored by: Humana

celebrates the contributions and spirit of older adults and shines a spotlight on your organization’s wellness initiatives —but are you maximizing your reach and impact? Join moderator Colin Milner, CEO of the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA), and Kate Elliott, Brand Experiential Associate at Humana, to kick off your planning. Alongside Humana's Communications experts, Kelli LeGaspi and Sarah Clevenger, they’ll share strategies to amplify your efforts across media and social channels. Learn how to craft a compelling story, reach the right audience, and sustain momentum before, during, and after the campaign. It’s never too late to expand your visibility and make a meaningful impact.

Learning objectives:

--Craft and communicate their story – Define key messages, target audiences, and the most effective methods to share their story

--Plan for maximum exposure – Leverage media and social platforms before, during, and after Active Aging Week

--Measure and sustain impact – Extend the reach and influence of AAW initiatives beyond the week to ensure lasting engagement

ICAA launches Foundation for Wellness Certificate Course 2.0

Learn more at https://www.icaa.cc/certificate/overview.htm

What you'll experience

Each module combines foundational knowledge with practical application, helping you build the understanding, confidence, and skills needed to create meaningful wellness outcomes.

Throughout the course, you'll benefit from:

--Clear learning objectives and key wellness concepts.

--Current research, science, and industry insights.

--Real-world examples that demonstrate how the dimensions of wellness work together to influence health and well-being.

--Professional growth activities and goal-setting exercises.

--A deeper exploration of ICAA's definition of wellness and its relevance to individuals and organizations.

--New insights into the life experiences of today's older adults.

--Information on wellness programs and services increasingly recommended through healthcare referrals.

--Three comprehensive case studies that bring wellness concepts to life through practical application.

--Action steps and strategies that can be applied immediately in the workplace.

--Module quizzes to reinforce learning and measure progress.

--A downloadable 44-page ICAA Wellness Workbook for notes, reflections, action planning, and case study exercises.

--Articles, videos, guides, posters, information sheets, and additional planning resources.

The result is a dynamic learning experience that helps you move beyond understanding wellness to successfully applying it in your work, your organization, and your own life.

Have you ever wondered why we walk slower as we get older? New Australian research findings show the body increasingly sacrifices efficiency to stay upright. The findings are published in the journal Gait & Posture.

Read more: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-stability-aging.html

From speed to stability: How aging changes the way we walk Reasons why our walking becomes slower and more tiring with age have been uncovered by new Australian research—with findings showing the body increasingly sacrifices efficiency to stay upright. The findings are published in the journal Gait & Posture.

Healthspan strategies for senior living.

Ziegler’s most recent CFO Hotline℠ survey explored how senior living organizations are defining, implementing, and investing in healthspan, noting that the term is gaining traction across the sector, but still evolving in practice. More than 110 not-for-profit CFOs and financial leaders across the US responded to the survey, offering a view of where the industry stands today and where it's heading.

Read more at

[WEALTH FOR HEALTH] Healthspan Strategies For Senior Living - International Council on Active Aging® Ziegler’s most recent CFO Hotline℠ survey explored how senior living organizations are defining, implementing, and investing in healthspan, noting that the term is gaining traction across the sector, but still evolving in practice. More than 110 not-for-profit CFOs and financial leaders across t...

ICAA's CEO was part of the CIA Menus of Change Conference, sharing the stage with Dr. Walter Willett, Maggie Moon, Sandy Webster and Thad Paron. The discussion highlighted the important role that nutrition, culinary innovation and wellness play in shaping healthier futures for older adults in senior living.

First Age-less report on living longer, better released

Individuals have far greater control over their longevity than is commonly understood, and at least 80% of the responsibility for ill health in old age rests with the individual, according to a new report from the Oxford Longevity Project (OLP). The figure is described by the authors as a conservative estimate.

More at

[IT’S ON YOU] First Age-less Report On Living Longer, Better Released - International Council on Active Aging® Individuals have far greater control over their longevity than is commonly understood, and at least 80% of the responsibility for ill health in old age rests with the individual, according to a new report from the Oxford Longevity Project (OLP). The figure is described by the authors as a conservati...

Join us November 17–19, 2026, in Orlando, Florida, for the ICAA Conference & Expo 2026, the premier event for professionals committed to advancing wellness, healthspan, hospitality, technology, and the aging experience.

The countdown is on. Early Bird registration ends June 9, giving you the opportunity to save up to $230 off the final regular registration rate.

This year’s theme tackles one of the most pressing questions facing our industry: How do you stand out from the crowd?

Over three inspiring days, you'll discover practical answers through:

Visionary keynote presentations
Evidence-informed education sessions
Proven strategies you can implement immediately
Innovative products, services, and technologies
Meaningful networking with leaders shaping the future of aging

You'll leave with new ideas, valuable connections, and a clearer vision for how your organization can thrive in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

As we celebrate 25 years of changing the way we age®, join us in helping define what comes next. To register now visit https://icaaconference.icaa.cc/register.php

To download the ICAA Conference and Expo brochure click herehttps://icaaconference.icaa.cc/pdf/brochure.pdf

Thank you to our sponsors Matrix Fitness USA Humana Aegis Therapies and Institute for Research on Aging