VGM Heartland Conference Brings the HME Community Back Together, Safely

Published in Home Modifications on October 05, 2021

VGM’s annual Heartland Conference celebrated its 20th event Sept. 13–15, 2021, by welcoming nearly 1,000 guests from across the country to its hometown of Waterloo. The conference brings members of the HME community together each year for three days of networking and educational events. 

Usually held in June, the conference was moved to September to help ensure the health and safety of everyone involved. Additional precautions taken included moving all social events to outdoor spaces, requiring masks while indoors, and running conference transportation at 75% capacity. The Heartland planning committee also established a well-trained COVID response team to help keep everyone safe.
 
“As leaders in the health care industry, we wanted to do everything we could, taking all proper precautions, to help keep everyone safe during our time together,” said Clint Geffert, president of VGM & Associates. “We know the past year and a half has provided numerous challenges and uncertainties, and we’re honored to have the opportunity to bring everyone back together, safely.”

Heartland featured both an Accessibility track and VGM Live at Home Installer Training. 

Installer Training"Live at Home members really enjoyed re-connecting face to face with each other, our partners and the several new companies we have brought in," said Jim Greatorex, vice president of VGM Live at Home. "Our installer trainings were mostly at capacity and the educational tracks were very engaging. Our feedback has been extremely positive and we all had some great takeways and made great memories!"

Heartland also featured a virtual offering, Heartland At Home. VGM members were able to attend the conference exclusively through the virtual courses, which also were complimentary for those who attended in person.

“The HME community plays a vital role as part of the health care industry,” said Jill Blaser, Heartland Conference co-chair. “Heartland offers top-of-the-line education designed to help HMEs take care of their business and, ultimately, their patients. That’s why it’s so important to us that our community members have those educational opportunities, no matter where they are.”  

While there were many changes to the Heartland conference this year, those who have attended in past years found plenty of the familiar Midwest hospitality. One such attendee was Roger Lichty, owner of Mobility Connection Inc. out of Rockford, Illinois, who has attended all 20 Heartland Conferences. Lichty was presented with a perfect attendance award to show VGM’s appreciation for his dedication to Heartland and the HME community.  

Award

To further celebrate 20 years of Heartland, VGM continued its philanthropic efforts with the 200 for 20 charity event, where conference attendees nominate charities in their own communities. VGM then selected 20 of those charities to be awarded a $200 check. 

“Heartland is more than an industry conference,” Geffert said. “It’s an opportunity for our members to get together and be part of something bigger. Whether they chose to attend in person or virtually, we hope they experienced all the magic that Heartland had to offer.” 

The Heartland Conference will return to Waterloo on June 13–15, 2022. To learn more about the Heartland Conference, please visit www.vgmheartland.com.  


TAGS

  1. home modifications
  2. vgm live at home

From Our Experts

Patient-Centered Care, More Than a Buzz Word? thumbnail Patient-Centered Care, More Than a Buzz Word? The delivery of patient-centered care should be one of the main focuses of the DME provider. This delivery of care is one of the main components of ACOs. Building a Ramp for the Dalai Lama: A Home Access Company's Unique Challenge thumbnail Building a Ramp for the Dalai Lama: A Home Access Company's Unique Challenge It's not every day that a company receives a special request from a global spiritual leader. Premier Medical Equipment was tasked with an extraordinary project: constructing a modular wheelchair ramp for none other than the Dalai Lama. A Note from the VP, Jim Greatorex: September 2024 thumbnail A Note from the VP, Jim Greatorex: September 2024 We're thrilled to introduce our new vendor partner, SolutionBased, Inc., highlight the 2024 VGM Live at Home Building Opportunities Summit, share our most unique member spotlight story yet, and much more. Building Opportunities Summit Seeks to ‘Disrupt' Home Access Market thumbnail Building Opportunities Summit Seeks to ‘Disrupt' Home Access Market The VGM Live at Home Building Opportunities Summit will take place on Nov. 7-9 in Kansas City, focusing on advancing the home accessibility market with new technologies and strategies. Advancing the Industry | Home Access Survey thumbnail Advancing the Industry | Home Access Survey HomesRenewed™ Ventures is a technology company devoted to helping Americans age in place and is requesting general contractor feedback to assist in advancing the home access industry. A Note from the VP, Jim Greatorex: July 2024: A Mid-Year Reflection thumbnail A Note from the VP, Jim Greatorex: July 2024: A Mid-Year Reflection As we bask in the warmth of summer, it's the perfect time to reflect on the first half of 2024. This year has been marked by the initiation of ambitious projects. VGM Live at Home Member Spotlight: LiveWell Mobility and Modifications thumbnail VGM Live at Home Member Spotlight: LiveWell Mobility and Modifications Nate Davis, CEO of LiveWell Mobility and Modifications, discussed their recent project with the Cobbs family, a shining example of their dedication to enhancing lives through thoughtful home modifications. Your Career Compass: Developing Your Personal Leadership Values thumbnail Your Career Compass: Developing Your Personal Leadership Values True leadership transcends formal authority—it's about influence, vision, and the impact and value you create.