WHCA Annual Convention Round-Up

The 2026 WHCA Annual Convention, held last week in Seattle, was a wonderful opportunity for more than 530 professionals from Washington’s long-term care community to gather for engaging education and networking opportunities. Here are some of the highlights:

Education

We had 40 breakout education sessions across 4 focused tracks, plus our uplifting keynote from Trish Tutton, Becoming Unshakeable: Thrive Through Challenge and Change. Additionally, we held a special panel and roundtable discussions on emergency preparedness, featuring WHCA members who had valuable insights to share from their experiences navigating last winter’s extreme flooding.

A special thank you to PharMerica for sponsoring the Leadership track sessions at this year’s Convention, and thank you to Employer Resources Northwest (ERNwest) for sponsoring the keynote.

AB Welcome Reception

Convention kicked off with a welcome reception, where we reconnected with old friends and colleagues – and met a few new ones – over drinks and delicious appetizers. We always look forward to this opportunity to build community between our provider attendees and our supportive Associate Business partners at the launch of each Convention.

Thank you to BOK Financial, Interactive Medical Systems, and Wattenbarger Architects for sponsoring the reception.

Associate Business Trade Show

Nearly 50 exhibitors came out to share their goods and services with our long-term care providers. Many of our business partners got into the spirit of the Convention theme, Every Picture Tells a Story, by decorating their booths (and themselves!) in the style of Hollywood’s Golden Age.

Thank you to Marsh McLennan Agency and ServiceMaster of Tacoma for sponsoring the trade show and luncheon.

WHCA-PAC Bowl-a-Rama

Our amazing members came out in force to support the work of the WHCA-PAC at the third annual Bowl-a-Rama FUNdraiser night. Everyone had a great time bowling, dancing, singing, eating, and engaging in a little friendly competition.

Our sponsors’ and participants’ generosity resulted in a whopping $56,000 in contributions for the PAC, which will help fuel our advocacy work and ensure that lawmakers take notice and prioritize our state’s long-term care residents and the incredible individuals who care for them. If you want to keep supporting the PAC all year long, click here to learn more about you can be part of the WHCA-PAC For the Future campaign.

Thank you to all who supported the Bowl-a-Rama, especially our premium sponsors: Ballard Spahr, Emmett Healthcare, Merrill Gardens, and Regency Pacific Management.

Awards Luncheon

We were honored to recognize the recipients of the 2026 Excellence in Service Awards, as well as the achievements of WHCA members who excelled in advocacy this year and earned prestigious National Quality Awards. We were also grateful to recognize our supportive Associate Business partners who make events like this possible. Click here to meet this year’s award winners.

Finally, it was our privilege to present the WHCA Legacy Award to the Hyatt family for five generations of remarkable dedication to our sector. For decades, their commitment to building relationships and lifting up leaders has made a lasting impact on Washington’s long-term care community, and we are grateful for their warmth, compassion, and heartfelt service.

Thank you to McKesson for sponsoring the 2026 Excellence in Service Awards Luncheon.

2026 Convention Sponsors

Presenting and Diamond Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Additional Thanks To: