PERs, Mickey Mouse and sharks? Heading to Orlando to cover Affiliated Monitoring's Catalyst 2019

As the Jaws warning theme song plays in my head, along with the 'Baby Shark' song that became an internet sensation, patterns of “do-do-da-do” fill my head as I anticipate the first-ever Affiliated Monitoring Shark Tank at Catalyst 2019. I'm excited to be heading out to sunny Orlando's Four Seasons at Walt Disney World Resort to get a first-hand look at the PERs/mPERs niche of the security industry. This is Affiliated's 4th Catalyst Conference and I feel congratulations are in order, so on behalf of the SSN team, “Congratulations Affiliated Monitoring!”

As of February 28, 2019, at noon, via email, I got word that teams from over 70 companies were registered to attend this event. This is a marvelous turn out all on its own, but the final attendee count is yet to be determined since the event doesn't even start until today! Soon, golfers will be yelling “four” as they swing their carefully chosen clubs at Tranquilo Golf Course on the Four Seasons Resort to determine who reigns supreme on the course in best ball with additional challenges for longest drive and closest to the pin. Afterwards tips for free and almost free tools, tricks and marketing strategies to grow a PERs business will be presented with a welcome cocktail reception closely following at the Four Seasons' Pool Bar & Grill all on Wednesday, May 8th.

Then, bright and early on Thursday, May 9th, the live action will start on my Twitter feed @SSN_Ginger, and continue on until the end of the conference, sharing the highlights of each day. Thursday will be a PERs-related montage of Daniel Oppenheim of Affiliated Monitoring delivering the day's keynote: a view of the demographic changes driving the growth in the PERs industry along with PERs-specific trends; presentations; sessions; and networking intermingled with coffee and food.

Of course, on Friday, May 10th, there will be coffee and food, but more important, taking the stage is Executive Keynote Speaker and President, Healthcare Division at Connect America, Richard Brooks, an industry icon with story after story of priceless knowledge about leading and growing multiple PERs and telehealth businesses. Attendees will gain insights to take their PERs business to next level by learning the top things no one ever tells about when scaling a PERs company. Attendees are then invited to “swim” on over to the Shark Tank where innovators will come face-to-face with the Sharks, industry veterans who will listen to contestants' pitches and decide if they are interested!

Innovators include the brave:

• Jean Anne Booth, CEO, UnaliWear
• Steve, Chazin, VP, product, Alarm.com
• Mara Perlmutter, founder & CEO, TrelaWear.

Sharks include the blood-hungry:

• Geoff Gross, president, Medical Guardian
• Rob Flippi, CEO, MobileHelp
• Sindee Shaulinski, general manager, medical monitoring, Doyle Security Systems.

I personally can't wait to see (and Tweet about) what goes on in THIS tank!

The day, and Catalyst 2019, will conclude with Brainstorming Roundtables with voted-on topics to include:

• Growing Your Connected Health Portfolio
• Managing the 4G Transition
• Payor Sources: Medicare, Medicaid & Beyond
• Secrets of Reducing Customer Churn

This year's Catalyst seems to be full of learning and building relationships while taking time to have fun. Here are some tips to get the most out of Catalyst 2019:

1. Follow me on Twitter @SSN_Ginger to keep up with live highlights of Catalyst 2019.
2. Bring a notepad and writing utensil to take notes of the amazing knowledge your will learn.
3. Before Friday, May 10th review the Brainstorming Roundtable topics and create questions to ask during each. Write them down in your notebook and leave space below each one for the answer to keep your notes organized.
4. If you're escaping to Epcot for the scavenger hunt, casual or athletic clothes are recommended. Sneakers are REQUIRED by Disney; NO open toed shoes allowed.
5. Download the official Catalyst App to stay connected at the conference.