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About SCEMSA 2025 Leadership Conference

The SCEMSA Leadership Conference brings together EMS professionals from across South Carolina to explore critical topics in leadership, management, and organizational development. Designed for current and emerging leaders, this annual event offers insightful sessions led by industry experts, valuable networking opportunities, and strategies to strengthen leadership at every level of EMS.

Whether you're leading a crew, managing a department, or shaping the future of EMS, the 2025 Leadership Conference delivers relevant, actionable content to help you lead with purpose and impact. Download the brochure here.

REGISTER HERE FOR THE 2025 SCEMSA LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

Conference Rates

(After August 22, 2025, all registration prices increase by $50)

$200 – SCEMSA Member

$250 after August 22, 2025

$300 – Nonmember

$350 after August 22, 2025

Important Registration Details

Member Discounts: SCEMSA members must log in to the registration portal to access the discounted rate.
Payment Deadline: All payments must be received by September 19, 2025, to secure your registration.

Conference Deadlines

Early Registration Deadline: August 22, 2025

A $50 late fee applies after this date

Cancellation Deadline: August 22, 2025
- Cancellations received by this date will be refunded, minus a $50 administrative fee. No refunds will be issued after this date

Accommodations

A room block is available at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Greenville Golf Resort & Conference Center for attendees of the 2025 SCEMSA Leadership Conference, taking place September 24–26, 2025.

Reserve your stay by Wednesday, August 27, 2025, to receive the special group rate and enjoy complimentary parking.

➤ Visit www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/scemsa-leadership-conf-2025/

or

➤ Call 1-800-EMBASSY and request the 2025 SCEMSA special room rate.

Schedule

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Meeting Location

Embassy Suites by Hilton Greenville Golf Resort & Conference Center

670 Verdae Blvd Greenville, South Carolina 29607

Learn more about the location here.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Cancellations received in writing by email before August 22, 2025 will receive a refund less a $50 administrative fee.

Questions?

If you have questions about attendee registration, please contact Kelly Watson, kelly.watson@scemsa.org.

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If you have questions about vendor information, please contact Mary Napier, Mary.napier@scemsa.org.

Wednesday, September 24, 2025

Time	Session
1030 – 1230	Registration Open
Description:
1230 – 1245	Welcome and Announcements
Description:
1245 – 1345	What Got Us Here Won't Get Us There Speaker: Macara Trusty
Description: This session explores the shifting leadership landscape in Emergency Medical Services (EMS), focusing on the growing disconnect between employer expectations and employee realities. As the job market transitions from an “employer’s market” to an “employee’s market,” the need for adaptive, forward-thinking leadership becomes clear. The presentation emphasizes how modern leadership strategies—and investment in leadership development—can drive employee engagement and improve retention in an increasingly competitive and dynamic EMS environment.
1345 – 1430	Exhibit Hall Opens
Description: Join us in the exhibit hall to explore vendor showcases and connect with industry partners.
1430 – 1530	Advocacy, A Must Have in EMS Speaker: Chris Way
Description: Advocacy at the local, state and federal level is becoming more important to the EMS profession every day. Chief Way will discuss various strategies for EMS leaders to get involved in Advocating for emergency services. He will use local, state and federal examples to demonstrate the importance of advocacy including successful and unsuccessful campaigns and the effects that each had. Finally, he will provide tools for local EMS leaders to get involved in advocacy for EMS.
1530 – 1600	Break – Visit Vendors
Description: Take time to recharge and explore the exhibit hall. Vendors are available to answer questions and share resources.
1600 – 1700	How to Accomplish Difficult Change and Stay Resilient Speaker: Charles Blankenship
Description: Change is challenging—for our patients, our teams, and ourselves. As EMS leaders, we promote healthy habits and workplace improvements, but do we truly address the barriers to success? This session explores the real-world difficulties of implementing change, drawing from patient cases and leadership insights. Attendees will gain practical strategies to overcome resistance, support transformation, and lead lasting impact in their departments and communities.
1700 – 1900	Welcome Reception
Description: Enjoy refreshments and network with fellow attendees during our welcome reception.

Thursday, September 25, 2025

Time	Session
0830 – 0900	Registration (Light Breakfast Available)
Description: Check in for the day and enjoy light breakfast items as you connect with colleagues and explore the exhibit area.
0900 – 1000	Whoa Is Me, Combating Apathy in the Ranks Speaker: Chris Way
Description: Discuss the challenges of combating mental fatigue and apathy in an emergency service organization at all ranks. While we have done more than ever with recruitment, we have not kept pace with ensuring our existing employees (our most valuable resource) are well and well taken care of. This discussion will give examples, good and bad, of what can happen and provide strategies to assist your agency in overcoming apathy and mental fatigue.
1000 – 1030	Break - Visit Exhibit Hall
Description: Take a short break and connect with vendors in the exhibit hall.
1030 – 1130	Stay & Sway: Harnessing the Power of Stay Interviews Speaker: Macara Trusty
Description: As EMS employers nationwide adapt to an evolving workforce, retention becomes as pivotal as recruitment. While exit and engagement surveys shed light on past experiences, the key to unlocking real-time employee motivation is understanding why they choose to STAY. Dive into insights from over 2,400 stay interviews within a leading EMS agency and discover how to harness this transformative approach for enhanced retention in your organization.
1130 – 1230	Lunch & Visit Exhibit Hall
Description: Lunch is provided. Use this time to explore the exhibit hall and connect with vendors.
1230 – 1330	Succession Planning in EMS Organizations: Identifying, Developing, and Elevating the Next Generation of Leaders Speaker: Dan Batsie
Description: Too often EMS leaders are selected and promoted with little forethought or specific training. The assumption that a good EMS provider will be a good manager often leads to disastrous results. This class will discuss evidence-based steps organizations can take to identify and develop new leaders. Topics include validated leadership traits, coaching and mentoring, and best practice promotional processes.
1330 – 1400	Break - Visit Exhibit Hall
Description: Take time to recharge and explore the exhibit hall before the afternoon sessions.
1400 – 1500	Neutralizing Toxic Terrorists & Influencing a Positive Culture Speaker: Macara Trusty
Description: We've all encountered those employees who quietly undermine workplace culture—individuals who are negative, passive-aggressive, and disengaged, yet manage to stay just within the lines of policy compliance. Their presence can erode morale and make accountability difficult. This session will equip attendees with strategies to address these challenges by implementing effective behavioral improvement plans, delivering balanced feedback, and using positive reinforcement to shift disruptive behaviors into meaningful, productive contributions.
1500 – 1530	Break - Visit Exhibit Hall - Last Chance
Description: Last opportunity to explore the exhibit hall and engage with vendors before it closes.
1530-1630	Don’t Skip the Hard Conversations Speaker: Becky Drozdz
Description: In a time when EMS is struggling to attract and retain great talent, we tend to shy away from holding others accountable. We are afraid they will quit, but when we let the small bad behaviors go without addressing them, they grow. Instead, we can and should be using performance management to increase retention and develop great employees.

Friday, September 26, 2025

Time	Session
0830 – 0900	Breakfast
Description: Start your Friday with breakfast and networking before sessions begin.
0900 – 1000	Don’t Put Your Foot in Your Mouth: Case Studies in Leadership Communication Errors Speaker: Dan Batsie
Description: Good communication skills are a necessary attribute for any public safety leader. But despite the best of intentions, many leaders create significant problems by communicating improperly. This class will examine four leadership case studies where communication became the issue behind severe organizational challenges. Real world examples will discuss common human resource issues including equity challenges, Americans with Disabilities Act compliance, leadership liability, and general organizational morale. While this class is not intended to offer legal advice, each example will describe actual legal consequences associated with poor communication by leaders.
1000 – 1015	Break
Description: Quick break to recharge between sessions.
1015 – 1115	Purpose Driven Career Speaker: Michael Clegg
Description: Through an innovative framework called Leadership Squared, you will discover new forward-thinking approaches to cultivating deeper relationships and connections. You will meet them at their needs, creating a dynamic performance, growth, and retention culture. Leaders' #1 responsibility is to develop others. They can only do that by having deeper connections with trust and psychological safety.
1115 – 1130	Break
Description: Final break before closing session.
1130 – 1230	Won’t You Be My Neighbor: The Vital Nature of Building Community in EMS Speaker: Dan Batsie
Description: Did you make friends in your original EMS class? Are they still your friends today? Statistically speaking, the answer to both questions is likely “yes” and if so, you have had a significant advantage over those who did not. Learning, resilience, retention, and even mental wellbeing are all directly correlated to the ability to make connections and build networks within an organization. As EMS leaders and influencers, we all play a significant role in how new initiates are welcomed and how they find the bonds of community so necessary for success. This class will discuss how community translates to both individual and organizational success and describe real-world practices each of us can take to maximize the influence of community in the world of EMS.

Terms & Conditions

By registering for the South Carolina EMS Association (SCEMSA) 2025 Leadership Conference, you acknowledge and agree to the following terms:

Registration and Payment

All registrations must be completed and paid in full by the deadlines provided. Payments are non-refundable unless explicitly stated. On-site registration, if available, must be paid in full at the time of registration.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be received by August 22, 2025, to be eligible for a refund, minus a $50 administrative fee. No refunds will be issued after this date.

Code of Conduct

Professional conduct is expected at all conference functions. SCEMSA reserves the right to remove any individual whose behavior is disruptive or inappropriate.

Liability Waiver

SCEMSA is not liable for any personal injury, loss, or damage to personal property incurred during the event. Attendance and participation are at your own risk.

Event Modifications

SCEMSA reserves the right to adjust the conference schedule, venue, or speakers without prior notice. Attendees will be notified of any substantial changes as appropriate.

Photography and Media Release

By attending, you grant SCEMSA permission to photograph, record, and use your image or likeness in promotional materials, including print, digital platforms, and social media. If you prefer not to be photographed or recorded, you must inform event staff in writing prior to the event.

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SC EMS Association
PO Box 360
Winnsboro, SC 29180

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