Seniors descend on Orlando

Whoopi Goldberg, Gladys Knight, Larry King and B.B. King are just a few of the celebrities attending Orlando@50+ next week.

Held at Orange County Convention Center Thursday, Sept. 30 through Saturday, Oct. 2, the national event will bring more than just entertainment — It’s projected to have a $30 million impact on Central Florida’s economy.

The event is estimated to attract 250,000 people from all over the country to take part in an expo floor featuring more than 350 products and services geared toward a 50+ audience, as well as advice from experts speaking on various topics ranging from health and fitness to relationships.

There will also be social networking, financial planning and health care sessions, with nightly concerts and entertainment from numerous celebrities, including actor Whoopi Goldberg, who will interview talk show host Larry King.

“It is a three-day opportunity to really engage with AARP in an environment that is packed with learning experiences,” Vice President of AARP Events CB Wismar said.

For a good cause

AARP will also be working with the Winter Park Health Foundation for a food drive for older adults in need.

“This year, they chose us to highlight the work that we do and raise the communities’ awareness of the funds that we provide to the community at large,” said Winter Park Health Foundation Program Director Diana Silvey.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida will distribute non-perishable grocery items brought to the event with an emphasis on senior hunger.

The food drive is just one way the event is involving the community. It will also present Music in Motion, a dance group from the Villages, as well as actively involving 2,000 volunteers.

Maitland resident Roberta Lyon has been an AARP member for 15 years now, and decided to volunteer for what she calls a “top-shelf event”.

“It’s a great way to help my community,” Lyon said. “And I’m really excited about the revenue it will bring into the city.”

The AARP’s Orlando@50+ is not only a convention that hopes to stimulate Orlando, but hopes to bring people together and make a lasting impact on the community for years to come.

“We want to stay in town,” Wismar said. “We want to be part of the community and give something that has an impact on us and the community and are able to show being in Orlando made a difference.”

Learn more

AARP’s Orlando@50+ will be held Sept. 30-Oct. 2 at the Orange County Convention Center. Tickets are $25 for AARP members, $35 for nonmembers. Concert tickets are extra and start at $25. To view the event schedule or to register, visit www.aarp.org/events or call 1-800-883-2784. On Facebook, search the AARP National Event & Expo page.