Jeudi

Martina Navratilova

by Erica Boni

The Quarter might be a bit more salt and pepper this weekend. The Crescent City edition of the annual AARP conference was originally scheduled to take place in New Orleans in 2005, but was forced to relocate after the federal flood. Now, some seven years later, our city will at last be host to the event, which is expected to attract up to 20,000 gracefully aging attendees.

The AARP, formerly the American Association of Retired Persons, is an N.G.O. and interest group for Americans over the age of 50. Services for its members include Medicare supplemental health insurance, discounts on prescription drugs, consumer goods, entertainment, travel packages and long term care insurance as well as automotive, home and life insurance.  Basically, all the stuff that people need in order to keep themselves healthy, stable and entertained after retirement. AARP claims to have approximately 38 million members making it one of the largest organizations and most powerful lobbying groups in the nation.

The expo, simply titled Life at 50 Plus, kicked off Thursday with volunteer effort involving over 2000 participants who will be paired with a variety of charitable organizations including Habitat for Humanity. Attendees will be rebuilding homes, aiding hurricane cleanup efforts and making care packages for families in need throughout the day.

The following morning at 10:45 President Barack Obama will deliver a speech via satellite followed by a live address given by Mitt Romney’s running mate, Paul Ryan at 11:30. Both speakers are expected to touch on issues concerning the changing shape of social security and available initiatives for people over 50 living in poverty throughout the Nation. Those with specific questions they want to hear addressed are encouraged to submit their queries here.

Obama and Ryan won’t be the only celebrities to make an appearance as the event is shaping up to be nothing short of star-studded. Over 80 sessions will be held throughout weekend on topics such as health and fitness, relationships, finances and care giving. Many of the discussions will be led by gracefully aging celebrities including tennis champion Martina Navratilova who will also be leading a fitness class and delivering a motivational speech. Celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse will salute to New Orleans post Katrina recovery effort alongside TV host Hoda Kotb. Gospel singer Shirly Caesar, football-star Dan Marino and political couple James Carville and Mary Matalin are expected to attend as well.  

Other highlights include a Friday red carpet walk with actor Billy Crystal for a screening of his latest film, “Parental Guidance” which will be followed up on Saturday by a discussion with actors Cicely Tyson, Ben Vereen and Levar Burtan. Additionally, a concert is scheduled for Saturday night headlining Stevie Nicks, Gladys Knight and Melissa Etheridge at the New Orleans arena. The rest of the conference will take place at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

Though online registration has already closed, on-site registration will remain open throughout the event.