AARP Set to Take Over Downtown Los Angeles 9/22-24

AARP today announced that the Los Angeles Convention Center will host the Association's annual National Event & Expo this fall. Taking place from September 22nd - 24th Life@50+ focuses on the 50+ audience with entertainment, celebrities, experts and exhibits, bringing some of today's most renowned faces and companies directly to AARP's members.

"Life@50+ is designed to showcase the best of how people are redefining life after 50. It is a great way for members of the 50+ community to come together, thousands of people at a time, to enjoy first-class entertainment, share experiences with their peers and take advantage of lifelong learning opportunities," said A. Barry Rand, CEO, AARP. "People look to us as a trusted source of information and a guide to help them live their best lives. This event is just another way for us to do this on a more personal level, while having fun."

In addition to four concerts featuring Grammy Award-winning artists, attendees will also experience lifestyle and education sessions led by celebrities and subject experts; fitness classes, hands on technology classes, the Movies for Grownups film festival highlighting first run feature films, cultural events, health screenings, cooking demonstrations by award winning chefs and music classes which will culminate in an effort to break a world record for an ensemble. The three days will kick off with Carol Burnett in conversation with Tim Conway at the opening show on Sept. 22nd. Fashion expert Tim Gunn from Project Runway; acclaimed actor and director Spike Lee; actor B.D. Wong of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit fame; author Sandra Cisneros; and TV personalities and AARP Ambassadors Leeza Gibbons, James "JB" Brown, and Chris Gardner are also among those confirmed to appear at Life@50+. Attendees will also have the chance to take part in morning fitness classes led by tennis legend Martina Navratilova or work-out guru Richard Simmons. A complete lineup of those participating in the event is available at http://www.aarp.org/about-aarp/events/national_event/speakers/.

Each night of the event offers entertainment options for all. For those looking to get the party started early, AARP will host an exclusive pre-event food and wine festival for registered attendees on September 21st at the Los Angeles Center Studios movie lot. For an additional cost, attendees of the "Great AARP Meet and Greet" will have the chance to enjoy an evening celebrating California's food, wine and lifestyle. The Spanish Harlem Orchestra and the Soul Rebels will perform as people enjoy cuisine from some of L.A.'s most renowned food trucks, in addition to sampling an array of California wines at an on-site Wine Garden. Thursday night's concert at the Nokia Theater will feature Grammy Award-winners Lionel Richie, Patti Austin and Ramsey Lewis. Thousands are expected to gather Friday evening on the plaza at L.A. Live for entertainment by Jon Secada, The Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band and the legendary Eddie Floyd, plus, a car show featuring classic California rides, an ice cream social and much more! In addition, attendees have the option to purchase tickets to a one-night-only concert extravaganza at the Staples Center. In honor of his 85th birthday and to benefit AARP's Drive to End Hunger initiative, music icon Tony Bennett will be joined by friends to sing duets off his latest CD, Duets II, along with some of his classic hits.

In addition to great talent, informational sessions and entertainment, Life@50+ will feature an exhibit hall covering nearly 350,000 square feet (more than 6.5 football fields in size!) with over 300 exhibitors offering valuable information and various products and services, including new and future technologies, appliances, travel and leisure destinations-all targeting the 50+ demographic. AARP is pleased to welcome back UnitedHealth Group and Walgreens as Platinum sponsors for the 2011 Life@50+ event. Additional sponsors include Dell, Allstate, Amtrak, Foremost, NAMM, Genworth Financial, Concord Music Group, New York Life Insurance Co., and The Hartford.

AARP's National Event and Expo has grown each year since its format changed in 2001 from a delegate convention to a member facing experience. The attendance has grown from 5,000 in 2001 (Dallas) to over 25,000 in 2010 (Orlando). The Exhibit Hall has nearly doubled from 175 exhibits to more than 300 today.

Registration
Admission to Life@50+ for AARP members is $25, $35 for non-members. The entry fee includes access to the Exhibit Floor, Exhibit Floor Performance Stage, the opening show, and educational sessions for all three days. Non-Member registration includes a 1 year membership to AARP. Saturday, September 24th, the Exhibit Hall will be open to all at no fee. AARP is making a special effort to engage the local communities with free shuttle service from selected community centers and other organizations to the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Tickets for the concerts and evening activities are an additional fee and start at $25. Space is limited for all additional activities and online registration is open now at www.aarp.org/events or via phone at 1-800-883-2784.
Additional information on Life@50+, as well as the complete schedule, can be found online at www.aarp.org/events.

 

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