Aging American baby boomers to gather in Vegas

(Christophe Testi)

Over 50 years old is the only requirement for membership to attend the 2009 AARP Presents Vegas@50+, an annual "National Event & Expo" on October 22-24 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

AARP, an NGO (non-governmental organization), formerly known as the American Association for Retired Persons, no longer requires retirement and offers financial, health and educational services for its 40 million members.

Geared for the growing population of aging "baby boomers," these three days and nights of celebrity speakers, informative panels, exhibitors, concerts, and more cover topics from lifestyle and healthcare, from fitness to finances, as well as sexuality, midlife dating, and careers.

The event kicks off its musical performances with Gloria Estefan and closes with Faith Hill. Other entertainment by The Duke Ellington Orchestra, Tito Puente, Jr., and Kool & the Gang, an indication of the broad range of members.

The schedule includes fitness sessions with tennis player Martina Navratilova and basketball's Magic Johnson. There are Lifestyle and University workshops, motivational speakers and bestselling authors, such as Gail Sheehy (Passages), addressing the attendees on an assorted range of topics including memory and brain function.

Special events feature an assortment of actors including Penny Marshall, Jane Seymour, and George Takei (Star Trek) and "Movies for Grown-ups," such as Mamma Mia!

"The Evolution of Television" is a session with pioneering producer, Norman Lear (creator of All In the Family and Princess Bride), who will also receive and lifetime achievement at a gala awards presentation. Poet Maya Angelou will also address the group.

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