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ESCANABA -- Seniors will have a unique opportunity on Tuesday, Sept. 26, to get expert advice on many of the issues that are important at this stage of their lives during the Eighth Annual Daily Press Senior Expo. The free event at the Terrace Bay Hotel includes speakers, lunch, and prizes, but seating is limited and tickets are going fast.
While there are many events for seniors in the community, the Daily Press Senior Expo got its start due to the frustrations that experts and seniors had with existing convention-style expos. Some seniors struggled with walking from booth to booth, and presenters felt there simply wasn't enough time to discuss all of the issues and concerns seniors might have.
"A lot of our advertisers were interested in some way that they could get up and speak in front of people to get their point across about whatever their line of business was," said Holly Statum, advertising representative for the Daily Press.
Speakers at this year's expo will discuss topics including changes to Medicare, funeral pre-planning, how to avoid scams that target seniors, and other issues that uniquely affect seniors. The event is structured as a series of short seminars, with each speaker discussing their topic for between 15 and 20 minutes. Most speakers include time for questions and answers in their presentation.
"Quite a few of the people that come … bring notebooks. They take notes while they're there, they ask questions; they share stories. We keep it a really light atmosphere," said Statum.
Doors open for the Senior Expo at 9 a.m. with the first speaker starting their presentation around 9:40 a.m. Prizes will be given out throughout the event, and $250 will be given to one lucky expo guest after the last speaker wraps up, around 2:30 p.m. Seniors must be present to win.
Four-hundred tickets have been printed for the free event, but due to the expo's popularity, tickets are going fast. Seniors interested in attending the expo can pick up tickets at the Daily Press office, located at 600 Ludington St. in Escanaba, while supplies last during regular business hours. The Daily Press office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For the past three years, tickets have been completely distributed prior to the Senior Expo. That is partially due to the number of seniors who come to the expo for the first time each year.
"We've started to get younger seniors that have parents that are at the age where they need to plan for them -- whether it's handling their insurance, or their medical needs, or even (funeral planning)," said Statum.
Regardless of where seniors are in their golden years, there are topics that will be relevant to them.
"There's so many things that people don't understand with their finances when you reach a certain age. Do you give it to your children, do you put it somewhere, what are your options?" said Daily Press Advertising Manager Terrie Belongie, who will be participating in the expo for the first time this year.
"I'm excited to attend my first year. I think it's a great program," she said.
While the expo itself is the premiere source of information, a special section will be included Saturday in the weekend edition of the Daily Press. The extra newspaper section will include articles on each company or group that is participating, introductions to topics that will be discussed at the expo, and articles on other issues facing seniors.
"Our special section too has wonderful articles that are great sources of information," said Statum.
Canned and dry goods will also be collected for local food banks during the Senior Expo. Anyone who is unable to attend the event but would still like to contribute may drop off their items at the Daily Press office during normal business hours.