Senior Expo 2007

May 2007 Observer online article:

Loudoun Hosts 10th Annual Senior Expo

Loudoun County’s 10th annual Senior Expo clearly showed the expansion taking place in this fast growing county. Horsepower replaced the horses that once grazed nearby. The large parking lots at the Ashburn Community Church filled quickly, and shuttle buses brought more attendees to examine the wide array of resources displayed by nearly 100 vendors in the exhibit halls. Attendance at the May 10 expo, sponsored by the Loudoun Senior Interest Network, exceeded not only previous years, but also planners’ expectations, according to Expo Chairman Toni Reinhart of Comfort Keepers. “I’m just so grateful to all the volunteers and the hours they spent to make this a huge success,” she said.

County and state service agencies, businesses and residential facility developers at the expo reflected the interests and desires of the local senior population. Financial planners, wellness consultants and retirement coaches aimed for the high end of the market. The county’s departments of parks and recreation, as well as community services, offered not only inexpensive bus trips to area attractions, but also some very reasonable package trips to places such as Cape Cod and Nova Scotia. Retirement housing options ranged from independent living to continuing care and from affordable to luxurious. Coldwell Banker’s booth received extra attention not just for its Senior Advantage program, but also for its supersized shopping bags in which attendees could tote home all the booklets, brochures and popular giveaways from exhibitors.

Also popular at the expo were de-cluttering and downsizing professionals with company names such as Just in Time and Busy Buddies. There were also personal assistants and concierge services, which promoted their availability to those who need an “Extra You,” as one such service is called. Health services also were well represented at the expo, and exhibitors included the Inova Loudoun Hospital Mobile Lab, which offered wellness screenings, and Human Bionics LLC of Purcellville.

One especially popular attraction was “Bruce the Segway Man” from TriState Segway in Leesburg. TriState Segway provided test glides on the personal transporter, and representatives said later that most people who tried the Segway liked it. That seemed to be true for the whole expo with its impressive array of useful information, live entertainment, free refreshments and outstanding door prizes, especially a round trip ticket to anywhere in the continental United States on United Airlines.