The 27th Semi-annual Jacksonville Senior Expo is set to take place May 17 and 18 at the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center in Jacksonville.
The convention center is located at 1000 Water Street in downtown Jacksonville and is free to the public with admission and parking offered at no cost, which is an important aspect and one that Expo Management president Bill Anderson is proud of.
Expo Management partners with the City of Jacksonville to put on the event, which will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days.
“It’s the second largest senior expo in the state of Florida,” Anderson said. “We’ll have more than 5,000 people attend over the two days.”
There will be 85 vendors in the convention center, varying from an array of topics but each pertaining to senior citizens.
The vendor content will range from investment opportunities to travel and retirement options, as well as health and fitness tips and ideas. Health testing and screenings will also be available.
“It’s good outreach and marketing for our vendors and great information for our attendees,” Anderson said. “It’s a win-win for all sides involved.”
According to Anderson, the expo is much more than just a room full of vendors and seminars but is two days of constant entertainment and activities on top of it, including hourly drawings and door prizes awarded.
“There will be all sorts of goodies handed out and a variety of musical acts,” Anderson said. “It’s an educational and entertainment forum.”
Part of the unique tradition of the event is that the Senior Expo is held twice a year in town with a spring event in May and a fall event in November.
However, there is a change taking place this year, as in the past both expos were held at the convention center, but this year the fall showcase will be at the University of North Florida.
Having the expos in different venues as opposed to both at the convention center is something that Anderson believes has the potential to become the new approach moving forward, because it allows for senior citizens who live in other parts of town to have the ability to attend whichever one is more convenient for them.
“It’s all about helping to get the word out of the options that are out there for those in the area,” Anderson said.
The fall expo is scheduled for Nov. 28 and 29.
