WEDNESDAY 3 NOVEMBER - America awakes to LEADING AGE

America awakes to a significantly changed political landscape this morning as voters give President Obama and the Democrat Party a kicking. Republicans have made substantial gains in Congress and in the Governor elections across the Country. The news on the TV shows is about a move to the right across the country and a desire for a return to core values, and a grass roots rejection of "big government".

Here at the LA Convention Center the great US Aging Services Conference moves towards it's conclusion. As it started it was billed as the AAHSA Conference, as it ends it does so under a new name. From now on the organisation will be known by it's new name of LEADING AGE.



The conference is an end to end massive information and education experience with hundreds of different sessions and events. It is impossible for a delegate to take them all in and it is important to be selective. The exhibition is vast with hundreds of exhibits.



Highlights at this year's exhibition have been the Idea House, featuring latest design and technology products, a special section on gardens for older people and a Social Media Lab where students from the University of Southern California assist delegate with tutorials on how to use TWITTER, FACEBOOK, LINKED IN and other new media systems to advance their business needs and bring benefits to older people and their families. I took a class in TWITTER from Cindy, a very helpful student who helped me get with the system and log on. I hope to be a regular TWIT from now on. Thanks Cindy.



Alongside the conference there are a host of receptions and fringe events taking place. The bars and restaurants of the LA Live area at the heart of Convention City are alive with music, conversation and the sounds of networking in progress. Together with IAHSA Board colleagues on Sunday we hosted a reception for IAHSA members and supporters. On Monday evening I joined thousands in the Convention Hall for an evening of Comedy Through The Ages featuring US Household name entertainers John Pinette, Vicki Lawrence and the veteran comedian Bob Newhart. On Tuesday evening parties were in full swing hosted by industry supporters. I was able to enjoy the spectacular party hosted by key IAHSA supporter SODEXO, before a most enjoyable final dinner with friends from Australia and the UK.

The grand finale of the conference was a brilliant performance by Britain's greatest ageing export The ZIMMERS. They had the 7,000 delegates rocking in the aisles with their renditions of "We will, we will rock you", "Fight for the right - to party!" and "We did it OUR way!". This was a truly inspiring way to send delegates away with the powerful message that older people have plenty to contribute and are not to be ignored. If you haven't heard them catch them on UTube. Inspirational and moving. Well done the Brits!



There has been much to experience and learn at this great event in tinseltown. Too much to report in detail here. One very strong message though, that is worthy of special mention, was a powerful presentation by Roger Markowski, Country Director for HelpAge International in Haiti. The conditions in that country 9 months after the devastating earthquake remain desperate for many thousands of people still living in makeshift camps. Amongst them are thousands of older people who HelpAge International is struggling to reach and to support. They need our help.

The message Roger sends represents a call to action for IAHSA and LEADING AGE members. How can we work to reach beyond the limits of our own operations, states and countries to support the development of ageing services across borders and in countries that do not enjoy the privileges of developed societies. There is a world of need out the that we need to reach out to, and I hope this will increasingly be a feature of IAHSA activity as we move ahead.

Thanks LEADING AGE, for a great conference. We now look ahead to the even greater combined LEADING AGE/IAHSA Conference in Washington DC 16 to 19 October 2011. MARK YOUR DIARIES NOW AND PLAN YOUR TRIP!

Location:LA Convention Center, Los Angeles, California, USA