Gerontological Society of America Convenes in New Orleans

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 17, 2010

Gerontological Society of America Convenes in New Orleans
November 19-23
In the Essence of Celebrating Thanksgiving, Gerontologists work with the St. Bernard Project on
Tuesday, November 23 as part of their “Gerontologists Giving Back Service Event”

WHAT: Gerontological Society of America (GSA) 63^rd Annual Scientific Meeting

WHERE: Hilton New Orleans Riverside

WHEN: November 19-23, 2010

DETAILS: GSA’s 63^rd Annual Scientific Meeting, the largest interdisciplinary conference in the field of aging, will take place in New Orleans November 19-23 at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside. The Annual Scientific Meeting is the premier gathering of gerontologists from around the world. The theme for this year’s meeting is “Transitions of Care Across the Aging Continuum,” and 3,500 professionals are expected to attend the five-day gathering, which includes 500 scientific sessions featuring research presented for the first time, and 100 exhibitors from different organizations.

Aging policy expert Robert B. Blancato, MPA, will open the plenary session on November 20 as the keynote speaker. Blancato was appointed by former President Bill Clinton as the executive director of the White House Conference on Aging in 1995, and later spearheaded the successful efforts to pass the Elder Justice Act, which President Barack Obama signed into law in 2010.

GSA is the nation’s largest and oldest interdisciplinary organization devoted to education, research and practice in the field of aging. The principal mission of the Society — and its 5,200+ members — is to advance the study of aging and disseminate information among scientists, decision makers and the general public. GSA’s structure also includes a policy institute, the National Academy on an Aging Society, and an educational branch, the Association for Gerontology on Higher Education.

WEBSITE: www.geron.org/Annual%20Meeting

MAJOR EVENTS (All events held at Hilton Riverside, unless otherwise noted):

• Sat, Nov. 20, 10-11:30 a.m.: Opening Plenary Session featuring Aging policy expert Robert B. Blancato, MPA, Grand Ballrooms A-D
• Sat, Nov. 20, 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.: Luncheon Press Briefing/Call-In: Social Security Issues Update. Toll-free call-in: 888-299-4099 (U.S.), Verbal passcode: VK80002

As Social Security becomes front page news, a panel of experts has been assembled to talk about some of the myths and realities related to the current discussions. Offsite reporters will be able to listen in by phone and ask questions. Speakers include John Rother, JD, executive vice president of policy, strategy, and international affairs for AARP; and Eric R. Kingson, PhD, MPA, senior research associate at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School Center for Policy Research, and co-director, Social Security Works. Marlborough A

• Mon, Nov. 22, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.: Business Forum: Aging Means Business, featuring keynote speaker Laurie Orlov, the founder of Aging in Place Technology Watch, Riverside Room (Riverside Building)
• Mon, Nov. 22, 9:15-10:15 a.m.: Breakfast Press Q&A Session: Congressional Aging Issues Update where press attendees will have exclusive access to staffers from the Senate Special Committee on Aging for an off-the-record exploration of aging issues as seen from Capitol Hill. Speakers include Cara Goldstein, senior policy advisor; Ashley Carson, senior policy counsel; Anne Montgomery, senior policy advisor; Alicia Hennie, senior policy advisor; and Hunter Bethea, policy advisor
• Tues, Nov. 23, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.: “Gerontologists Giving Back Service Event”-25 volunteers work with the St. Bernard Project (SBP), St. Bernard Parish, Address TBD

EXHIBIT HALL: Hilton Exhibition Center, 2^nd Floor
HOURS:
Fri, Nov. 19: 6:30-8 p.m.
Sat, Nov. 20-Mon, Nov. 22: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

PRESS OFFICE: Marlborough Room B, 2^nd Floor
HOURS:
Fri, Nov. 19: 2-5 p.m.
Sat, Nov. 20-Mon, Nov. 22: 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
GSA: Todd Kluss, 202-587-2839, tkluss@geron.org
New Orleans CVB: Tara Letort, 504-566-5019, tletort@neworleanscvb.com; Jennifer Day, 773-909-2514, jday@neworleanscvb.com; Kelly Schulz, 504-421-0962, kschulz@neworleanscvb.com

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