Show Me Summit on Aging & Health 2025 – Aging in a New Era
September 8 – 10, 2025 | Wyndham Executive Center, 2200 Interstate 70 Drive SW, Columbia, MO
ma4 celebrated our 20th year of convening professionals, leaders, volunteers, decision-makers, and advocates in the field of aging services for the Show Me Summit on Aging & Health.
Beautiful weather in charming Columbia, MO, greeted hundreds of attendees, presenters, exhibitors, sponsors, and advocates for this uplifting event. e latest knowledge and tools. With 36 breakout sessions and 50 presenters, attendees engaged in sessions on advocacy, caregiving, nutrition, assistive technology, senior centers, and trauma-informed self-care.
Stay tuned for info on our 2026 Show Me Summit on Aging & Health – dates/locations to be announced 🙂
As Missouri’s Senior Advocated, Lt. Governor David Wasinger introduced himself to the ma4 audience and shared his vision for Missouri as a great place for all to age well, with dignity and security.
Amy Gotwals, Chief of Public Policy and External Affairs for USAging, ignited the audience with updates about aging policy at the federal level. Amy encouraged actively raising voices to support the needs of aging Americans, especially through support of the federal Older Americans Act.
Tim Van Zandt, Deputy Director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, encouraged attendees to share feedback on Missouri’s Master Plan on Aging. Tim highlighted the need to support Missouri’s caregivers, many who are still working and often caregiving for children as well as their aging loved ones.
Mindy Ulstad, Chief of the Bureau of Senior Programs for Missouri’s’ Department of Health and Senior Services, shared highlights from the draft Master Plan on Aging, which will be presented to Governor Kehoe by December 31, 2025.
Our North Star! Panelists shared uplifting experiences and reminded all to keep our purpose and mission front and center. Jennifer Shotwell, Region X AAA, shared that each one of our clients is a special and unique person – and a Point of Light; if we put these lights together, we would be blinded! Anneliese Stoever, St. Louis AAA, shared the heroic response to the community impacted by the devastating May 16th tornado. “In times of stress, we stand up. We rise. And we serve. And Jeff Barge and Laura Mize shared their successful Silver Prom at the Excelsior Springs Senior Center. High school seniors were engaged to plan and coordinate the event, and the prom was so rewarding for the seniors as well as the planners! This Magic Moment.
