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.
As Missouri’s Senior Advocate, 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.
Energy Boost: Teresa Etters, Care Connection for Aging Services, revitalized the group after lunch with Chair One Fitness!
2024 SHOW ME SUMMIT ON AGING & HEALTH
The Age of Opportunity | September 9 – 11, 2024 |Springfield, MO
The 19th annual Show Me Summit on Aging & Health, held in Springfield, Missouri, drew a record-breaking crowd of attendees eager to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the state’s aging population. This three-day event, one of the largest in the summit’s history, focused on the theme “The Age of Opportunity.”
Nearly 350 attendees, 65 presenters, and 50+ vendors and sponsors gathered to celebrate the historic potential for positive change in Missouri. Together, they explored ways to create a state where everyone can age well.
ma4 Leadership. L to R: Lisa Knoll, Aging Ahead; Anneliese Stoever, St. Louis AAA; Wendy Martin, Care Connection; Penney Humphrey, Young at Heart; Lana Johnson, Aging Matters; Sandy Markwood, USAging; Kristi Bohling-DaMetz, MARC; Rebecca Nowlin, Aging Best; Debbie Blessing, NEMO; Julie Peetz, ma4; Jennifer Shotwell, Region X AAA
Dr. Jeremy Holloway, from the University of North Dakota, delivered a powerful keynote address on Cross-Cultural Communication. Dr. Holloway captivated the audience with an inspiring message of “assuming a bias of hope.”
Sandy Markwood, CEO of USAging, offered a visionary perspective on aging in Missouri. She highlighted the state’s potential for growth and innovation in senior care and emphasized the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.
Melanie Highland, Director of Missouri’s Division of Senior and Disability Services, shared updates on the state’s historic Master Plan on Aging and discussed opportunities for growth and innovation in services for Missourians who are aging and those with disabilities.
Expert speakers addressed a wide range of topics, including elder abuse, long-term care, data, technology, nutrition, senior centers, leadership, and advocacy. The summit provided a platform for networking, collaboration, and strengthening community through innovative, data-driven, and person-centered solutions.
L to R: Sponsor John Byer, Cumulus; Keynote Sandy Markwood; Keynote Dr. Jeremy Holloway
Thank You Sandy Markwood, CEO USAging
Audience Feedback:
- Sandy is so engaging and always shared upbeat, positive, and dynamic information!
- Sandy always comes with something you can grab a hold of and digest. She breaks the facts down into smaller morsels that can be understood and acted on.
- Sandy is so positive and motivating.
- I appreciate her sharing insights from a national perspective and how that impacts us here in Missouri.
- Inspirational!
- Loved her!
Thank You Dr. Jeremy Holloway, University of North Dakota
Audience Feedback:
- Such positive energy to start off conference!
- Dr. Holloway was very personable and you could tell that he has a passion for what he was talking about.
- Informative, entertaining, and thought-provoking!
- Probably the only DEI presentation I’ve ever attended that I actually enjoyed. It represented DEI for everyone and not just a select group chosen by the presenter. Well done!
- I really enjoyed his engaging, humorous approach.
- Jeremy was a great presenter. Got me excited about the summit and especially about the things we can do moving forward here in Missouri!
- My whole team agreed this is the best keynote we’ve heard!
