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!
