Dr. Kevin Soden ‘Wows’ Prime Time Event Audience

Keynotes and Workshops ‘on Target’ with Fifty and Over Attendees

Dr. Kevin Soden 'wows' Prime Time EventMarch 20, 2009 – Attendees to aro’s “Living in Prime Time” event on Friday, October 17 say they went home encouraged, equipped, and inspired to make the second half of life their best yet.

Those who turned out at the Renaissance Charlotte SouthPark Hotel that Friday – most age 50 and over – came to invest in living better and smarter in their prime time years. And they say it was one of the best investments they could have made. Dr. Kevin Soden, former Medical Correspondent for NBC’s Today Show – and a Charlotte resident, struck a powerful chord with audiences, particularly during the lunch hour with his keynote presentation, “Laughing Your Way to a Better You.”

“I hadn’t had a good ‘belly’ laugh in a while,” commented Michael Thayer of Charlotte. “Soden’s presentation was really very funny and it drove home the message that our happiness is tied to our willingness to see the glass ‘half full’ and to be able to find the humor in our everyday experiences.”

Audiences for the Breakfast Keynote benefited from both a delightful breakfast and a rare opportunity to hear from Tim Takacs, a nationally recognized Elder Law Attorney. Takacs outlined “Ten Survival Tips for Boomers and Their Parents,” and shared from his array of personal stories and years of experience assisting those who are caring for elderly parents while raising families of their own.

Expert-led morning workshops followed. “We offered an top-notch line-up of speakers to cover topics that those fifty and over told us they wanted to learn more about,” comments aro President Chuck Robbins. Business and Life Coach Penny Sommer challenged members of her audience to consider – and pursue – their dream vocation. Christian Tours was also on hand to help attendees begin to envision a future that includes traveling the US – maybe even the globe.

Soden again drew a large audience for his afternoon workshop, “Less Stress in Life’s Transitions.” Also during the afternoon hours, a variety of additional workshops were offered, such as quick, healthful cooking with the Food Fairy Terry McClernon, an expert-led panel discussion on “My Home in Prime Time,” as well as a fun and informative workshop with Julie Hall, “The Estate Lady,” who shared tips on “Dealing with a Lifetime Accumulation of Your Parents’ Stuff.”

“This was a fantastic event for this target demographic,” says Soden. “There are so many years ahead for those of us in prime time. This was a truly appreciative audience, eager to learn, and loving the fact that there were experts available to talk about issues that relate to their lives going forward.”

Attorney’s joined Takaks and Nicole VanDiver Bryan in the afternoon for a training workshop. Takacs practices in Tennessee and Bryan, a former student of Takacs, practices in Cornelius, NC.

For aro President Chuck Robbins, “Living in Prime Time” brought closure to his own dream of preparing prime timers for the challenges, as well as the opportunities of this season of life.

“I knew people wanted to talk about ‘what’s next’ in their lives, but even I was taken aback by the truly enthusiastic response we received and the request for another such event next year. We have our sponsors to thank for making this happen.”

Event Sponsors included: The Estate and Elder Law Firm of Vandiver & Bryan, The Brian Center, Sunrise Senior Living, The Estate Lady, Hospice and Palliative Care – Charlotte Region, Alzheimer’s Association, Carriage Club of Charlotte, Caregiving Corner, LLC, and Andrea R Hutto RD, LDN, CDE.

To obtain DVDs of keynotes and/or workshops from “Living in Prime Time,” contact Domna at 704.839.3520 or 1-888.267.1297.

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