A New Era of Age-Inclusive Tourism

This presentation explores the heart of ageless tourism, where the essence of active aging confronts the shadows of ageism. Looking through the lens of the 60+ business and leisure travelers, we see the nexus of health, self-empowerment, inclusive design, and enhanced life purpose.

Attendees will discover:

• Opportunities for business building through attracting, retaining, and serving the new 60+ business and leisure.
• Best Staff practices and training through the lens of mature travelers
• A checklist of marketing images and tools for inclusive and non-ageist outreach.
• The biology of aging as it impacts tourism.

Older travelers, most notably women over sixty, are the #1 consumers of travel in the world, slated to take 1.6 trillion trips in the next twenty-five years. Yet, the research arm of Ladders ranks the tourism sector as the fourth most ageist consumer-facing industry in the US. The call for change resonates globally.

Amidst the challenge to thwart this systemic ageism lies an excellent opportunity—a chance to enrich lives and extend health spans through the cultivation of competency, wellness, deepened friendships, and fulfilling voyages.

After establishing the facts of the intersection between healthy aging and tourism, we ask these questions: How can ministries of tourism, nonprofits, and NGOs lead the charge in attracting active adults to their destinations, causes, and cultures? How can tour operators, airports, accommodations, and sights embark on a transformative journey, pioneering a future where travel knows no age limits? Join us as we redefine the narrative of aging and tourism, igniting a movement that celebrates the boundless possibilities of the ageless traveler.

Buddy-Technology, Loneliness and Isolation

In a pivotal moment on May 3, 2023, United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued a groundbreaking Advisory, shedding light on the pressing public health crisis of loneliness, isolation, and disconnection. Across the Atlantic, a coalition of seven nations in Western Europe launched the European I2I project, a concerted effort to combat loneliness on a systemic level.

This keynote presentation delves into the intricacies of loneliness within an interconnected world, dissecting the distinctions between isolation, loneliness, and the absence of human contact. It asserts that each facet demands a tailored solution while acknowledging advanced technology's dual potential to alleviate and exacerbate these conditions. This is a highly interactive keynote, round table discussion, or workshop.

Attendees will grapple with significant inquiries, gaining fresh insights into the intersection of these phenomena with emerging technologies like robotics, artificial intelligence, and digital communication.

Key questions include:

• the viability of non-human companionship as a remedy for loneliness,
• the plausibility of human-robot friendships,
• the role of age-tech in addressing loneliness among older adults.
• the strategies to combat digital inequality and harness artificial intelligence for deeper understanding.

We will probe the contentious notion of whether advanced technology is a catalyst for the contemporary epidemic of loneliness or merely a symptom. Amidst debates, some critics attribute the rise of isolation to the ubiquity of digital communication tools, ranging from smartphones to social media platforms. Conversely, others argue that the root cause lies in the lack of digital access, particularly in rural areas and among individuals lacking digital literacy.

The discourse will culminate in a call to action, urging consumer-facing industries such as healthcare, entertainment, tourism, and transportation to collaborate in mitigating these life-limiting conditions.

5-Minute Recipe To Move, Touch, and Inspire Anyone, Anywhere, Any Time

Attendees are empowered to move, touch, and inspire by mastering impactful speech. They will find their voice through a proven recipe to help them Speak Out!

Attendees will:

• Experience the power of Speaking Out! and make a difference in all areas of life.
• Tell a story so that it Moves, Touches, and Inspires others to action.
• Overcome any shyness or reluctance to ask for what they want.
• Master how to communicate through email, social media, or whatever innovative technology is developed in the future.
• Discover how to meet any objection, intrusion, and pushback unemotionally and effectively.