Session Highlights

The 2012 Life@50+ National Event and Expo kicked off in New Orleans with Hoda Kotb in conversation with chef Emeril Lagasse at the opening show. Emeril shared his love and passion of both the city of New Orleans and cooking.

Excited by the enthusiastic audience, Hoda Kotb and Emeril Lagasse captured the moment.

Intriguing research has revealed that brains can be strengthened and exercised as they age, and that music can have a positive impact on people with cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. AARP favorite Dr. Adam Gazzaley discussed music and brain health before a packed room.

Joining Dr. Gazzaley for the Life’s Rhythms Reimagined session was Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart who entertained the audience with his rhythmic drumming and demostrated the positive affects of music on the brain.

Did you know that economic recessions are the best time to start a business or initiate a new career path? Chris Gardner, AARP Ambassador and entrepreneur whose real-life story of perseverance made The Pursuit of Happyness a best-selling autobiography and film, showed the Life@50+ crowd the way as he entertained and informed with his speech.

A newcomer to Life@50+, ABC’s John Quiñones was a hit with our attendees. He shared some of the uplifting stories from his show, What Would You Do?, that inspired his recent book, Heroes Among Us, and encouraged listeners to tap the heroic spirit that lies within them.

The cooking stage at Life@50+ is always a crowd pleaser and the 2012 event in New Orleans was no exception. The legendary Leah Chase of New Orleans' Dooky Chase restaurant brought the local flair and flavor to the exhibit hall.

World-renowned chef Michel Richard stirred up something tasty for the Life@50+ crowd.

Angela Medearis, the Kitchen Diva, explained how to cook "Diva-licious" dishes with the American Diabetes Association® at Life@50+.