In conjunction with its Annual Meetings, LeadingAge creates public, outdoor art exhibits in the host cities as a way to call attention to ageism, celebrate the lives of older adults, and encourage younger people to consider how their own lives will change as they age.

One example was the Words From the Wise program in Philadelphia, sponsored by PS Salon & Spa. The program featured the stories of 10 remarkable older adults—several activists, an inventor, an artist, a missionary, a musician, a researcher, and people living with dementia. Three of the 10 participants were on-site to speak to attendees and share their own perspectives on their lived experiences and how they continue to live their passions as they age.

The program included a Public Ageism Exhibit at Philadelphia City Hall, near the convention center, where scores of passersby wrote down their own thoughtful answers to the request, “Share your favorite piece of wisdom an elder has given to you.” The on-site conversations in the LeadingAge EXPO hall drew hundreds of members, and a steady stream of visitors to the outdoor exhibit filled the chalkboards with moving memories.