Agenda:

8:00 a.m. – Tai Ji Quan session (Trellis)

8:30 a.m. – Registration & Breakfast

9:00 a.m. – Welcome Remarks

9:15 a.m. – Keynote Speaker, Panel Discussion

10:00 a.m.– Break & Booths

10:30 a.m.  – Breakout Sessions:

Option 1) Campus Architectural Tour (Marc Partridge, UMN)

Led by University Architect Marc Partridge, this guided bus tour offers a unique look at the University of Minnesota’s evolving campus landscape. Learn about the history, design, and vision behind some of the U’s most iconic buildings and new developments. The tour will depart from the main entrance of McNamara Alumni Center and last approximately one hour. Space is limited—register early to grab your seat!

Option 2) Writing Our Lives (Andrea Gilats)

In this session, we will discover how to translate our memories, including those that have faded with time, into lively true stories. We’ll recall some of our most memorable events, experiences, and life lessons, and begin learning how to describe them, reflect on them, and make sense of them. As we move through later life, writing is not only an especially engrossing way of engaging our minds, it’s also an ideal age-friendly pursuit, whether we handwrite, type, or speak our life stories.

Option 3) AgeTech Collaborative™️ from AARP (AARP Minnesota)

Digital health, mechanized mobility, robot companions, and AI-powered wearable wellness – the future is now. It is a complete myth that people 50+ are not tech-savvy, and new products arrive every day to help us all get the most out of living longer lives. This session will be an opportunity to discuss how aging and technology intersect in your life and highlight current innovations designed to make aging easier.

11:45 a.m. – Lunch, Booths

1:00 p.m. – Breakout Sessions (Same three sessions as listed above)

2:15 p.m. – Event Concludes

• • General Admission: $25 (includes breakfast, lunch, and all activities)
  • Pay-It-Forward: $30 (includes full access + supports another attendee)
  • No-Cost Registration: Complimentary registration, no questions asked

• Virtual registration: Free

Exhibitors will be available on-site at the conference, offering a chance to connect one-on-one with attendees, share resources, and highlight efforts that support age-friendly communities. Stop by to learn more about the many facets of creating an inclusive, age-friendly community! Interested in exhibiting? Contact chai@umn.edu

This year’s current list of exhibitors include:

• AARP

• Age-Friendly Minnesota Council

• Blunest Connect

• Herself Health

• Lutheran Social Service

• Masonic Cancer Center

• Mayo

• Minnesota Northstar Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP)

• MN Emergency Nurses Association

• Rebuilding Together Minnesota

• Senior LinkAge Line (MN Board on Aging)

• Southeast Seniors

• UMN Alumni Market

• UMN Bakken

• UMN Brain in Motion

• UMN Center for Healthy Aging & Aging (CHAI)

• UMN ITI – “Student Tech Tips”

• UMN Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)

• UMN One Stop

• UMN School of Nursing CASCI

• UMN U of M Extension, Department of Family, Health and Wellbeing

• UMN University of Minnesota Retiree’s Association (UMRA)

• UMN University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF)

• UMN Women’s Club

University Avenue Parking Ramp

An adjacent 500-car ramp is connected by tunnel to the McNamara Alumni Center. Parking is $3.00 per hour with a daily maximum of $13.00. If the ramp is in event mode there will instead be a daily rate of $10.00, and no hourly rate. Once inside the parking ramp, take the East elevator to tunnel B or street level. The Alumni Center is the copper building adjacent to the ramp.

• McNamara Alumni Center parking map

CONSTRUCTION: Beginning April 1, University Avenue will be reduced to 1 lane in 1-block sections from 35W moving toward Oak Street. Please allow extra time when planning your drive to the McNamara Alumni Center. More info.

Directions to University Avenue Ramp, adjacent to Alumni Center

Ramp address: 1926 University Ave. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455

From the north, heading south on 35W

1. Take Exit #18, 4th St-University Ave exit
2. Cross 4th Street SE; turn left on University Ave
3. Stay in the right lane, drive 9 blocks to the University Ave Parking Ramp — located on the right side of the street

From the south, heading north on 35W

1. Take Exit #18, 4th St-University Ave exit
2. Turn right on University Ave
3. Stay in the right lane, drive 9 blocks to the University Ave Parking Ramp — located on the right side of the street

From the east or west on I-94

1. Take Exit #235B, University of Minnesota/Huron Boulevard
2. Follow Huron Boulevard one block and turn left onto Fulton St (1st stop light)
3. Drive 3 blocks and turn right onto Oak St
4. Follow Oak St past the Alumni Center (on the left) and cross over University Ave.
5. Oak St will curve to the left and turn into 4th Street
6. Turn left at the first available street (18th Ave, 17th Ave or 16th Ave)
7. Drive 1 block and turn left onto University Ave
8. Immediately get into the right lane and turn right into the University Ave Parking Ramp

Other ramps if needed:

• Oak Street Ramp: 401 Oak St SE Minneapolis, MN 55455
• Washington Ave Ramp: 501 Washington Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Metro Transit- Green Line: 

The Green line stops a short block from the McNamara Alumni Center at the East Bank Station. It is on Washington Avenue across from the Graduate Minneapolis hotel. For specific route and schedule information visit www.metrotransit.org