The Reinvention Convention:
A provocative series of discussions around aging
Co-founded by three well-known community organizations
Most people are aware that Sarasota County occupies a unique place among communities in the United States and around the world because of its demographics. However, while there is a large number of part and full-time residents over the age of 65 further uniquely the population is evenly split in thirds with one-third under the age of 35, one-third between 35-64, and that famous 65+ cohort. Because of that, the county is at the epicenter of a broad range of compelling age-related issues – all meaningful – that require care, attention and focus. It also is wonderfully age-balanced, with the human life cycle in community form.
The Mission
The Reinvention Convention is a provocative series of discussions around aging, designed to encourage thought leadership, change minds, and instigate action by providing a platform for discourse on compelling age-related issues.
Well-known Community Partners
The Senior Friendship Centers, JFCS of the Suncoast and Plymouth Harbor represent a core consortium that have joined together to co-produce this 6-year series of conferences to discuss high-interest subjects. Each organization cares deeply about the issues impacting older adults and the community at large.
The Series
November 9, 2017 Disrupt Aging
November 9, 2018 Intergenerational Harmony
November 15, 2019 Life Creativity
November 4, 2021 The Brain | Virtual Presentation
November 2022 Relationships
November 2023 The Dress Rehearsal/Reframing Aging
Agenda for 2019
8:30 – 9:00 Breakfast & Mingling
9:00 – 9:15 Welcome: Event MC, John McCarthy, Executive Dir., Spanish Point Remembering Dr. Gene Cohen, Pioneer in Aging & Creativity, Dr. Nancy K. Schlossberg, Co-President TransitionWorks & Author
9:15 – 9:45 Keynote: Dr. Larry Thompson, Ringling College of Art & Design, Creativity Matter + 21st Century Skillsets
9:45 – 10:15 Keynote: Dr. Hank Hine, The Dali Museum, Dali Innovation Labs, Shifting Perceptions
10:15 – 10:45 Dialogue: Dr. Larry Thompson & Dr. Hank Hine, Audience Q&A, Creativity & Longevity Pioneering, Anne Marie Russell moderator, Sarasota Art Museum
10:45 – 10:55 Age Disruptor Award Presentation
10:55 – 11:15 Break: Coffee & Lite Bites
11:15 – 12:20 Creativity Toolkit / Catching a New Curveball / What Now?
12:20 – 12:30 Year 4: ReinventCon 2020 Teaser, The Brain. Adjournment
Each Year, A Headliner
Disrupting Aging Each year, the event will feature a headline speaker. The Premiere, 2017 conference featured Dr. Bill Thomas, an author, entrepreneur, musician, teacher, farmer and physician (gerontologist) whose wide-ranging work explores the terrain of human aging. He is the founder of The Eden Alternative, which works to improve care provided to older people. The Wall Street Journal highlighted him as one of the nation’s ‘top 10 innovators’ changing the future of retirement in America.
Intergenerational Harmony The 2018 conference featured Chuck Underwood, the founder and principal of The Generational Imperative. He’s consulted with a range of corporations, governments and non-profits on ways to identify and encourage generational cooperation. His talk, ‘One America, Five Generations’ focused on generational differences and opportunities for cross-generational interaction.
Life Creativity The 2019 conference assembles a superstar cast of Creative Experts to give us some practical help in navigating life’s challenges as we age through building creative confidence. Dr. Larry Thompson, President, Ringling College of Art + Design, will speak on Creativity as THE 21st C. skillset. Dr. Hank Hine, Executive Director, The Dali Museum, will talk about using Salvador Dali’s art to inspire ways to shift perceptions of the world. Anne Marie Russell, Executive Director, Sarasota Art Museum, will moderate a discussion between the two on using creative practice to grow confidence in living a long life well.
The Brain The 2021 virtual conference assembles a superstar cast of Amazing Experts to give us some practical help in navigating life’s challenges as we age.
Dr. Kevin O’Neil has committed to our panel and we are excited to list the rest of panelist in the coming weeks.
Reinvention Convention 2021 Sponsors
Reinvention Convention
Planning Committee Partners and Their Mission Statements
Senior Friendship Centers: Lynne Anast, Director Lifelong Learning
Our Mission: To promote health, dignity and quality of life throughout the journey of aging. Our Vision: To lead the way in delivery of comprehensive services that enrich the lives of older adults and their families.
JFCS of the Suncoast: Pam Baron, Director of Senior Services
Our Mission: Guided by the Jewish tradition of helping all people, JFCS empowers individuals and families toward self-sufficiency.
Members At Large:
Nancy Schlossberg, EdD: Author, Professor Emerita University of Maryland, Co-President Transitionworks
Crystal Rothhaar, Vice President of Communications, Senior Friendship Centers
Nicci Kobritz, President, Youthful Aging Home Care, CEO, Center for Brain Health
John McCarthy, Vice President for Historic Spanish Point campus Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
Don Fitts, President Cornerstone LifeCare LLC
Art Mahoney: Community member aging gracefully and productively in Sarasota