AARP "ORLANDO @ 50+" CONVENTION
From California's "The O.C." to Florida's Orange County, Red Hat Society CEO Debra "Lady Bug" Granich and Event Producer Bella Lagmay-Funk ,"Purple Princess of PR," attended AARP's "Orlando @ 50+" Convention Sept. 30 – Oct. 2 at the Orange County Convention Center. Before the event began, our RHS royalty were VIP guests at the four-star Peabody Orlando where they served as honorary duck masters for the famous Peabody Ducks daily royal parade. The Hatters presented mini red hats to Duck Master Donald, who escorted them as they led the ducks from their rooftop gazebo penthouse to the first floor where they waddled down the red carpet to the water fountain where they splash all day! To see paparazzi tourists videotaping the daily ceremony is such a quack up!
Before the AARP event even opened, attendees in long lines began asking the location of our booth. At last year's AARP event in Las Vegas at the Sands, the RHS booth was so popular that there was often a crowd around it. So, this year, our booth was prominently placed in the front row off the main entrance! With ambassador Vickie Koch of Victoria, Minnesota and local volunteers decked out in full regalia, our booth was again one of the most popular in the exhibit hall – and certainly, the most lively! Attendees stopped to see what all the excitement was about as new and supporting members took photos with the onsite Hatquarters representatives -- who reported that the show was a success, signing up 70 new members and renewals (almost double from last year's show) and obtaining hundreds of leads from our Sony Playstation 3 opportunity drawing! In addition, Bella networked with exhibitors and made numerous new contacts for vendors and sponsors for our Hat District at our annual international conventions.
The annual AARP event is known for featuring famous celebrity speakers and panelists. This year's stars included Jane Pauley, Dave Barry, Olympia Dukakis, Patty Loveless, Newt Gingrich, Martina Navratilova, Stedman Graham, Rob Reiner, Whoopi Goldberg and Larry King. Evening entertainment featured concerts by popular artists beginning Thursday night with B.B. King and Gladys Knight. Of course, Bella, Vickie and Debra were in the front row and got on the huge video screens twice. The Friday night dance party featured World Classic Rockers, Gloria Gaynor and Los Lobos. After the convention closed on Saturday, a concert with Woodstock alumni was headlined by Richie Havens, Judy Collins and Crosby, Stills & Nash. It was like a flashback to the '60s with attendees' arms around each other as they sang along to signature anthems of the love and peace era.
As the HQ trio stood by the stage afterwards wearing their big red hats and bright bling, attendees asked to take photos with them. Everywhere they went from the exhibit hall to their hotel, people took photos of them in their full regalia. "We're a walking photo op!" Bella laughed.