I would like to acknowledge and celebrate a recent success for the citizens of Biddeford, the business community, and our 50 and over population. Biddeford’s 50 Plus Club held its first-ever Senior Expo in the gymnasium of the J. Richard Martin Community Center on Wednesday, April 30. A freshly renovated gym featured 54 local exhibitors made up of for-profit, nonprofit and public sector organizations promoting a well-balanced mix of products, services and information.

As well, there were free workshops, concessions and a quaint dining café with free musical entertainment. What a tremendously successful event we held ”“ more than 800 very excited, engaged patrons attended. There was great pride for the club and our wonderful community center that day; you could feel it in the room and see it on the faces of all in attendance. Many exhibitors remarked that this was one of the best senior expos they have ever participated in ”“ and it was our first.

If not for the hard work and careful planning of so many, we would not be in this position. First and foremost, I would like to thank our members, especially the more than 150 volunteers who helped us plan and run the expo. As well, thank you to the citizens of Biddeford and the greater southern Maine community for coming out to support us and to the exhibitors, who lined up behind us early to reserve booths and promote the expo, and brought us their best that day.

We owe special thanks to the public servants of the City of Biddeford, including Recreation Director Carl Walsh; the fire, police, public works and codes departments; Mayor Alan Casavant; and the Heart of Biddeford.

Thank you to show sponsors, Huntington Common and Rolnick Chiropractic Wellness Center. There is simply no way we could have held such a magnificent senior expo if it weren’t for these two visionary sponsors.

Never was a successful event held without broad multimedia promotion, and special mention must be made of Biddeford Public Access TV, which helped us create simple but effective TV spots. I also had the honor of appearing on the Zaffie Show, which I’m sure helped boost attendance. The Biddeford and Saco Chamber of Commerce spread the word about our expo to their constituents for us. Ray Richardson and Shannon Moss of WLOB Radio in Portland promoted us tirelessly on their radio programs in the final days before April 30. SMHC, the Saco Train Station and the Biddeford Police each highlighted the expo on their bright, highly visible electronic signs.

If I have neglected to call attention to any individuals or entities who helped make the Biddeford 50 Plus Club’s 2014 Senior Expo such a hit, I apologize and assure you that it is not for lack of gratitude but simply because there are so many who deserve thanks, and I am fallible. We can only try our hardest to recreate the magic once again in 2015. With such wonderful friends and support, I’m confident we’ll achieve even greater heights next year.

Ed Mann, program director, Biddeford 50 Plus Club