South Carolina Lifestyles Expo: Life Begins at 50
The South Carolina Lifestyles Expo, for more than a quarter of a century one of the largest shows of its kind along the Carolina coast, gives 
attendees a taste of a wide array of products and services in areas ranging from health to finances to real estate to travel. The 2011 show even provided the opportunity to win a pair of tickets to the 2012 PGA Championship.
There is no admission charge at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center to attend the Expo, which is sponsored by Media Services, publisher of Carolina Homes & Interiors, Hot Retirement Towns and many other hard-copy and online publications.
“The show offers a broad spectrum of all types of things that interest folks 50 and older,” said South Carolina Lifestyles Expo Director Bill Cool. “It’s a potpourri of products and services for people of that age.”
In the health arena, the show’s visitors can get free screenings provided by medical professionals. They can have their hearing and eyes checked, take advantage of chiropractic massages and consultations and learn about various surgical procedures. Exhibitors also are available to provide health tips and advice and information on fitness techniques and the ins and outs of the Medicare program. In some years, they can even get a flu shot.
And, if you are healthy physically and financially, you might want to look into travel opportunities.
Financial health is another key aspect of the Expo. Free advice is offered in general areas including maximizing your retirement income and prudent investing and on specific subjects such as reverse mortgages.
And then there’s the free stuff and the fun stuff. Each year, vendors at 90 booths lure people to the Expo by giving away their products as well as cash, cruise packages, vacations, meals and other great prizes. Cooking demonstrations and help with your golf game are other popular pastimes, and live entertainment is always on tap throughout the two-day event. The Expo draws visitors from the Carolina coast and beyond, according to Hamilton, whose company serves free cheese omelets throughout the two-day event.
“We register people as they come by and send them a thank you note and another coupon for free eggs, so we know there are people from Canada, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and other places,” Hamilton said. “We feel the Expo has been a very successful marketing tool.”
Matt Sedota, general manager of WEZV Radio in Myrtle Beach, another longtime Expo sponsor, also sees the value of the opportunity to market to the 50-plus audience.
