Each year, the City has hosted a forum to provide Jacksonville's seniors an opportunity to meet the Duval County Legislative Delegation before the state's senators and representatives convene in Tallahassee for their 60-day regular session.
The latest annual meeting was Thursday at the conference center at the Main Library.
Mayor Alvin Brown welcomed seniors and lawmakers to the forum, which marked the first time a mayor has participated in the event.
Brown said the 2010 U.S. Census determined that 11 percent of Jacksonville's population is age 65 or older and the local senior population is projected to grow 1 percent per year.
"Today, it's all about you," he said. "We want to make sure we work with the Duval Delegation, the federal legislative delegation and the nonprofits to make sure you are living the American dream."
David DeCamp, Brown's director of communications, delivered the keynote address. DeCamp, a former newspaper reporter, shared with the seniors his insights and advice on navigating the legislative process and how best to communicate with lawmakers.
Be concise to most effectively advocate for a position, he said.
"Don't be long-winded and unfocused," said DeCamp. "Explain your position in one sentence."
He advised the seniors to plan ahead if they travel to Tallahassee during the session to try to spend time with their elected representatives.
"If you go to Tallahassee without an appointment hoping to get 30 minutes, you might as well hope for a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, too," DeCamp said.
The political environment in Tallahassee during the session also must be considered, he said.
"Citizens and lawmakers are outnumbered 10-1 by lobbyists. Do your homework and know what you're dealing with," said DeCamp.
The annual forum is just one event on the schedule for the Conference Center. Mitesh Sangani, who manages the center, said more than 700 meetings and events were held in 2012 at the Main Library and attracted 50,000 people.
Sangani said the Hicks Auditorium in the Conference Center has been upgraded with a Dolby 7.1 sound system and is now equipped for Blu-ray Disc video.
This month's schedule includes an appearance Feb. 22 by "Iron Chef" Mario Batali, sponsored by Publix Aprons Cooking School.
Batali's book-signing and cooking demonstration will be followed Feb. 23 by the North Florida Regional Spelling Bee.
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