<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><!--[if !mso]><style>v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style><![endif]--><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Aptos;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
panose-1:3 15 7 2 3 3 2 2 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Garamond;
panose-1:2 2 4 4 3 3 1 1 8 3;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.gmailsignatureprefix
{mso-style-name:gmail_signature_prefix;}
span.EmailStyle19
{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Hello Federationists,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Debbie Malone put together this fabulous description of our hotel for this weekends convention Please take a look! Have a great night and see y’all soon!! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Safe Travels! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div style='mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in'><p class=MsoNormal style='border:none;padding:0in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Shara<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> </span></p><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Sheraton Springfield Hotel Orientation<span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>Entrance<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>The main entrance of the hotel consists of two sets of automatic sliding doors. As you are entering the hotel the entryway is to the right and the exit doors to the left. There are also manual doors inside the vestibule on the right side.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>Lobby Level:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>When entering the main automatic doors, you enter an open lobby area. On your left is a security desk which may not be occupied. If you proceed straight across the lobby, you will encounter the front desk directly in front of you. To the right of the front desk counter is a lower counter which serves as the hotel market shop.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'> With the front desk counter in front of you, turn left, keeping the front desk on your right. At the end of the counter there will be an open doorway. Turn left. At the end of the wall, turn right. At the end of that shorter wall, turn right again. You are now in the elevator lobby. There are 4 elevators in the elevator bank, two on each side.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>If you do not take the last right, but cross the elevator hallway, there will be an ATM machine, followed by restrooms. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>Directly across from the hallway to the elevator bank is a staircase that leads up to the 2<sup>nd</sup> and 3<sup>rd</sup> floors. There are several stairs, then a landing where you can turn either right or left to a second set of stairs to the next floor.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>2<sup>nd</sup> Floor<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>The 2<sup>nd</sup> floor contains the breakfast restaurant, hotel bar, and all of the meeting and exhibit hall space. One side of the elevator hallway leads to the main parts of the 2<sup>nd</sup> floor, while the other side leads to a much smaller hallway to hotel staff offices.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'> When exiting the elevator bank on the main 2<sup>nd</sup> floor side, you will also find the staircase directly across from the elevator hallway. There are both carpeted stairs going up and down across from the elevator bank. The first and 2<sup>nd</sup> floor have a similar setup with staircases directly across from the elevator bank hallway.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>The basic shape of the open area, where the stairs are located is a triangle. When you exit the elevator bank you will be in the middle of the bottom side of the triangle. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'> 2<sup>nd</sup> floor restrooms<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>Upon exiting the elevator bank hallway, take a right. If you take an immediate right again, you will be in the restroom hallway. The restrooms are at the end, women’s on the right, men’s on the left.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>2<sup>nd</sup> Floor Restaurants<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>The hotel offers both a breakfast restaurant, as well as a pub that is open for lunch, dinner, and late-night. These are both located on the 2<sup>nd</sup> floor in different locations.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>The breakfast restaurant (Picks Restaurant) is on the right directly past the restroom hallway from the elevator bank.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>The lunch and dinner restaurant and bar (MVP Pub) is at the end of a hallway directly across from the back side of the stairs. Locate the stairs directly across from the elevator hallway. Travel along either side of the staircase. Go straight across the open area. There will be a round table in the middle of this open area, which you may or may not encounter. Just past this table is a hallway. The beginning of this hallway is the top of the triangle. The restaurant is on the left side of the hallway and can be located by 2 curved stairs at the entrance. It might be easiest to follow around the triangle to locate the hallway where the restaurant is located. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>2<sup>nd</sup> Floor Meeting Rooms<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>All NFBMA registration, exhibits, and meetings will take place on the 2<sup>nd</sup> floor.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>Most of the events such as meals, general sessions, and the banquet will be held in the Mahogany Room. To locate this room, go past the entrance to the Picks restaurant. Travel along the wall to the end. You will be at the right tip of the triangle. Turn left then go until you must take a slight left. The doors to the Mahogany Room will be a little further down on your right. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>If you pass the Mahogany Room, you will be at the hallway at the top of the triangle where the MVP Pub is located. If you cross this hallway, you be at the Worthy Room. The entrance to this room is at an angle. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>Starting back at the exit of the elevator hallway. Turn left; after traveling along a short wall, you will encounter an open business center area. If you continue to straight, there is a pole at the end of the business area, then a short open hallway. Cross this hallway, then on your left will be the Charles Room. Continue past the entrance to the Charles Room, the entrance to the Highland Room will be in front of you. You are now at the left tip of the triangle. Turn right and then right again and the entrance to the Stonehaven Room will be on your left. The Stonehaven Room is directly across from the Charles Room. After the Stonehaven Room, turn left and travel a short distance along the side of the Stonehaven Room and you be at the second entrance to the Worthy Room, which is also at an angle. The other side of the Worthy Room, where the first entrance is located, brings you back to the tip of the triangle, where the hallway to the MVP Pub is located. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>Success! You have traveled around the Triangle! Have fun!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>Guide dog Relief area<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>The hotel does not have any grassy area on the property but there are places close by. When exiting the lobby through the sliding doors, you will be in a covered area that connects the hotel with parking. Cross to the other side. The sidewalk is slightly to the left. Walk along the sidewalk. At the end of the building the sidewalk becomes wider. There are raised beds with dirt and plants on either side. If you miss them and get to the street, you can turn around or take a right. Just before the next street corner there is a decent sized section of grass on the right. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'>If you would like assistance, you can call Debbie Malone at 774-786-0177.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><br clear=all><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span class=gmailsignatureprefix>-- </span><o:p></o:p></p><div><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif'>Debbie Malone</span></i><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-repeat:initial'><i><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#222222'>National Federation of the Blind of Massachusetts</span></i><span style='color:#222222'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-repeat:initial'><i><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#222222'>Affiliate Second Vice President</span></i><span style='color:#222222'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-repeat:initial'><i><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#222222'>At-Large Chapter President</span></i><span style='color:#222222'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-repeat:initial'><i><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#222222'>National Federation of the Blind, National Writers Division Vice President</span></i><span style='color:#222222'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-family:"Comic Sans MS"'><a href="http://DebbieMalone.org" target="_blank">DebbieMalone.org</a></span></i><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B07RVCRR5R" target="_blank">Amazon Author Page</a><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></div></div></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://inboxwhenready.org/?utm_campaign=signature&utm_medium=email&utm_source=signature"><span style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=16 height=16 style='width:.1666in;height:.1666in' id="_x0000_i1025" src="https://inboxwhenready.org/images/iwr-icon-signature.png"></span></a> <span style='color:#999999'>I'm using <a href="https://inboxwhenready.org/?utm_campaign=signature&utm_medium=email&utm_source=signature">Inbox When Ready</a> to protect my focus. </span><o:p></o:p></p></div></div></div></div></body></html>