[NFB_of_Georgia] Additional information to remember when planning for the 2023 Georgia State Convention

[plewis at nfbga.org]

Please read this information in its entirety, there has been additional
information added. 

 

Good evening, All,

You are receiving this information because you have already registered to
attend this year's convention, or you are still making plans to attend the
convention.

 

Important: 

*	We are asking everyone to register for the convention if you are
planning to attend. If you still plan to attend and you have not registered,
please contact Patrice Lewis at 678-756-3757.
*	Please be aware that no one will be allowed to attend the banquet
without purchasing a banquet ticket. If you would still like to purchase a
ticket, please contact Patrice Lewis or Nata Watkins.

 

*	Convention Information:

Location: Macon Marriott City Center

Address: 240 Coliseum Drive Macon, GA. 31217

Dates: October 27 -29, 2023

 

Convention Registration Cost:

Registration only - $20.00 per person

Banquet only - $60.00 per person

Registration plus lunch - $40.00 per person

Registration plus banquet - $80.00 per person

Registration plus lunch and banquet - $100.00 per person

 

Transportation Opportunity:

The National Federation of the Blind of Georgia, Atlanta Metropolitan
Chapter, is sponsoring a bus to Macon for the State convention. This
opportunity is open to all that need transportation to the convention.

Departing Friday, October 27, 2023, at 7:00 a.m. and departing Sunday,
October 29, 2023, at 1:30 p.m.

This bus is Wheelchair accessible.

The bus will be leaving from the Kensington MARTA Station, located at 3465
Kensington Road, Decatur GA 30032. And returning everyone back to the
station on Sunday.

 

**There is a deposit of $25.00. The deposit is nonrefundable and
nontransferable. The deposit will be due immediately.

 

Price: $65.00 round trip

One way: $35.00

Children ten and under $40.00

All others will pay the full price.

 

*Note:  Please contact Vanessa Meadows with any questions or concerns or
ways to pay, at 678-592-2929

 

Door Price Donation:

We are asking that any that can, please provide door prizes that can be
given out as gifts during our convention this year. We are asking that these
donations be in the form of cash or gift cards if possible.

 

Photo Studio:

Because this will be our fiftieth (50) state convention and we would like to
make it special for all in attendance, we are offering all the opportunity
to capture your state convention memory in a photo. This year we are hosting
a photo studio, each picture taken will be at a cost of $5.00 per person,
per photo. So, get everyone together that you would like to have included in
that memory and have your picture taken. Or you may want just one of
yourself.

 

Times:

Friday, October 27th: 2:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M.

Saturday, October 28th: 5:30 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.

 

*	Note: Since the traditional color for 50 years is gold, we are
asking that for the banquet everyone dressed in the colors of either white,
Gold, black or any combination of these colors. 

 

As another special addition to our banquet, we ask that any that wish to
participate decorate up their white canes in honor of our fiftieth
anniversary. If you would like to be able to decorate your cane at
convention, you will be giving that opportunity during one of our social
events planned for Friday night, October 27th.  

If you choose to decorate your cane at home before arriving, we ask that you
bring an additional cane to use during the convention and save your
decorated cane to present during the banquet. Your decorated cane will also
make a special addition to add to any banquet pictures.

 

Fund Raising Opportunities:

We are asking that each chapter and division provide a basket that can be
auctioned off during our banquet.

 

 

Fifty / Fifty Drawing:

The Georgia affiliate is sponsoring a fifty / fifty drawing during our
convention this year, you do not have to be present to win. Tickets can be
purchased in advance for this drawing, please contact Nata Watkins at
770-584-3953. The price of the tickets is $5.00 per ticket.

 

Note: The total amount of the funds collected will be divided in half to
create the amount of the prize

 

SMART TV Drawing:

The Georgia Student Division will be having a drawing, to win a SMART TV.
You may purchase a ticket for $5.00 for one, or four tickets for $15.00. You
must be present to win. The winner will be announced during the general
session on Saturday, October 28, 2023.

 

Georgia Affiliate Derby Horse Race:

The affiliate will be hosting two Georgia derby horse races this year. The
first will be held on Friday, October 27th, to benefit the Georgia BELL
program and the second one during the banquet on Saturday, October 28th to
benefit the Georgia affiliate programs.

 

Come one Come all and support your favorite horse. The way this works, is
there are six people selected to be a horse in the race. All horses start at
the starting line, then two dices are rolled, one to represent the number of
the horse (one through six), and the other to represent how many steps that
horse needs to take. We keep rolling the dice until one of our horses
reaches the finish line. At the beginning of the race, you will be able to
bet on which horse you think will win the race.

 

At the end of the race all of those who bet on the winning horse will split
the total amount collected between themselves and the affiliate.

 

Hotel Food Option:

The Macon Marriott City Center will serve breakfast and dinner in their
hotel restaurant. They will not be offering any special price accommodation
for us. All meals are at your own expense. Please also make a note that the
hotel restaurant is closed for lunch. 

 

*	Please be advised that the grab market at the Marriott is just a
grab and go. A way to picture this concept is to think of a convenience
store at a gas station, (Candies, cookies, drinks, beer, and wine). They
will not serve any prepared meals, everything is prepackaged, there are no
options for hot food.

 

*	The Marriott also does not have room service, you may order food
from the hotel menu, but you must go down to the front lobby to pick up your
food order.

 

*	You may also have food delivered to the hotel, but please remember
that you must go down to the hotel lobby to pick up your delivery. No
delivery person will be allowed to bring your order to your room.

 

Saturday's Convention Lunch Option:

You still have time to purchase a boxed lunch as part of the convention
membership registration for Saturday, October 28, 2023. By contacting
Patrice Lewis, 678-756-3757 or Nata Watkins at 770-584-3953.

 

Senior Division Lunch:

You are invited to join the Senior Division for lunch on Friday, October 27,
2023, from 11:45a.m. to 1:30P.M.

Location: S & S Cafeteria

Address: 2626 Riverside Drive, Macon, GA  31204

Phone: 478-746-9406

Recorded Menu - 478-746-7944

The group will be leaving the restaurant at 1:30P.M. to return to the hotel.

 

*	Note, the lunch will be at your own expense for food and
transportation to the location and back to the hotel.

For more information about the Senior lunch, please contact Vanessa Meadows
at 678-592-2929.

 

Macon Paratransit Info:

If you are eligible to ride the paratransit services in the area where you
live, you may want to take advantage of the Macon paratransit services while
in Macon.

 

Please call your paratransit service where you live to find out what it
takes for you to take advantage of these services and to verify how much
time they require to fax over your proof of transit eligibility before
October 20 to Macon Paratransit. You must also call the Macon Paratransit to
see how far in advance the week of Friday, October 27 you can book your
reservation from the hotel to the restaurant.

 

The information to fax your proof of eligibility to the Macon Paratransit
is:

Ms. June Slaughter, Paratransit Manager

Fax# 478-803-2537

 

You can verify and obtain further information for booking your October 27
ride below by calling:

Phone: (478) 803-2521.

Service hours are from 5:20 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 5:20
a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturdays. They are closed on Sundays.

Their friendly and knowledgeable dispatch supervisors can answer your
questions and help you with your transportation needs. You can reach them
Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 6:00
a.m. to 5:30 p.m. by calling the number listed above (478) 803-2521.

 

Paratransit Fares

One Way: $2.50 || Round Trip: $5.00

 

The Senior Division must have a count of all planning to attend, please RSVP
with Vanessa Meadows.

 

Exhibitors:

Our exhibit hours for this year's convention will be as follows,

Friday, October 27th: 12:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.

Saturday, October 28th: 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

 

If you will be an exhibitor for our convention this year, please note that
all our exhibitors will need to provide all the items needed to dress their
tables, and any power cords required. If your table needs to be near an
electrical outlet, this will be on a first come first granted basis.

 

The Marriott will offer basic WIFI for your use.

 

If you have any questions, please contact me using the information provided
below.

Thanks

Patrice Lewis

NFBGA, 2nd Vice President

PH: 678-756-3757

Email: plewis at nfbga.org

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