[Nfbf-l] Fw: [Nfbnet-members-list] Start Your Engines at the Rolex 24 at Daytona!

Mon Nov 15 03:46:42 UTC 2010

Hello list members,

Several of the NFBF board met with President Maurer yesterday along with Mrs. Jernigan, John Paré and Parnell Digs to discuss several exciting upcoming events. Please see below for exciting details about an event coming soon to the Daytona International Speedway. President Maurer wants to see an outstanding showing from Florida. This event will bring much attention to our state and to the NFB.

Sherri Brun, NFBF Secretary
----- Original Message ----- 
From: David Andrews 
To: nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org 
Sent: Thursday, October 21, 2010 5:42 PM
Subject: [Nfbnet-members-list] Start Your Engines at the Rolex 24 at Daytona!

  The National Federation of the Blind will soon hold the first public demonstration of work conducted under our Blind Driver Challenge initiative!  In a few short months, we will debut our prototype nonvisual interface that will empower a blind person to drive a car without sighted assistance in front of tens of thousands of fans before the start of the Rolex 24 at Daytona!  We hope you'll join us at the Daytona International Speedway on January 29, 2011, for this historic occasion for the Federation!

  The Rolex weekend generates a lot of traffic in Daytona Beach.  In order to make it possible for our members to attend, we have negotiated special hotel rates and secured discounted ticket prices for the race.  Information regarding the hotel, event tickets, transportation, and more is below.

  Lodging:

  Discounted lodging has been negotiated at three adjacent hotel properties.  A minimum stay of two nights for January 28-30, 2011 is required to take advantage of the discounted rate.  Prices listed are available as long as rooms are available under our block.  

  1.     Plaza Ocean Club Hotel (640 North Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach):  Rooms are available at a cost of $103 and $149 for ocean front rooms.  This will be the central location of activity; it is between the two hotels listed below, which are a quick walk away).  Meetings throughout the weekend will take place in the ballroom of this hotel.  To make a reservation, please call (386) 239-9800 and ask for the National Federation of the Blind pricing.

  2.     Plaza Resort and Spa (600 North Atlantic Avenue Daytona Beach):  Rooms are available at a cost of $129 and $169 for ocean front rooms.  This is an upscale hotel and there is an additional $12 resort fee for those who stay at this hotel.  To make a reservation, please call (386) 255-4471 and ask for the National Federation of the Blind pricing.

  3.     Conch House (700 North Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach):  Rooms are available at a cost of $49 and $59 for ocean front rooms.  We negotiated this less-expensive option for those who are working on a tight budget.  Please note that there is an additional $3.00-plus-tax per-day parking fee on this property.  To make a reservation, please call (386) 255-3411 and ask for the National Federation of the Blind pricing.

  o         All rates are based on single/double/tri/quad occupancy.  The additional guest charge is $10.00 for the fifth guest.
  o         Rollaways are available for a fee of $10.00-plus-tax per night.
  o         Bellman gratuities are $2.00 per person or $4.00 per room.  Guests must request this service at the time of reservation.
  o         In-room safes are available for use at $1.50 per night, plus tax.
  o         Local and 800 calls are $1.00.
  o         The present room tax rate is 12.5%.  
  o         Reservations require an advance deposit equal to the first night's room and tax, and can be paid by check or credit card.  Please note that checks must include the individual's birth date, driver's license/identification state, and license/identification number.  Please note that personal checks may only be submitted as payment prior to December 29, 2010, and will not be accepted at checkout.  American Express, MasterCard, Visa, Diners Club, Discover, traveler's checks, and cash are accepted at checkout.
  o         Cancellations less than seven days prior to the arrival date, or those who do not check in before midnight on the first day, will forfeit their first night's room and tax, and the room will be released.  
  o         Please make your reservations by December 29, 2010.

  Race Tickets:

  Race Rewards Package ($30 per person):  
  Tickets can be purchased by calling 1-800-PITSHOP (1-800-748-7467) by January 23, 2011.
  Includes infield and general admission for January 29-30, Rolex Series garage access, and $10 in Daytona Dollars (which are redeemable at any Daytona International Speedway concession stand).  This does not include infield parking.  Transportation for our members from the hotel, to the track, and back will be provided for Saturday, January 29.  

  Speed Insider Package ($119 per person):
  Tickets can be purchased by calling 1-800-PITSHOP (1-800-748-7467) by January 23, 2011.
  Includes single admission Pit Road Patio Access providing admission into the Speed Pit Road Patios overlooking Pit Road for January 29-30, general admission access throughout the infield grandstands, Rolex Series garage access, Rolex 24 at Daytona hat, and lunch on Saturday.  Infield parking is available (one pass for every four tickets purchased).

  Please note that a $14 processing fee will be added to your order, so attendees can reduce costs by ordering tickets in groups.  Also please be aware that, while there is a will-call option, race day will be quite busy, and since the price is the same to have tickets shipped, we urge attendees to have their tickets mailed to them.  Attendees can also purchase with their order a Daytona International Speedway Cap, a Daytona International Speedway Credential Holder, and the Café 24 Breakfast Garage tickets (note that we will not be providing transportation to this accommodate this option).

  Transportation:

  Airport:

  o         Those traveling out of the Daytona Beach International Airport have a number of taxi and shuttle services to choose from.  For more information, please go to www.flydaytonafirst.com/default.htm and search for taxis and/or shuttles.
  o         We recommend those traveling out of the Orlando International Airport use DoShuttle, which travels between the Daytona Beach and Orlando airports.  Rates are $32 one way and $59 round trip per person.  The extra fee for door-to-door service to our hotels is $10 each way per group.  Shuttles depart the airport every two hours.  For more information and reservations, please call (866) 947-9947 or visit www.doshuttle.com.

  Race Day:

  Pick-up for attendees wanting transportation to Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, January 29, will be at the Plaza Ocean Club Hotel.  Buses will arrive at the track two hours prior to the scheduled time of the demonstration (which is yet to be determined).  The buses will return to the hotel after the conclusion of the demonstration.  Some buses will leave the track two hours after the event and others will leave the track four hours after the event.  

  Gatherings:

  On the evening before the race, members are invited to gather in the ballroom of the Plaza Ocean Club Hotel for an update on organizational matters.  Topics of discussion will be the logistics for the Blind Driver Challenge demonstration, the Imagination Fund campaign, and the Text2Give program.  The race environment will be quite thrilling, but very busy, so we encourage all race attendees to come to this session.

  A Member Activity Area at the Daytona Speedway will be open on Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.  The second Blind Driver Challenge vehicle will be on display in this area, as well as information on Text2Give, bumper sticker and keychain giveaways, and other fun surprises!

  A press conference will be held immediately after the track demonstration of the Blind Driver Challenge vehicle, which we would like for all members to attend.  More information regarding this part of the event will be distributed at the meeting on Friday evening.

  Finally, another gathering will take place on Saturday evening in the ballroom of the Plaza Ocean Club Hotel to celebrate the events of the day!

  Stay tuned for more updates as we approach the Rolex 24 at Daytona!  We hope to see you there in January!

  For more information on logistics for the Rolex 24 at Daytona, please contact Kristian Kuhnke at (410) 659-9314, extension 2219, or bdc at nfb.org.
  For more information about the NFB Blind Driver Challenge visit our website at blinddriverchallenge at nfb.org.

  Sincerely,

  John

  John G. Paré Jr. 
  Executive Director for Strategic Initiatives
  NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
  200 East Wells Street
  Baltimore, Maryland  21230
  Telephone:  (410) 659-9314, ext. 2227
  Cell phone:  (410) 917-1965
  Fax:  (410) 685-5653
  Email:  jpare at nfb.org 

                          David Andrews:  dandrews at visi.com
Follow me on Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/dandrews920

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