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<b>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br>
</b>CONTACT:<br>
Cheryl Gross<br>
Merchant Relations<br>
National Association of Blind Merchants<br>
Phone: (866) 543-6808, extension 10 <br>
<a href="file:///C:\Users\Worley\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary%20Internet%20Files\Content.Outlook\ZYKODS0Q\cherylgross@blindmerchants.org">
cherylgross@blindmerchants.org</a> <br>
<br>
National Association of Blind Merchants <br>
Announces Lone Star BLAST 2014<br>
<br>
<b>Colorado Springs, Colorado (September 24, 2014):</b> National
Association of Blind Merchants (NABM) announced today, that the President
of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), Mark Riccobono, will
provide the opening address at Business, Leadership and Superior Training
(BLAST). NFB President Riccobono will bring his insight, humor, and
inspiration to conference attendees at the leadership breakfast Wednesday
morning, Nov. 19. NABM, a division of the NFB, encourages you to
place your hotel reservations and register now for the powerful BLAST
training conference in November 2014. Lone Star BLAST 2014 will be held
at the Austin Renaissance Hotel from November 18–20.<br>
<br>
This year’s BLAST has expanded its scope. There is great excitement
building around the BEST mentoring program for blind clients of
vocational rehabilitation, who may be considering or embarking, on a
career of entrepreneurship, either within Randolph-Sheppard, or other
forms of self-employment. Many state agencies are providing stipends for
clients to attend the Blind Entrepreneurs Succeed Today track at BLAST.
Interested consumers and rehab counselors should get in touch with our
office for details. <br>
<br>
Nicky Gacos, president of the National Association of Blind Merchants,
said: “In coordination with Business Enterprises of Texas and the elected
committee, we are planning the biggest, boldest, most far-reaching
training for blind entrepreneurs and state agency personnel. It will be a
BLAST as big as Texas.”<br>
<br>
NABM and National Federation of the Blind Entrepreneur Initiative will
jointly stage the conference. The group has already begun planning the
biggest trade show in its history, working in conjunction with the RSA
Buying Group and the Committee of Blind Operators of Texas. NABM is also
pleased to announce that in coordination with the National Counsel for
State Agencies for the Blind, BLAST will, again this year, feature a
day-long training event exclusively for State Licensing Agency staff. The
association is also working with NCSAB to offer continuing education for
attorneys working with state VR agencies and Business Enterprise
programs. Those sessions will take place on Tuesday, November 18.
<br>
<br>
BLAST seminars will begin the morning of Tuesday, November 18, with
business development training on the morning of Wednesday, November
19. The trade show will take place Wednesday afternoon. There will
be a full day of targeted education related to personal and professional
growth on Thursday, November 20. Thursday evening, BLAST will conclude
with an all-star Lone Star BLAST banquet and celebration featuring guest
speaker/performer, blind American Idol finalist Scott MacIntyre.<br>
<br>
Room reservations at the luxurious Austin Renaissance are available now
at the unbelievable rate of $129.00 per night, plus applicable taxes.
There are a limited number of executive suites available on a first come
first serve basis, at $149.00 per night. Rooms are available from Sunday,
November 16 through Saturday, November 22, 2014. Reservations should be
made online at
<a href="http://www.blindmerchants.org/">www.blindmerchants.org</a>, or
by phone at (800) 468-3571. Explain to the agent that you are registering
for Lone Star BLAST under the National Association of Blind Merchants
group. You <u>must</u> mention Lone Star BLAST to get the discounted
rate. The Austin Renaissance is located at 9721 Arboretum Blvd. Austin,
TX 78759<br>
<br>
This year, BLAST registration will be $200.00. Remember that the BLAST
registration fee covers BLAST activities excluding out of hotel tours or
events that may be offered. Your registration fee covers training,
training materials, welcoming reception, leadership breakfast, trade show
and trade show reception, evening banquet, as well as a, “lunch and
learn” featuring an address from Dr. Marc Maurer, immediate past
President National Federation of the Blind on Thursday Nov. 20. Register
now at
<a href="http://www.blindmerchants.org/">www.blindmerchants.org</a>. For
questions or assistance with hotel reservations or Lone Star BLAST
registrations, please call 866-543-6808. <br>
<br>
Austin is the home of the most diverse and lively music scene in the
world. NABM invites you to come for the high-caliber training,
networking, and Texas hospitality. In an e-mail to constituents,
President Gacos said: “If you plan to attend any national training
conference in 2014, make it the Lone Star BLAST!”<br>
<br>
<br>
Think training! Think opportunity! Think Austin, Texas! <br>
Think BLAST!<br>
<br>
<br>
<br><br>
<x-sigsep><p></x-sigsep>
<x-tab> </x-tab>David
Andrews and long white cane Harry.<br>
E-Mail: dandrews@visi.com or david.andrews@nfbnet.org<br>
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