[NFBNJ] Important 2024 Convention Information

[Linda Melendez]

Greetings,

As August approaches our upcoming annual state convention being held Thu
Oct 24 through Sun Oct 27 preparations are in high gear! In this email you
will find new and updated information to assist in attending. Please save
this information for future reference. Check us on Facebook for
announcements!

 Warmly,

Linda Melendez, President
National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey
908-590-1747
*www.nfbnj.org* <http://www.nfbnj.org/>
* Facebook: **https://m.facebook.com/NFB-NJ-353099574776238*
<https://m.facebook.com/NFB-NJ-353099574776238>
Hotel Reservations

Crowne Plaza Edison 2055 Lincoln Highway Edison, NJ 08817
<https://www.google.com/maps/search/2055+Lincoln+Highway+Edison,+NJ+08817?entry=gmail&source=g>

$119 per night for 1 to 4 occupants plus taxes

No deposit is required and is now open

Block name is NFB

Booking phone number: 732-692-1207

Cutoff date is 5 PM Fri, Oct 4
AnnouncementsFragrance Free Policy

The National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey's goal is to be
sensitive to members with perfume and chemical sensitivities who, as a
result, may suffer potentially serious health consequences. In order to
address this concern, members and participants at conventions and other
meetings should refrain from wearing scented products, including, but not
limited to perfumes, colognes, aftershave lotions, or similar products. We
want to ensure full participation in all of our state-wide activities.
National Rep

I am thrilled to announce Patty Chang, Esq & Director NFB Outreach is our
National Representative and soon her bio will be available on our website.
Host Chapter

This year’s host chapter is the Central Jersey Chapter.
Exhibit Hall

Invitations are being sent to vendors and resources to showcase their
products or an outreach program to share about their services. In-person
only Exhibit Hall will be held on Friday, Oct 25 from 8 AM to Noon.
New Affiliate Auction Set-up

Our annual auction, an opportunity for fundraising, is set for a single
time block on Friday, October 25 from 7 to 8:30 PM following our Federation
Family Dinner.
Pre-Purchased Meals

In order to keep the daily room rate at $119 plus taxes the affiliate
agreed to a higher food and beverage minimum of $10,500. What does this
mean? If we do not spend this amount on food we are obligated to pay the
difference, which means the hotel gets free money from us! This is why we
offer pre-purchased food options at a reduced rate and need conventioneers
to purchase it. Some advantages to pre-purchasing your meals are lower
prices, avoiding restaurant services, delays and waiting for a check.
Pre-purchased food is fresh and made daily!



New this year conventioneers can pre-purchase the breakfast buffet daily
and it will be set-up in our convention space each day. Also, a new lunch
option will be a salad. Our Federation Family Meal and Banquet are included
in meeting the food and beverage minimum. The affiliate will be subsidizing
food purchase by a few dollars for an additional discount to you. For your
reference and consideration, I have pasted the food options along with the
pricing below. Again, food can only be purchased during the
pre-registration process.



*Breakfast buffet* - Restaurant Menu Price $30, Hotel Discounted Price $18
Affiliate price to you is $16 each. Buffet offers Seasonal Sliced Fruit &
Berries & Yogurt Parfaits with Granola Topping, Hot Steel Cut Oatmeal with
Assorted Toppings (Almonds, Raisins, Brown Sugar), Freshly Baked Assorted
Bagels, Croissants, Danish and Muffins, Served with Peanut Butter, Assorted
Cream Cheese, Butter & Fruit Preserves, Fluffy Scrambled Eggs with Fresh
Chives, Crispy Smokehouse Bacon, Sausage, Fried Potatoes, Freshly Brewed
100% Colombian Coffee and Tea



*Boxed lunches* - Restaurant Menu Price $30, Hotel Discounted Price $25,
Affiliate price to you is $23 each. Boxed lunches include individual bags
of Potato Chips, Washington Fresh Gala Apple, Freshly Baked Cookies,
Bottled Water. Choices are:


   - Garden Fresh Acadian Blend Mixed Greens Topped with Cucumbers, Roma
   Tomatoes, Chickpeas, Carrots and Choice of Dressing
   - Mesquite Smoked Turkey Breast, Italian Fontina Cheese, Honey Bacon,
   Mayo, Multigrain Bread
   - Tuna Salad on Whole Wheat Bread

To attend the Federation Family Meal the cost remains at $50, and the food
selections will be Chicken Parma lightly sautéed with a prosciutto, fontina
cheese and spinach pesto cream sauce ora Vegetarian choice Sweet Potato
Tacos with Pineapple Corn Salsa



To attend the Banquet, the cost remains at $50, and the food selections
will be Crispy Chicken Milanese with wilted spinach and kale, shaved
parmesan and lemon vinaigrette, or a vegetarian choice3 of Black; garbanzo
bean vegetable chili
Pre-Registration

Pre-registration will open around the 2nd week of August and will remain at
$25. On-site registration will be $45 and there are no pre-purchased food
options. For a smoother registration process we have added the following
questions.


   - Will minors under the age of 18 be attending with you? You are
   responsible for the care of all minors. If yes first, last name and age are
   required..
   - Would you be interested in NFBNJ Convention Camp if available on
   Friday or Saturday from 9 to 5? There will be a charge per child per day.
   - Will you be bringing an Aid, PCA or SSP. There will not be a
   registration fee.  If yes, first and last name will be required.
   -  Which days of the convention do you plan to attend; check boxes for
   Thu, Fri, Sat and Sun.
   - Selection Box if attending:
   - Affiliate Pizza Party; Thu 5:30 PM
   - POBC Meeting - TBD
   - Student Gathering: Sat, 12:15 PM
   - Tech Seminar: Thu, 1 to 5 P\
   - Would you like your pre-purchased meal tickets in Braille?
   - Will you be purchasing an additional Federation Meal? If yes, first
   and last name will be required.
   - Will you be purchasing additional Banquet tickets? If yes, first and
   last name will be required.
   - Save the dates

Convention Meetings - Save the dates

*Topic:* Convention Town Hall
Join President Melendez for the most up-to-date convention news and bring
your questions!

*Date*: Tue, Aug 27, 2024

*Tme:*  7 PM

*Location*: Affiliate Zoom Platform



*Topic:*  Convention Rookie Round-Up
Join Patti Chang and President Melendez as we set off to attend this year’s
convention.

*Date:* Tue, Oct 15, 2024

*Time:* 7 PM

*Location:* Affiliate Zoom Platform
Daily OutlineThursday, October 24, 2024

Pre-Registration Pick-Up and On-Site Registration

Technology Seminar

Membership Friendship Appreciation Pizza Party

Resolution Committee

Evening Senior Committee Gathering; all are invited
Friday, October 25, 2024

Pre-Registration Pick-Up and On-Site Registration

Exhibit Hall

Breakout Sessions

General Session One

Federation Family Meal

Affiliate Auction

Entertainment
Saturday, October 26

Pre-Registration Pick-Up & Registration

Banquet Exchange

Traditional Pre-Convention Music & Morning General Session

NJ Association of Blind Students Gathering

NJ Parents of Blind Children Meet & Talk Session

Open Chat NFB Courtesy Rules of Blindness

Afternoon General Session & Affiliate Business

Banquet
Sunday, October 27

Affiliate Networking & Socializing

New Jersey Regional Abacus Bee
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