[NFBNJ] FB of NJ Convention Meeting Notes
NFB of NJ President
president at nfbnj.org
Wed Apr 15 13:07:52 UTC 2026
National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey Annual State Convention;
Live the Life You Want; Stronger Together: 50 Years of Progress and
Possibilities
Informational Meeting Notes 1. Welcome:
Thank you for joining our Convention Information Meeting held on Tuesday,
April 14. We’re glad to have you with us as we begin planning for our
upcoming state convention.
2. Convention Location, Dates & Theme
· *Tropicana Atlantic City*
2831 Boardwalk
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
· Wednesday, October 21 – Sunday, October 25, 2026
· Theme: Live the Life You Want; Stronger Together: 50 Years of
Progress and Possibilities
3. Hotel Details a. Room Reservations
· There will be a booking link and a dial-in option to book hotel
rooms
· Recommended to use credit cards
· First night will be charged at the time of reservation
· There will be a $150 hold on your card; *need to confirm*
· Check-in is 4 PM
· Check-out 11 AM
· Convention space will be on the 3rd floor of the Havana Tower
· Every effort will be made for sleeping rooms to be assigned in the
Havana Tower; early check-in may result in your room being in a different
tower. The Havana Tower is off the Quarter Tower.
· Refund if canceled with 48 hours' notice
b. Hotel Rates
All rates include the daily reduced resort fee of $20.00. These rates do
not include applicable taxes—a maximum of four per room.
· Wednesday (10/21/2026): $99.00
· Thursday (10/22/2026): $99.00
· Friday (10/23/2026): $119.00
· Saturday (10/24/2026): $169.00
c. Additional Hotel Information
· There is a parking lot fee; we will get details
· $5 credit per room towards self-parking
· Block date ends of October 4
· coffee makers in each room
· Basic in-room Wifi
· All local calls
· Fitness Center Access for two per day at each property; no lockers
or shower access
4. Registration a. Pre-Registration
· Will open in the middle of July
· $25 per person 18 & older
· 17 and under free
· One aide per paid conventioneer will be free
· *Closes on Oct 7th at 5 PM *Hard deadline; no exceptions**
· Meals can only be selected during pre-registration
· Conventioneer is responsible for ordering meals for aid and/or
children
· All convention activities will be on the Havana Tower, third floor
· Chapter leaders should be contacted for pre-registration assistance
d. Meal Options
· Buffet Breakfast – Available Thursday through Sunday
· Boxed Lunches – Available Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
· Thursday Dinner – Pasta Bar
· Friday Dinner – Plated Federation Family Meal
· Saturday – Plated Banquet
e. On-Site Registration
· $50
· No meal purchases
5. Affiliate Bus Transportation Information
As of now, the bus will depart from the NJ Transit Rahway Rail Station on
Wednesday, October 21, at 12:00 noon, and return from the Tropicana on
Sunday, October 25, at 12:00 noon.
Based on current member interest in the Northern and Central regions, we
anticipate the need for two buses.
The bus will also make a stop in Mt. Laurel to pick up members from the
Garden State Chapter.
This transportation option is available only to members in good standing at
a reduced rate of $20 per person, round-trip. Members who register as aides
are not eligible to use the bus as their mode of transportation.
*Please Note:*
- Reservations are for one person only and may not be split.
- Due to anticipated high demand, aides will not be permitted to ride
the bus.
- One minor per paid convention member may ride the Affiliate bus at the
same reduced rate of $20.
- Seats will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
- No refunds or transfers will be issued.
6. Atlantic City Transportation Options
* “Convention Transportation Options” will be sent in a separate email.*
7. Convention Committees
A list of convention committees and contact information will be sent via
email and posted on the convention webpage.
Volunteer Committee, Nimisha Rana, is in full swing
8. Convention Camp
- Convention Camp will be offered during the state convention, subject
to interest and participation.
- A minimum of five children must be registered for Convention Camp to
take place.
- Families interested in Convention Camp must indicate this during the
pre-registration process.
- The cut-off date for Convention Camp registration will be September 30
and will not be available after the cut-off date of September 30.
- Registration details and rates will be sent directly to those who
express interest.
- Each child must be registered individually.
- Payment is required for each child, including any selected meal
options, during the Convention Camp registration process.
9. Daily Convention Schedule (October 21–25, 2026) Wednesday, October 21 –
Arrival and Registration
· Bus Arrival approximately 3 PM
· Pre-Registration packet pick-up will be available after hotel
check-in
· Meet our National Rep 7 to 8 PM
Thursday, October 22 – Opening and General Sessions
· Pre-Purchased Breakfast Buffet 6 to 7:30 AM
· Exhibit Hall 8 AM to 1 PM
· Resolutions Committee Meeting 8:00 AM
· Pre-Purchased Boxed Lunch *pick-up between noon and 12:30 PM *
· First-Timers Breakout Discussions; individuals will be responsible
for their lunch
· Technology Session 1:30 to 4:30 PM
· Pre-Purchased Pasta Bar 5 to 6:30 PM
· Cash Bar accepting credit/debit cards beginning at 5 PM
· Anniversary Costume Party 7:30 PM
Friday, October 23 – Workshops and Community Engagement
· Pre-Purchased Breakfast Buffet 6 to 7:30 AM
· Full day of General Session 9 AM & 1:30 PM
· Pre-Purchased Boxed Lunch *pick-up between noon and 12:30 PM *
· Breakout Lunch Sessions: NFB of NJ Silver Bells and two other TBD ;
individuals will be responsible for their lunch
· Cash Bar accepting credit/debit cards beginning at 5 PM
· Federation Family Meal 5:30 PM
· Auction 7 PM
· Entertainment 8 PM
Saturday, October 24 – General Session & Business Meeting and Celebration
· Pre-Purchased Breakfast Buffet 6 to 7:30 AM
· Morning General Session 9 AM
· Pre-Purchased Boxed Lunch *pick-up between noon and 12:30 PM *
· Breakout Lunch Session: POBC, Blind Professionals & Students;
individuals will be responsible for their lunch
· Afternoon General Session & Affiliate Business Meeting 1:30 PM
· Banquet 7:15 PM
Sunday, October 25 – Closing and Departure
· Pre-Purchased Breakfast Buffet 8 to 9:30 AM
· Focus Group
· Affiliate Bus departs at noon
10. Convention Survey
The NFB of NJ Convention Planning Committee wants to hear from you! As we
finalize the agenda for our 50th Anniversary, we welcome your suggestions
and your guidance on the convention elements most beneficial to you. The
survey will only take a few minutes. You can find it here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe_fbU0o_tGxesu_W6WOBFKavrLt8IYxeZmwjlbdK66DSGmZg/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=101322670853365633318
11. Additional Items
· Portions of the convention will be recorded and photographed
· No streaming available
· For the most up-to-date convention details, visit the affiliate
webpage at
https://nfbnj.org/state-convention
· Reach out to chapter presidents & vice presidents for assistance
and questions, including pre-registration assistance
· Send convention-related questions to convention at nfbnj.org
· NaviLens Signage will be available
Convention Kickoff Meeting
Join us for our *Convention Kickoff Meeting* on *Tuesday, September 29th at
7:00 PM*. This important session will set the stage for a successful and
engaging convention experience. We’ll review key details, share important
updates, and ensure everyone is informed and prepared.
*Get ready to bring our convention theme to life—together, we set the tone
for an unforgettable experience!*
*All convention attendees should make every effort to attend*—this is your
opportunity to get connected, ask questions, and be fully prepared for
what’s ahead.
--
Warmly,
Linda Melendez, President
National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey
Phone: 908-590-1747
Email: president at nfbnj.org
Website: www.nfbnj.org
Stay connected:
Events Calendar: https://nfbnj.org/events\
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/NFB-NJ-353099574776238
To set up a 30-minute meeting to talk about the National Federation of the
Blind of NJ, please click on the link below
https://calendly.com/lindamelendez220/30min
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