[Nfbofsc] Convention Bulletin 2019

Sat Dec 8 14:44:26 UTC 2018

Convention Bulletin 2019 by John Berggren We are now in the season for
office parties, Christmas shopping, and holiday cheer. While dreams of sugar
plums may be dancing in your head, however, it's not too early to begin
thinking about the warmer weather and the summer months. While July may seem
on the distant horizon, it's time to plan for one of our most exciting
events of the year. I'm talking, of course, about our 2019 National
Convention. For the first time in our history, the largest annual gathering
of the organized blind will be in Las Vegas, Nevada. We are excited to be
hosting our convention at the beautiful Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino (3950
S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, Nevada 89119). As is the case every year, we
have once again arranged for exceptional room rates. Unlike in years past,
the same enviable rate of $99 per night applies to singles and doubles as
well as triples and quads. Hotel and sales taxes are 13.38 percent and 8.25
percent, respectively. The resort fee (normally $37 a night) will be waived
for NFB convention attendees. However, fees for internet access, local and
toll-free calls, and fitness center access may apply. To make reservations
for the 2019 convention, you can call the hotel at 877-632-7800 after
January 1. The hotel will take a deposit of the first night's room rate for
each room and will require a credit card or a personal check. If you use a
credit card, the deposit will be charged against your card immediately. If a
reservation is cancelled before Friday, June 1, 2019, half of the deposit
will be returned. Otherwise refunds will not be made. Situated at the
beginning of the world-famous Las Vegas strip, Mandalay Bay Resort and
Casino is a short trip from Las Vegas' McCarran International Airport. The
hotel has more than two dozen restaurants for guests to enjoy. Among its
features is an aquatic playground called Mandalay Bay Beach which has real
sand, a wave pool, and a lazy river. The hotel is also home to an aquarium
with more than 2,000 animals including sharks, green sea turtles, and a
Komodo dragon. Plus, it offers top-notch entertainment including Michael
Jackson ONE by Cirque du Soleil. The 2019 convention of the National
Federation of the Blind will be a truly exciting and memorable event, with
an unparalleled program and rededication to the goals and work of our
movement. Make plans now to be a part of it. Preconvention seminars for
parents of blind children and other groups and set-up of the exhibit hall
will take place on Sunday, July 7, and adjournment will be Friday, July 12,
following the banquet. Convention registration and registration packet
pick-up will begin on Monday, July 8, and both Monday and Tuesday will be
filled with meetings of divisions and committees, including the Tuesday
morning's annual meeting, open to all, of the Board of Directors of the
National Federation of the Blind. General convention sessions will begin on
Wednesday, July 10, and continue through the banquet on Friday, July 12.
Remember that as usual we need door prizes from state affiliates, local
chapters, and individuals. Once again prizes should be small in size but
large in value. Cash, of course, is always appropriate and welcome. As a
general rule we ask that prizes of all kinds have a value of at least $25
and not include alcohol. Drawings will occur steadily throughout the
convention sessions, and you can anticipate a grand prize of truly
impressive proportions to be drawn at the banquet. You may bring door prizes
with you or send them ahead of time to Terri Rupp, 10587 Santerno Street,
Las Vegas, Nevada 89141. The best collection of exhibits featuring new
technology; meetings of our special interest groups, committees, and
divisions; the most stimulating and provocative program items of any meeting
of the blind in the world; the chance to renew friendships in our Federation
family; and the unparalleled opportunity to be where the real action is and
where decisions are being made-all of these mean you will not want to miss
being a part of the 2019 National Convention. To assure yourself a room in
the headquarters hotel at convention rates, make your reservations early. We
plan to see you in Las Vegas in July.

Steve Cook

District 2 State Board Member of the NFB of SC

1st Vice President of the Computer Science & Technology Division of the NFB
of SC

1st Vice President of the Columbia Chapter of the NFB of SC

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