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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoPlainText>Convention Bulletin 2023<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Hilton Americas-Houston Convention Center Hotel<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>There are plenty of reasons one might travel to Houston, Texas, the fourth most populous city in the United States. One might visit for the nearly three-week-long<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The city's vibrant arts scene boasts the largest concentration of theater seats outside of New York City. And no Houston<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>resident would let a visitor forget that the city is home to the 2022 World Series Champion Houston Astros. There is little question that Houston has a<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>great deal going for it. The city's real draw, however, is that it will play host to the National Federation of the Blind's 2023 National Convention.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>It has now been more than fifty years since the largest gathering of the organized blind last convened in Houston, Texas, and our return in 2023 will be<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>an event not to be missed. The Hilton Americas-Houston hotel (1600 Lamar Street, Houston, TX 77010) will serve as our convention headquarters hotel.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Situated<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>in the heart of downtown Houston across the street from the beautiful twelve-acre Discovery Green Park, the Hilton Americas is an ideal location for our<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>annual event. Ballrooms, breakout space, and sleeping rooms are all stacked in the same tower housed on a single city block, simplifying navigation and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>minimizing travel distances. In-room internet is complimentary to all attendees as is access to the health club and swimming pool on the 22nd floor. There<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>are several dining options on the hotel's lobby level (including a Starbucks for those of you requiring a caffeine fix) and many more choices within easy<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>walking distance from the Hilton's front door.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>The nightly rate at the Hilton Americas-Houston is $105 for singles, doubles, triples, and quads. In addition, the sales tax rate is 8.25 percent, and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>the hotel occupancy tax rate is 17 percent. To book your room for the 2023 convention, call 1-800-236-2905 after January 1 and ask for the "NFB Convention"<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>block. For each room, the hotel will take a deposit of the first night's room rate and taxes and will require a credit card or a personal check. If you<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>use a credit card, the deposit will be charged against your card immediately. If a reservation is cancelled before Monday, June 1, 2023, half of the deposit<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>will be returned. Otherwise refunds will not be made.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>We have also secured overflow space at the wonderful Marriott Marquis Houston. The Marriott is only a three-block walk directly across Discovery Green,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>or attendees can walk entirely indoors through the George R. Brown convention center, connecting both hotels on the second level. You will find many of<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>the same amenities at the Marriott as well as a Texas-shaped lazy river pool. The room rate at the Marriott Marquis is a slightly higher $119 per night<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>for singles, doubles, triples, and quads. To book a room, call<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>1-877-622-3056 after January 1. Again, ask for the "NFB Convention" block.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Similarly, the<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>same deposit and cancellation policies apply.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>The 2023 convention of the National Federation of the Blind will be a truly exciting and memorable event, with an unparalleled program and rededication<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>to the goals and work of our movement. A wide range of seminars for parents of blind children, technology enthusiasts, job seekers, and other groups will<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>kick the week off on Saturday, July 1. Convention registration and registration packet pick-up will also open on Saturday. Breakout sessions continue on<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Sunday along with committee meetings. Monday, July 3, will kick off with the annual meeting, open to all, of the Board of Directors of the National Federation<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>of the Blind. National division meetings will follow the board meeting that afternoon and evening. General convention sessions will begin on Tuesday, July<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>4, and continue through the afternoon of Thursday, July 6. Convention ends on a high note with the banquet Thursday evening so be sure to pack your fancy<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>clothes. The fall of the gavel at the close of banquet will signal convention's adjournment.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>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<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>in value. Cash, of course, is always appropriate and welcome. As a rule, we ask that prizes of all kinds have a value of at least $25 and not include alcohol.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Drawings will occur steadily throughout the convention sessions, and you can anticipate a Texas-sized grand prize to be drawn at the banquet. You may bring<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>door prizes with you to convention or send them in advance to the National Federation of the Blind of Texas at 1600 E Highway 6, Suite 215, Alvin, TX 77511.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>The best collection of exhibits featuring new technology; meetings of our special interest groups, committees, and divisions; the most stimulating and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>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<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>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 2023 National Convention.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>To assure yourself a room in the headquarters hotel at convention rates, make your reservations early. We plan to see you in Houston in July.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Do you have a smart phone, tablet ETC! How would you like to be able to look at your calendar on your phone for upcoming events for the NFB of SC? Are if you are at your desk and wondering do I have any events scheduled today for the NFB of SC? Well, we have something that you will really like! Below is a link to the NFB of SC Google Calendar that you can subscribe to for upcoming events without having to visit our fabulous NFB of SC website to check the Events Calendar. Below is the link in which you will need to subscribe to the Events Calendar on your smart phone or computer. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/nfbsouthcarolina%40gmail.com/private-4df60c862f41a1d9bf2e25ed4a6af1f2/basic.ics"><span style='color:blue'>https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/nfbsouthcarolina%40gmail.com/private-4df60c862f41a1d9bf2e25ed4a6af1f2/basic.ics</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>