[Ohio-Talk] Braille Monitor: The 2022 National Convention: It's Time to Start Our Planning by John Berggren

[Suzanne Turner]

>From the Editor: John Berggren is the coordinator of Convention Organization
and Activities. He is also a member of our national staff at the Jernigan
Institute and handles more than any one person should be expected to do with
competence and kindness second to none. Here is his annual convention
update:

An idiom dating back to the 1800s tells us the "third time's the charm."
After two years of pandemic, quarantine, and virtual conventions, we are
counting on a healthy dose of charm. Our virtual conventions were successful
beyond expectations, but it has been far too long since we have had the
opportunity to gather in one place and experience the power and strength of
the Federation in person. We intend to do just that when we convene in New
Orleans next summer for the National Federation of the Blind's 2022 National
Convention.

Those of you who are longtime Federation convention goers may recall our
1997 convention when we were last in New Orleans. We set our current
in-person attendance record that year. Wouldn't you like to be part of the
next attendance record? Mark your calendar for January 1 with a note to make
your reservation for our triumphant return to normal-ish.

The Marriott New Orleans will serve as our headquarters hotel while right
across the street is the Sheraton New Orleans providing the balance of our
sleeping rooms and activity space. The hotels sit astride the storied Canal
Street at 555 and 500 Canal Street respectively, only blocks from the mighty
Mississippi River and even closer to the historic French Quarter. Both
hotels offer a range of dining options as well as fitness centers. You'll
find a rooftop pool at the Marriott while the Sheraton features a Starbuck's
in its atrium lobby.

The nightly rate for both the Marriott and the Sheraton is $109 for singles
and doubles. Triples and quads can be booked for $119 per night. In
addition, the combined sales tax and tourism support rate is 16.2 percent,
and there is a hotel occupancy fee of $3.00 per night. To book your room for
the 2022 convention, call 1- 800-654-3990 after January 1. For each room,
the hotel will take a deposit of the first night's room rate, taxes, and
fees 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 Monday, June 1, 2022, half of the deposit
will be returned. Refunds will not be issued for cancellations made beyond
that date.

The 2022 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. The action begins on Tuesday, July 5
and will conclude on Sunday, July 10 when the gavel falls at the conclusion
of the banquet. The agenda will again be chockfull of seminars, committee
and division meetings, and other breakout sessions. Open to all, the
National Federation of the Blind's Board of Directors will hold its annual
meeting. General convention sessions will be filled with informative and
inspirational presentations. And of course, attendees can look forward to
exploring the exhibit hall and capping the week off with the banquet. 

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
rule, we ask that prizes of all kinds have a value of at least $25 and not
include alcohol. Drawings will occur 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 to convention or send
them in advance to Tammy Green of Louisiana's Greater New Orleans Chapter at
4401 Kennon Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70122.

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 2022
National Convention. To assure yourself a room in the headquarters hotel at
convention rates, make your reservations early. We plan to see you in New
Orleans in July.

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