<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Convention Bulletin 2024<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Rosen Centre Hotel at night.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>As difficult as it may be to believe that 2023 has slipped by us in the blink of an eye, we can be assured that a shiny new 2024 will follow on its heels.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>As we flip the calendar to January, it will again be time to plan for the National Federation of the Blind’s National Convention. We were last at the beautiful<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Rosen Centre in Orlando, at 9840 International Drive, in 2015 for our 75th anniversary convention. The outstanding Rosen staff will be rolling out the<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>red carpet to welcome us back this July 3 through 8.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Book Your Hotel<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our 2024 convention room rate for singles and doubles is $129; for triples and quads, the rate is $139. Occupancy taxes and surcharges are an additional<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>13.5 percent. There is no charge for children under eighteen as long as no extra bed is requested. Please note that the hotel is a no-smoking facility.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>For 2024 convention room reservations you should call the hotel at (800) 204-7234 after January 1. Ask for the “NFB Convention” block. At the time you<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>make a reservation, a $146 deposit is required for each room reserved. If you use a credit card, the deposit will be charged against your card immediately,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>just as would be the case with a $146 check. If a reservation is cancelled before Saturday, June 1, 2024, half of the deposit will be returned. Otherwise<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>refunds will not be made.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Guest room amenities include a wall-mounted 50” HDTV with a multi-outlet connectivity bar beneath to keep your devices charged and ready for the complimentary<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>in-room Wi-Fi. Each room also offers an in-room safe, coffeemaker, mini-fridge, and hairdryer. Guests can enjoy a swimming pool, fitness center, and on-site<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>spa. Those of you who have attended past conventions at the Rosen Centre may remember Café Gaugin buffet and the award-winning Everglades Restaurant. In<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>addition to these favorites, we will have an array of dining options from sushi and tapas to Caribbean-Cuban poolside dining to a 24-hour deli.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Convention Schedule<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The 2024 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=MsoNormal>to the goals and work of our movement.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>list of 5 items<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>• A wide range of seminars for parents of blind children, technology enthusiasts, job seekers, and other groups will kick the week off on Wednesday, July<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>3. Convention registration and registration packet pick-up will also open on Wednesday.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>• Breakout sessions continue on Thursday, July 4, along with committee meetings.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>• Friday, July 5, will kick off with the annual meeting, open to all, of the Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind. National division<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>meetings will follow the board meeting that afternoon and evening.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>• General convention sessions will begin on Saturday, July 6, and continue through the afternoon of Monday, July 8.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>• Convention ends on a high note with the banquet Monday evening, so be sure to pack your fancy clothes. The fall of the gavel at the close of banquet<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>will signal convention’s adjournment. Make plans now to be a part of it.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>list end<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>To assure yourself a room in the headquarters hotel at convention rates, you should make reservations early. The hotel will be ready to take your call<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>beginning January 1.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Request for Door Prizes<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Remember that as usual we need door prizes from state affiliates, local chapters, and individuals. Prizes should be small in size but large in value. Cash,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>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<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>will occur steadily throughout the convention sessions, and you can anticipate a grand prize of truly impressive proportions to be drawn at the banquet.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you have a prize that must be shipped in advance of the convention, please email affiliate president Paul Martinez at <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>president@nfbflorida.org<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> to make arrangements.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Countdown to Orlando<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>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=MsoNormal>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=MsoNormal>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 2024 National Convention.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We can’t wait to be with you in Orlando in July.<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>