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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word;overflow-wrap: break-word;-webkit-nbsp-mode: space;line-break:after-white-space'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Helen:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>For what it’s worth, I tried calling the Sheraton a week or two ago (I prefer not to stay at the convention hotel) and was given a quote of $356 per night for the convention week. I quoted the $129 per night rate mentioned in the <i>Monitor</i>, but that made no difference. They gave me a different number that was supposed to be a national number and I called that and found it to be Marriott! I’m not aware that Marriott has swallowed Sheraton. And $356 is too steep a nightly rate to consider going. Any suggestions?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Jonathan Ice<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> Tall-Corn <tall-corn-bounces@nfbnet.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Helen Mejia via Tall-Corn<br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, February 12, 2025 2:11 PM<br><b>To:</b> NFB of Iowa Internet Mailing List <tall-corn@nfbnet.org><br><b>Cc:</b> Helen Mejia <hmejia@nfbi.org><br><b>Subject:</b> [Tall-Corn] Fwd: Convention Communications: Book Hotel & More<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Good afternoon,<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>Now is the time to make plans to attend this year’s convention in New Orleans. For any blind Iowan who has never attended a national NFB Convention before, funding is available from the IDB Gifts and Bequests fund. If you would like to learn more about Convention in general, or funding in particular, please reach out.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Helen<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>Helen Mejia, President<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>National Federation of the Blind<span class=apple-converted-space> </span>of Iowa<br>hmejia@nfbi.org<br>(570) 983-7867<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>Begin forwarded message:<o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif'>From: </span></b><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif'>National Federation of the Blind <webmaster@nfb.org></span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif'>Subject: Convention Communications: Book Hotel & More</span></b><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif'>Date: </span></b><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif'>February 12, 2025 at 1:09:04 PM CST</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif'>To: </span></b><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif'>Helen Mejia <hmejianfb@gmail.com></span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif'>Reply-To: </span></b><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif'>Bounces+r.24474.10942798.a2132656f3efdeb2@mailings.nfb.org</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='width:100.0%'><tr style='height:15.0pt'><td style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:15.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td valign=top style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=600 style='width:6.25in'><tr><td style='background:white;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in'><img width=100 height=100 style='width:1.0416in;height:1.0416in' id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:~WRD0000.jpg" alt="Image removed by sender. National Federation of the Blind logo and tagline live the life you want. A colorful illustration of Mardi Gras mask and beads. Text says, National Convention July 8 - 13, 2025 New Orleans."></span><o:p></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td style='background:white;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;border-color:initial'><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=left width=600 style='width:6.25in'><tr style='height:15.0pt'><td width="100%" valign=top style='width:100.0%;background:white;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:15.0pt'><h1><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Start Planning Your Trip for #NFB25</span><o:p></o:p></h1><p><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Join us for the 2025 National Federation of the Blind National Convention , July 8 through July 13, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana.</span><o:p></o:p></p><h2><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Book Your Hotel</span><o:p></o:p></h2><p><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>New Orleans Marriott<br>555 Canal Street<br>New Orleans, LA 70130</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>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. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Both hotels are offering a nightly rate of $119 for singles and doubles, and $129 for triples and quads. Occupancy taxes and and the tourism support rate are an additional 16.2 percent and note there is a hotel occupancy fee of $3 per night.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Reserve your room by calling 888-236-2427 for the Marriott New Orleans or 855-516-1090 for the Sheraton New Orleans. Ask for the “National Federation of the Blind 2025 Convention” block. At the time you make a reservation, a deposit of the first night’s stay is required for each room reserved. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>If you use a credit card, the deposit will be charged against your card immediately. If a reservation is cancelled before Sunday, June 1, 2025, half of the deposit will be returned. Otherwise, refunds will not be made.</span><o:p></o:p></p><h2><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Convention Season Schedule</span><o:p></o:p></h2><p><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>The following are important dates to know as you prepare to attend convention. </span><o:p></o:p></p><ul type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>January 1: Hotel open for reservations </span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>March 1: Convention registration opens</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>March 31: <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37491&qid=10942798">Scholarship application</a> closes</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>April 15: <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37492&qid=10942798">Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award application</a> and <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37493&qid=10942798">Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship application</a> closes</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>May 1: Deadline to submit nominations for the <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37494&qid=10942798">Blind Educator of the Year Award</a> and the <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37495&qid=10942798">Distinguished Educator of Blind Students Award</a></span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>July 8: Convention begins!</span><o:p></o:p></li></ul><h2><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship</span><o:p></o:p></h2><p><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>For first-time convention attendees, <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37496&qid=10942798">apply for the Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship</a>. Active members, blind or sighted, who have not yet attended an in-person NFB National Convention because of lack of funding are eligible to apply. <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37497&qid=10942798">Access the first-timer’s guide for details about convention</a>.</span><o:p></o:p></p><h2><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>About National Convention</span><o:p></o:p></h2><p><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>The National Federation of the Blind National Convention is the largest gathering of blind people in the world. It is the premier event for the blind community. It also serves as a governing body, democratically electing our leadership and establishing each year's organizational priorities. Learn more at <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37498&qid=10942798">nfb.org/convention</a>.</span><o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr style='height:6.0pt'><td style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:6.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><p class=MsoNormal><span style='display:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=600 style='width:6.25in;background:#002F6D'><tr style='height:45.0pt'><td width=135 style='width:101.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.0pt'></td><td width=55 style='width:41.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:white'><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37499&qid=10942798"><span style='border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=100 height=100 style='width:1.0416in;height:1.0416in' id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:~WRD0000.jpg" alt="Image removed by sender. Facebook Logo"></span></a></span><o:p></o:p></p></td><td width=55 style='width:41.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:white'><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37500&qid=10942798"><span style='border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=100 height=100 style='width:1.0416in;height:1.0416in' id="Picture_x0020_3" src="cid:~WRD0000.jpg" alt="Image removed by sender. Twitter Logo"></span></a></span><o:p></o:p></p></td><td width=55 style='width:41.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:white'><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37501&qid=10942798"><span style='border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=100 height=100 style='width:1.0416in;height:1.0416in' id="Picture_x0020_4" src="cid:~WRD0000.jpg" alt="Image removed by sender. Instagram Logo"></span></a></span><o:p></o:p></p></td><td width=55 style='width:41.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:white'><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37502&qid=10942798"><span style='border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=100 height=100 style='width:1.0416in;height:1.0416in' id="Picture_x0020_5" src="cid:~WRD0000.jpg" alt="Image removed by sender. YouTube Logo"></span></a></span><o:p></o:p></p></td><td width=55 style='width:41.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:white'><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37503&qid=10942798"><span style='border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=100 height=100 style='width:1.0416in;height:1.0416in' id="Picture_x0020_6" src="cid:~WRD0000.jpg" alt="Image removed by sender. Email Icon Image"></span></a></span><o:p></o:p></p></td><td width=55 style='width:41.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:white'><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37504&qid=10942798"><span style='border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=100 height=100 style='width:1.0416in;height:1.0416in' id="Picture_x0020_7" src="cid:~WRD0000.jpg" alt="Image removed by sender. Donate to the NFB Icon."></span></a></span><o:p></o:p></p></td><td width=135 style='width:101.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.0pt'></td></tr><tr style='height:18.75pt'><td colspan=8 style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:18.75pt'><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:white'>National Federation of the Blind | 200 E Wells Street | Baltimore, MD 21230 | 410-659-9314 <o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr style='height:18.75pt'><td colspan=8 style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:18.75pt'><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:white'><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/unsubscribe?reset=1&jid=24474&qid=10942798&h=a2132656f3efdeb2" title=Unsubscribe><span style='color:white'>Unsubscribe from this mailing list</span></a> | <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/optout?reset=1&jid=24474&qid=10942798&h=a2132656f3efdeb2" title="Opt Out"><span style='color:white'>Opt out of all mailing lists</span></a> | <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37505&qid=10942798" title="Sign up for email newsletter"><span style='color:white'>Sign up for our newsletter</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan=8 style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><div><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span class=street-address><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:white'>200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place</span></b></span><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:white'><br><span class=locality>Baltimore</span><span class=adr>, </span><span class=region>MD</span><span class=adr> </span><span class=postal-code>21230</span><br><span class=country-name>United States</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></div><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:white'>.. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr></table></div><p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=1 height=1 style='width:.0104in;height:.0104in' id="Picture_x0020_8" src="cid:image001.gif@01DB7D98.FE332FB0"><img border=0 width=1 height=1 style='width:.0104in;height:.0104in' id="Picture_x0020_9" src="cid:image001.gif@01DB7D98.FE332FB0"><o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></div></body></html>