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PROGRAM INFORMATION
EXHIBITORS &
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PLACE The Galt House Hotel
DATES July 2 through July 8, 2005
EXPECTED ATTENDANCE
Over 3,000 persons from all fifty states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico,
and numerous foreign countries. Most of those attending will be blind.
PROGRAM
The annual national conventions give government representatives, agency administrators,
and leaders in politics, business, and industry the opportunity to address and
respond to a sizable nationwide audience primarily of individuals who are blind
and visually impaired. The topics of interest include relevant civil rights
issues, rehabilitation of the blind for competitive employment, the operation
of vending facilities by blind persons on public property, opportunities and
rights for blind employees, specialized library services for the blind, Social
Security and Supplemental Security Income programs, advancements in technology,
and other timely topics. Legislative proposals, new laws, administrative policy,
and program changes are all considered during the convention.
BANQUET
The convention includes a banquet with over 2,500 in attendance to be held at
The Galt House Hotel beginning at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, July 7th. The program
for the evening will feature an address by NFB President, Marc Maurer. The banquet
is the convention's high point since the President in his address reviews our
past accomplishments, our present status, and our future prospects. The NFB
President's annual banquet addresses are stirring and highly regarded. Several
have been published in Vital Speeches of the Day. The banquet program will also
include presentations of over $100,000 in scholarships and awards.
CONVENTION SPONSORSHIP
Corporate sponsorship of the annual NFB convention is an important feature of
the event. Corporations interested in assisting the NFB with the convention
by making a Title Sponsor contribution of $25,000, Platinum Sponsor contribution
of $15,000, Gold Sponsor contribution of $10,000 or a Silver Sponsor contribution
of $5,000 will be acknowledged in several ways throughout the convention week.
An Exhibit Hall-only sponsorship is available for a contribution of $2,500.
A portion of each sponsorship will be used to support the NFB's national scholarship
fund. Past sponsors have included: Bank of America, The Coca-Cola Company, Freedom
Scientific, IBM, Marriott Worldwide Reservations, Microsoft, NASA, Roche Diagnostics,
United Parcel Service, and VisuAide. For more information, contact Jerry L.
Lazarus, Director of Special Projects, NFB; telephone 410-659-9314, extension
2297; or email <jlazarus@nfb.org>.
PRE-CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS
Saturday, July 2
Concurrent pre-convention seminars
· Seminar for parents of blind children sponsored by the National Organization
of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC)
· Numerous access technology seminars sponsored by specialized vendors
and experts in the field
· Employment seminars
· Orientation and Mobility Seminar, sponsored by the National Blindness
Professional Certification Board and the Institute on Blindness of Louisiana
Technological University
Sunday, July 3
9:00 a.m. Registration begins
9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Exhibit Hall open (also open throughout the week at times
when General Sessions are adjourned)
1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Resolutions Committee
Monday, July 4
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. NFB Board of Directors Meeting
1:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Divisions and other meetings, concurrent sessions
GENERAL CONVENTION SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS
Tuesday, July 5
9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. General Session begins, opening ceremony and roll call
of states (During general sessions attendees sit with their state delegations
much like a political convention.)
2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. General Session, Presidential Report, and guest speakers
8:00 p.m. Social activities and committee meetings
Wednesday, July 6
7:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. Community Partnership Breakfast
(sponsors and invited guests)
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. General Session
12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Tours and committee meetings
Thursday, July 7
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. General Session
2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. General Session
7:00 p.m. Banquet
Friday, July 8
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. General Session
2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. General Session, conclusion of the convention
BACKGROUND
The 2005 convention will be the largest meeting of the blind (or of persons
with disabilities themselves) to be held anywhere in the world. All states,
the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico will be well represented. Leaders
among the blind will attend from foreign countries. The convention is the supreme
authority and policy?making body of the National Federation of the Blind. Resolutions
and policy statements will be considered in plenary sessions throughout the
week. Decisions in the Federation are made by the blind themselves. NFB's elected
leaders at all levels (local, state, and national) are blind, as is the vast
majority of the membership. NFB is thus the collective Voice of the Nation's
Blind.
REGISTRATION
All attending are encouraged to register. The registration fee is $15, and registration
will open Sunday morning, July 3, at 9:00 a.m. At that time those registering
will receive a convention agenda in print, Braille, or disk format. Pre-convention
agendas will be available prior to Sunday at the NFB of Kentucky desk in the
lobby area of The Galt House Hotel.
HOTEL RATES
The schedule of room rates, special for those attending and registering at the
National Federation of the Blind convention, will be as follows: single, double,
and twin rooms, $59; triples and quads, $64 a night. All charges are subject
to a sales/room tax of 13.95 percent.
MORE INFORMATION
Additional information as to meetings, schedule, hotel, etc., may be obtained
by contacting the National Federation of the Blind's National Office at 1800
Johnson Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21230; telephone 410-659-9314; and Web site
www.nfb.org.
