Convention Bulletin 2000

Convention Bulletin 2000

Convention Bulletin 2000

It is time to plan for the 2000 convention of the National Federation of the Blind.

Last year's convention, also in Atlanta, was one of the very best we have ever

had—great hotel staffs, a truly impressive program and exhibits, and fellowship of

the highest order. More than 3,000 conventioneers can testify to the superb facilities and

the excellence and diversity of Atlanta's restaurants and entertainment.

The interior of the Atlanta Marriott Marquis

We will meet again this year at the Marriott

Marquis in downtown Atlanta. This hotel is truly a beautiful and spacious

world-class facility. Rooms have been reserved for us at the Marquis, the Atlanta Hilton

and Towers, and the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. The Marquis, with its 120,000 swuare

feefeet of meeting space and over 1,600 guest rooms, is perfect for our convention.

The Hilton and Towers and the Hyatt Regency each have over 1,200 elegantly furnished guest

rooms and a number of special guest services.Once again, our hotel rates at the Marquis

are the envy of all. For the 2000 convention they are singles, $57; doubles and twins,

$59; triples, &61; and quads, &63 In addition to the room rates there will be a

tax, which at present is 14 percent. There will be no charge for children in the

room with parents as long as no extra bed is requested.

For 2000 convention room reservations you should write directly to Atlanta Marriott

Marquis, 265 Peachtree Center Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, or call (404) 521-0000.

Marriott has a national toll-free number, but do not use it!. Reservations made

through this nationalnumber will not be valid. They must be made directly with the

hotel. The hotel will want a deposit of $60 or a credit card number. If a

credit card is used, the deposit will be charged against your card immediately, just as would be the case The

Atlanta Marriott Marquis

with a $60 check. If a reservation is cancelled prior to

June 4, 2000, $30 of the $60 deposit will be returned. Otherwise refunds will not be made.

We will meet again this year at the Marriott Marquis in downtown Atlanta. This hotel is

truly a beautiful and spacious world-class facility. Rooms have been reserved for us at

the Marquis, the Atlanta Hilton and Towers, and the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. The Marquis,

with its 120,000 square feet of meeting space and over 1,600 guest rooms, is perfect for

our convention. The Hilton and Towers and the Hyatt Regency each have over 1,200 elegantly

furnished guest rooms and a number of special guest services.

Once again, our hotel rates at the Marquis are the envy of all. For the 2000 convention

they are singles, $57; doubles and twins, $59; triples, $61; and quads, $63. In addition

to the room rates there will be a tax, which at present is 14 percent. There will be no

charge for children in the room with parents as long as no extra bed is requested.

For 2000 convention room reservations you should write directly to Atlanta Marriott

Marquis, 265 Peachtree Center Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, or call (404) 521-0000.

Marriott has a national toll-free number, but do not use it! Reservations made through

this national number will not be valid. They must be made directly with the hotel. The

hotel will want a deposit of $60 or a credit card number. If a credit card is used, the

deposit will be charged against your card immediately, just as would be the case with a

$60 check. If a reservation is cancelled prior to June 4, 2000, $30 of the $60 deposit

will be returned. Otherwise refunds will not be made.

The Marquis is a beautiful, fifty-story atrium hotel with a panoramic view of this

bustling city in the heart of the New South. It is twelve miles north of the

Atlanta-Hartsfield International Airport. Those driving to the convention will find the

hotel conveniently located off Interstate 85, by taking Exit 96, International Boulevard,

turning left onto International Boulevard, going to Peachtree Center Avenue, and turning

right. The hotel is on the right in the second block. There are three excellent

restaurants in the Marquis: Allie's American Grille, open for breakfast, lunch, and

dinner; Atrium Express, open for breakfast and lunch; and Marquis Steakhouse, open for

dinner only. Champions Sports Bar is open until 2:00 a.m. and serves lunch and dinner. The

hotel features indoor and outdoor pools, a solarium, health club, whirlpool, and sauna.

Rooms provide voice mail, telephone data ports, and complimentary in-room coffee.

The Atlanta Hilton and Towers

The Hilton and Towers combines a convenient location across Courtland

Street from the east door of the Marquis with superb accommodations and amenities. Rooms

are newly renovated, spacious, and luxurious, with rich cherry furnishings and a warm

atmosphere.

The Hyatt Regency Atlanta is one block west of the Marquis. Its round tinted

glass tower wing is a landmark on the Atlanta skyline. The Hyatt boasts an atrium lobby

and three restaurants, including a revolving restaurant on its roof.

Since all three hotels are in the heart of downtown Atlanta, Federationists attending

the convention will have access to a wealth of restaurants, shops, and other attractions

like Martin Luther King Center (1.5 miles), Underground Atlanta (0.8 mile), and Worls of

Coca-Cola (0.8 mile), See later issues of the Monitor for information on

tours and other outings into the Greater Atlanta area.

The 2000 convention of the National Federation of the Blind

will be a truly exciting and memorable event, with a program unparalleled, an exciting

city to explore, and a rededication to the goals and work of our movement. Make plans now

to be a part of it. The schedule this year is just a bit different from our usual one.

Pre-convention seminars for parents of blind children and other groups and set-up of the

exhibit hall will take place on Sunday, July 2, and adjournment will be Saturday, July 8,

at 5:00 p.m. To assure a room in one of the convention hotels at convention rates, you

must make reservations early. Convention registration will begin on Monday, July 3, and

both Monday and Tuesday will be filled with meetings of divisions and committees,

including the Tuesday morning annual meeting of the Board of Directors of the National

Federation of the Blind, which is open to all. General convention sessions begin on

Wednesday and continue through the afternoon of Saturday, July 8. The annual banquet will

take place on Friday evening, July 7.

The Hyatt Regency, Atlanta

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 general rule we

ask that prizes of any variety have a value of at least $25. Drawings will occur steadily

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 or

send them ahead of time to Roger Womble, 3966 Wildwood Lake Drive, S.W., Atlanta, Georgia

30331-4361.The best collection of exhibits, featuring new technology; meetings of our

special interest groups, committees, and divisions; memorable tours arranged by the host

Georgia affiliate; famous Southern hospitality; the most stimulating and provocative

program items of any meeting of the blind in the 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 2000 National Convention. Hotel reservations are now being accepted.

Make yours right away, and we'll see you in Atlanta in 2000!