Convention Bulletin 2001

Convention Bulletin 2001

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The Braille Monitor – December, 2000 Edition

Convention Bulletin 2001
It is time to plan for the 2001 convention of the National Federation of the
Blind. This year we will be gathering in Philadelphia, the city of brotherly
love and home of the Declaration of Independence and the Liberty Bell. It will
be a memorable place for celebrating the Fourth of July.

The main entrance to the
Philadelphia Marriott Hotel.

We will again enjoy the hospitality of a Marriott hotel. This one is the Philadelphia
Marriott, and from all reports it is beautiful and beautifully appointed. Once
again, our hotel rates are the envy of all. For the 2001 convention they are
singles, $55and doubles, twins, triples, and quads, $65. In addition to the
room rates there will be a tax, which at present is 14 percent. There will be
no charge for children eleven and under in the room with parents as long as
no extra bed is requested.

For 2001 convention room reservations you should write directly to the Philadelphia
Marriott, 1201 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, or call (215)
625-2900. Marriott has a national toll-free number, which for the first time
ever you will be able to use to make your room reservations. This number is
(800) 228-9290. 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 May 29, 2001, $30 of the $60 deposit will be returned. Otherwise refunds
will not be made.

The Philadelphia Marriott has 170,000 square feet of meeting space and more
than 1400 rooms on twenty-three floors. Guest-room amenities include cable television,
coffee pot, iron and ironing board, hair drier, and dataport. You will also
enjoy a health club, indoor pool, sauna, and whirlpool. The usual valet service
is available, but a self-service laundry is also on the premises.

Three of the four excellent restaurants will seem familiar, though even better,
to those who visited the Marriott Marquis in Atlanta: Allie's American Grille,
open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; the J.W. Steakhouse, open for dinner
only, and Champions Sports Bar with snacks and relatively light fare late into
the evening. Starbuck's is also on hand providing light fare and good coffee
at all three meal times. See later issues of the Monitor for information
on tours and other outings into the Greater Philadelphia area.

The 2001 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 close to 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 1, and adjournment will be Saturday, July
7, at 5:00 p.m. Convention registration will begin on Monday, July 2, 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 7. The
annual banquet will take place on Friday evening, July 6. To assure yourself
a room in the headquarters hotel at convention rates, you must make reservations
early. The hotel will be ready to take your call or deal with your written request
by January 1.

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 (identifying the item and donor
and listing the value in print and Braille) to NFB of Pennsylvania, 42 S. 15th
Street, Suite 222, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102-2206.

The best collection of exhibits, featuring new technology; meetings of our
special interest groups, committees, and divisions; memorable tours arranged
by the host Pennsylvania affiliate; 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 2001 National Convention. We'll see you in
Philadelphia in 2001!

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