Convention Bulletin 2026

The National Federation of the Blind’s National Convention brings together blind people from across the country and around the globe. We come from all walks of life. Some of us have been blind all our lives, while others may be new to blindness. Some are young, some have been around the sun more than a few times. Some are convention first-timers, while others have been attending for decades. Our patchwork of individual experiences makes us stronger together, and it means that our national conventions are a celebration of our diversity.

Over the course of eighty-five annual conventions, nearly three dozen cities reflecting similar diversity have played host to the NFB’s biggest event of the year. Yet, among this broad list of destinations, our convention has never come to the capital city of Texas to gather and celebrate. This will change next July when we head to the JW Marriott Austin for our annual National Convention!

Austin is widely known as the “Live Music Capital of the World,” having been home to the PBS program Austin City Limits for more than fifty years and host to the annual South by Southwest (SXSW) music and media festival. Austin also boasts a vibrant arts scene with many public art displays throughout the city. But Austin isn’t just fueled by creative energy. A strong technology sector thrives here, with many tech companies establishing headquarters in the city. Waymo and Tesla are two notable names, as both companies offer autonomous vehicle rides within Austin. The University of Texas at Austin, with over 50,000 students, sits just north of downtown. Visitors will notice an emphasis on local retailers over national chains. This broad and eclectic diversity perpetuates the popular “Keep Austin Weird” vibe and makes for a truly unique destination.

Our Convention Hotels

The upscale JW Marriott Austin will serve as our headquarters hotel and all convention events will take place here this July. As of this writing in mid-March, our block of sleeping rooms at the headquarters hotel is almost full. However, there are room blocks with plenty of space at several nearby hotels, including the recently opened Austin Marriott Downtown. The hotels are all within a couple blocks’ walk to the JW Marriott. Visit our convention webpage at nfb.org/convention and choose the Planning for Your Trip link to explore your options. 

Our 2026 convention hotel rate is $139 per night for singles and doubles. Triples and quads are available for $155 per night. Sales tax and a tourism fee total a combined 19.7 percent.

You may call 800-627-7468 to book your room at the Austin Marriott Downtown. Specify our room block code, BL1, to ensure you receive our convention room rate. For each room you book, the hotel requires a deposit of the first night’s room rate, taxes, and fees, payable by credit card or a personal check. If a reservation is cancelled before Sunday, June 1, 2026, half of the deposit will be returned. Refunds will not be issued after that date.

Registration

In-person registration for convention is now open. Registration costs $25 per person plus $85 per banquet ticket. Register early because prices go up if you register onsite in Austin. Registration includes the biggest event of the year, access to the mobile app, and communications on the latest news and events. Registration for the Convention Virtual Experience is also open. The Virtual Experience registration fee is $10. Virtual Experience registration includes access to the mobile app and the opportunity to win door prizes. Links to both registration forms are at nfb.org/convention.

Convention Schedule

The 2026 Convention of the National Federation of the Blind will be an exciting and memorable event, with an unparalleled program and renewed dedication to the goals and work of our movement.

• A wide range of seminars for parents of blind children, technology enthusiasts, job seekers, and other groups will kick the week off on Friday, July 3. Onsite registration and registration and packet pick-up will also open on Friday.
• Breakout sessions continue Saturday, July 4, along with committee meetings.
• Sunday, July 5, begins with the annual meeting, open to all, of the Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind. National division meetings will follow that afternoon and evening.
• General convention sessions will begin on Monday, July 6, and continue through noon on Wednesday, July 8. This year there will be no general session on Wednesday afternoon prior to the banquet; instead there will be more breakout sessions.
• Convention ends on a high note with the banquet Wednesday evening, so be sure to pack your fancy clothes. The fall of the gavel at the close of banquet will signal convention’s adjournment.

Make plans to be a part of it.

Request for Door Prizes

Remember that we need door prizes from state affiliates, local chapters, and individuals. Prizes should be small in size but significant in value. Cash, of course, is always appropriate and welcome. As a general rule, we ask that prizes have a value of at least $25 and do not include alcohol. Drawings take place throughout the convention sessions, and you can anticipate a grand prize of truly impressive proportions to be drawn at the banquet.
 
Important note for both in-person and virtual attendees: You must be registered to win a door prize!

First-Time Attendees

If you or members of your chapter are first-time attendees, please learn about convention through the First-Timer’s Guide available at nfb.org/convention.

Countdown to Austin

The best collection of exhibits featuring new technology; meetings of our special interest groups, committees, and divisions; the most stimulating and thought-provoking program items of any meeting of the blind in the world; the chance to renew friendships within our Federation family; and the unparalleled opportunity to be where the real action is and where decisions are made—all of these mean you will not want to miss being a part of the 2026 National Convention. We look forward to seeing you in Austin in July!