NFB Convention 1997

NFB Convention 1997

National Federation of the Blind

1997 Convention

Date: Sunday, June 29--Saturday, July 5.

Place: Hyatt Regency New Orleans, 500 Poydras Plaza, New

Orleans, Louisiana.

Hotel Reservations: For room reservations call the National

Center at (410) 659-9314 or write to National Convention,

National Federation of the Blind, 1800 Johnson Street,

Baltimore, Maryland 21230. Reservations will be taken on a

first come, first served basis, and no reservation will be

valid unless it has been made through the National Office of

the National Federation of the Blind. Reservations made

through the hotel are not valid and will not be honored. The

reason for this policy concerning reservations is that we have

only 1,100 rooms in the Hyatt Regency, so after the 1,100

rooms are gone, the overflow will be placed at another hotel.

In order to make the situation workable and to be certain that

we get the maximum number of rooms at the Hyatt, we are

handling reservations in the National Office of the

Federation.

Room Deposit: A $40 deposit is required when you make your

room reservation. Checks, money orders (made payable to:

National Federation of the Blind), and credit card numbers are

accepted. The credit card account will be charged immediately.

If a reservation is canceled prior to June 1, 1997, half of

the deposit will be returned. After that date deposits will

not be returned. Exceptions may be made in certain

demonstrated emergency situations.

Hotel Room Rates: One in a room, $40 per night; two in a room,

$42; three in a room, $44; and four in a room, $46. There is

also a tax of 11 percent plus $3 a night. There will be no

charge for children under 12 in a room with parents as long as

no extra bed is required. If you want to come a few days early

or stay a few days late, convention rates will apply. As in

years past, these room rates apply only for those who register

for the NFB Convention.

Convention Registration: Registration for the convention is

$10 per person and takes place throughout the convention

between Monday, June 30, and Saturday, July 5. We do not offer

pre-registration. You must register in person at the

convention. Anyone who does not register for the convention

will be required to pay regular hotel rates. Persons who

register are eligible for door prizes. Drawings for door

prizes are made throughout the general sessions and the

banquet.

Accommodations: The elegant Hyatt Regency New Orleans is

located just eight blocks from the French Quarter. It features

two towers--Poydras, with 27 floors; and Lenai, with 11

floors. The huge room on the third floor of the Poydras Tower

will easily accommodate both the general sessions and the

exhibit hall.

In addition to a swimming pool on the seventh floor, the

Hyatt also features several restaurants, cocktail lounges, and

a large shopping mall. A shuttle service to and from the

French Quarter will be provided to hotel guests during the

National Convention.

Convention Schedule:

Sunday, June 29--seminars for parents of blind children, blind

job seekers, and vendors and merchants; several other

workshops and meetings; and special activities for children

and youth.

Monday, June 30--convention registration, exhibit hall open

all day, first meeting of the Resolutions Committee, other

committees, and some of the divisions.

Tuesday, July 1--meeting of the Board of Directors (open to

all), division meetings (including the annual meeting of the

National Organization of Parents of Blind Children, 1:00 p.m.

to 5:00 p.m.), committee meetings, continuing registration,

and exhibit hall open all day.

Wednesday, July 2--opening general session, evening gala, and

evening IEP Workshop for Parents and Advocates.

Thursday, July 3--general sessions, tours (interesting ones

throughout the New Orleans area), and afternoon cane

travel/orientation and mobility workshops for parents and

kids.

Friday, July 4--general sessions and banquet.

Saturday, July 5--general sessions, adjournment.