Convention Bulletin 2004

Convention Bulletin 2004

The Braille Monitor

December,

2003

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Convention Bulletin

2004

The

Atlanta Marriott Marquis Hotel

It is time to plan for

the 2004 convention of the National Federation of the Blind. This year we are

returning to Atlanta and the beautiful Marriott Marquis Hotel, site of the 1999

and 2000 conventions.

Once

again our hotel rates are the envy of all. For the 2004 convention they are

singles, doubles, and twins, $59; and triples and quads, $65. In addition to

the room rates there will be a tax, which at present is 14 percent. No charge

will be made for children fifteen and under in the room with parents as long

as no extra bed is requested.

For

2004 convention room reservations you should write directly to the Marriott

Marquis, 265 Peachtree Center Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, or call (404)

521-0000. The hotel will want a deposit of $60 or a credit card number. If you

use a credit card, 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 1, 2004, $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. The

Marriott has three excellent restaurants: 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. Guest-room amenities include

cable television, coffee pot, iron and ironing board, hair drier, and dataport.

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 World of Coca-Cola (0.8 mile). See later issues of the

Monitor for information about tours and other attractions in the Greater

Atlanta area.

The

2004 convention of the National Federation of the Blind will be a truly exciting

and memorable event, with an unparalleled program and rededication to the goals

and work of our movement. Make plans now to be a part of it. The schedule this

year is a bit unusual. Preconvention seminars for parents of blind children

and other groups and set-up of the exhibit hall will take place on Tuesday,

June 29, and adjournment will be Monday, July 5, at 5:00 p.m. Convention registration

will begin on Wednesday, June 30, and both Wednesday and Thursday will be filled

with meetings of divisions and committees, including the Thursday morning annual

meeting, open to all, of the board of directors of the National Federation of

the Blind.

General

convention sessions begin on Friday, July 2, and continue through the afternoon

of Monday, July 5. The annual banquet will take place on Sunday evening, July

4. 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 all kinds 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 Thelma Godwin, 1705 Paradise Drive,

N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30307.

The best collection of

exhibits, featuring new technology; meetings of our special interest groups,

committees, and divisions; memorable tours arranged by the Georgia 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 2004 national convention. We'll see you in Atlanta in 2004!

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