** IVIE Convention Sneak Preview
Thanks to president and program chair Carla Hayes, IVIE has an excellent program planned during the upcoming ACB convention. Our events are open to members and non-members, so please come and meet IVIE members and network with us.
On Sunday, July 8, IVIE members have been invited to attend the RSVA Mixer from 10 p.m.-12 a.m. You will find this mixer listed under RSVA.
IVIE will hold its networking breakfast and business meeting on Monday, July 9, from 7:00-8:15 a.m. On Wednesday, July 11, our IVIE luncheon and program will be held from 12:15 to 2:30 p.m. The programming will begin with Michael McCarty, American Printing House for the Blind, speaking on the topic: "APH Products Which Can Help You with Your Business." Next, Bob Mueller, author, motivational speaker and columnist for "Woman's Day" magazine, will speak on the topic: "15 Ways to Get The Most out of Life." Then, we'll have a panel discussion called "Running Your Business out of Your Home: Pros, Cons, and Considerations." (We are looking for people who run businesses out of their homes to serve as panelists. If you would like to be a panelist for this presentation, please contact Carla Hayes at (724) 941-8184.)
On Thursday, July 12, from 12:30-2:30 p.m., IVIE will host the IVIE Expo, where blind and visually impaired business owners will showcase their products and services, as well as answer questions. Of course, browsing the expo is free, but if you would like to have a booth at the expo, the cost is $10 for IVIE members and $25 for non-members, with the option of putting $15 of this cost towards IVIE dues.
IVIE's annual dues, which are $15, are due July 1st or at convention. IVIE dues include a free listing on www.ivie-acb.org, our quarterly audio newsletter, and the ability to join our members-only listserv to exchange ideas. To sign up for a booth or pay your annual dues, you can either pay online at www.ivie-acb.orgor make checks payable to IVIE and send them along with your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, web site address (if you have one), name of business (if you have one), and your preferred format for "The Braille Forum" to our treasurer, Sila Miller, 2201 Limerick Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32309. Please designate whether your check is for IVIE dues, the expo booth, or both. If you have any questions, call Carla Hayes at (724) 941-8184. We look forward to seeing many of you!
** RSVA Convention Preview
The RSVA conference and convention starts on Saturday, July 7th, with committee meetings, followed by hospitality, which begins at 9 p.m. Saturday's hospitality is for RSVA members only.
On Sunday, July 8, the RSVA board of directors will have its pre-convention meeting at 10 a.m. We will break at noon so that members can attend the American Council of Blind Students' luncheon or have lunch on their own. Afternoon programming begins at 1:30 p.m. and ends at 4:30. At 4:30 p.m., the RSVA nominating committee will meet. RSVA will have its second hospitality on Sunday evening. This evening function is open to members of the Independent Visually Impaired Entrepreneurs and others in ACB.
RSVA will hold its annual awards luncheon, followed by the annual business meeting, on Monday, July 9th. That evening, RSVA will have its annual auction, followed by karaoke night. On Tuesday, July 10th, RSVA will hold its affiliate presidents' and board of directors' luncheon. On Tuesday evening, RSVA will host casino night. We hope many of you can attend the conference and enjoy the networking and entertainment. Complete programming will be included in the next issue of the Vendorscope and on the RSVA web sites, www.rsva.bizand www.Randolph-Sheppard.org.