by Janet Dickelman
The American Council of the Blind conference and convention is fast approaching. Starting later this month, I’ll begin posting convention previews to the e-mail lists. They will also be aired on ACB Radio for those of you who don’t have e-mail access. May and June’s Forum articles will be filled with information regarding convention programming. Convention dates are July 1st through the 9th, and the place to be is the Hyatt Regency in Minneapolis!
Registration Details
It is almost time to register for the 2016 convention. Online registration will open on May 19th and close on June 22nd. Registration prior to the convention is easy and saves time. The earlier you register, the better chance you have of booking tours and attending workshops that have limited availability.
Once again this year, thanks to our generous corporate sponsorships, convention registration will be $15 pre-registration and $25 at the convention. A one-page mailer will be distributed providing registration details prior to the opening of registration. If your e-mail address is in the ACB database, you will receive the mailer via e-mail; otherwise it will be sent to you via surface mail. The information will also be posted on the acbconvention, leadership, and ACB-L e-mail lists.
Once registration opens on May 19th, there are several ways you can register.
- Register online by visiting www.acbconvention.org
- We have a new registration web site. This means you will need to set up a new username and password. However, once you have established your new profile, it can be used for other member services in the future.
- You can also register via telephone. When you call the registration line, 1-800-866-3242, you will be asked to leave a message with your contact information. One of our registration experts will return your call as quickly as possible. Please keep in mind that individuals completing registration forms are volunteers. The registration cadre is very conscientious, but it may take them a few days to return your call. It is very important that you provide accurate contact information, including your phone number, time zone, and the best times to reach you.
- Paper registration forms WILL NOT be sent unless requested. If you would like a paper registration form, request it from ACB’s Minnesota office by calling (612) 332-3242 before May 1. Forms will be sent via first-class mail when pre-registration opens on May 19th.
Registration at the Convention
This year registration in Minneapolis will open on Friday, July 1st. If you are taking the tour on Friday morning, don’t worry. Your name will be on a list, and you can get your tour ticket when you board the bus.
We plan another registration change that we think will really improve the registration process. Starting Friday, July 1st, and running through Sunday, July 3rd, registration will be open from 8 to 11 a.m. for pre-registration pick-up only. Only those who registered prior to June 22nd can obtain their registration packets between the hours of 8 and 11 a.m. This will shorten wait times in registration for those of you who completed pre-registration. After 11 a.m., registration will be open for individuals to pick up their registration packages and also for people who have not yet registered. Monday through Friday registration will be open all day for both pre-registration pickup and initial registrations.
Stay Connected
Once again this year, the convention announce list will be filled with information about the convention. Subscribe to the list today by sending a blank e-mail to [email protected]. If you’ve been on the list in the past, you need not subscribe again.
Don’t have e-mail? No problem! Convention updates will also be featured on ACB Radio and by telephone through Audio Now at (605) 475-8130.
Hotel Details
Room rates at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis are $89 single or double. There is an additional $10 per night charge per person for up to four people in a room. Applicable state and local taxes are currently 13.4%. For reservations by telephone, call Central Reservations at 1-888-421-1442, and make sure to mention you are attending the ACB convention in order to obtain our room rate. To make reservations online, visit www.acb.org and follow the 2016 convention link.
Convention Contacts
2016 exhibit information:
Michael Smitherman, (601) 331-7740, [email protected]
2016 advertising and sponsorships:
Margarine Beaman, (512) 921-1625, [email protected]
For any other convention-related questions, contact Janet Dickelman, convention chair, at (651) 428-5059, or via e-mail, [email protected].