by Janet Dickelman
Isn't it amazing how quickly time flies? After such a wonderful convention in lovely Sparks, plans have already begun for 2012 in Louisville!
By the time you read this article, several members of the convention committee will have visited the Galt House. We will meet with the host committee and begin the process of obtaining sponsorships, recruiting volunteers and visiting locations for potential tours. For those of you who have already asked, yes, we'll most likely have a tour to Maker's Mark and will definitely visit APH.
As many of you know, Carla Ruschival has left her duties as convention coordinator and I've been named as her replacement. Carla has promised she will remain active in convention planning and available to answer my numerous questions. I'm honored to be selected and am willing and open to your suggestions, criticisms, inquiries and hopefully compliments!
Fortunately, the convention committee will remain virtually the same. I'm really pleased about that since hopefully you've all noticed the convention committee works very well together to ensure that your time at the ACB convention and conference goes as smoothly as possible.
Michael Fulghum, tour coordinator
Michael Smitherman, exhibits
Sally Benjamin, volunteers
Margarine Beaman, sponsorship and advertising
Bruce Radtke, committee go-to person for any task that needs to be handled
Our newest committee member is the immediate past president of our Utah affiliate, Cindi Vega, who will be the information desk coordinator. Cindi has volunteered at the desk numerous times and will do an excellent job.
The 2012 convention dates are Friday, July 6th through Saturday, July 14th. We will be at the historic Galt House Hotel which many of you remember from 2000 and 2008. There are two towers in the hotel; the West Tower has standard rooms for $85 single/double occupancy, and the East Tower has one-bedroom suites for $105 single-double occupancy.
Reservations for the convention can be made by phone by calling: 1-800-THEGALT or 1-800-843-4258. Callers should be sure to stipulate that they are with the American Council of the Blind when they call for reservations.
For additional convention information, call the ACB national office at (202) 467-5081 or 1-800-424-8666, or contact Janet Dickelman, (651) 428-5059 or by e-mail at [email protected].