by Janet Dickelman
After the conclusion of the 2022 ACB conference and convention, and after many engaging calls with special-interest affiliates, ACB committees, vendors, and our convention attendees, one of the issues that was brought up was the length of the convention. People enjoyed the Zoom-only days prior to the hybrid convention; however, they did not like the Zoom days afterward. Most people wanted the convention to formally end with our banquet, to enjoy the final Friday tour and say farewell to the convention for the year. We listened to all your suggestions and feel that we have a plan that will appeal to everyone! All times listed below are Central time.
The following is a list of events that will be held virtually:
Wednesday, June 14
7 p.m.: Candidates’ Forum
Saturday, June 17
Don’t miss our hugely popular virtual summer auction!
Monday, June 19
7 p.m.: Call to order, standing rules, first credentials report and first reading of constitution and bylaws report
7:30 p.m.: Nominating Committee
Tuesday, June 20
7 p.m.: Begin discussion on resolutions
Wednesday, June 21
10 a.m.-noon: Exhibitor open house
7 p.m.: Continuation of resolutions discussion
Thursday, June 22:
10 a.m. until 6:45 p.m.: Virtual only programming: affiliate business meetings, ACB committee, special-interest affiliate and business partner sessions
7 p.m.: Continuation of resolutions discussion
Friday, June 23
10 a.m. until 6:45 p.m.: Virtual-only programming: affiliate business meetings, ACB committee, special-interest affiliate and business partner sessions
7 p.m.: Continuation of resolutions discussion
Saturday, June 24
10 a.m. until 6:45 p.m.: Virtual-only programming: affiliate business meetings, ACB committee, special-interest affiliate and business partner sessions
7 p.m.: We’ll hold an event of great interest to all, which is still in the planning stages.
In-Person Convention
Committees, special-interest affiliates and business partners may hold events in Schaumburg from Friday, June 30 through Wednesday, July 5. During session times we will have two hybrid rooms, offer two Zoom-only sessions, and provide space for other sessions that are in-person only. In-person only sessions (excluding mixers and other purely social events) can be recorded by ACB and will be available as podcasts, but they will not have Zoom capability. We will hold up to 6 concurrent sessions.
General Sessions
Opening general session will be held on Saturday, July 1 at 7 p.m. On Sunday, July 2 from 9 to 11:30 a.m., there will be two breakout sessions determined by the advocacy steering committee. These sessions will both be hybrid.
Daily general sessions will be held Monday through Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to noon; and Thursday from 8:30 to 1 p.m.
Officer Elections
On Saturday evening, July 1, we will open with election for president; voting for the first contested election will be Sunday afternoon, with affiliate roll call on Monday morning. We will continue with this election pattern until all 5 officers are elected.
Resolutions and Bylaws
Individual voting for any contested resolutions and bylaws will be held Wednesday, July 5, from 2 to 6 p.m. Affiliate roll call will be held Thursday morning, July 6.
Exhibit Hall
New this year: we will have evening hours in the exhibit hall! Exhibits will open on Saturday from 1-5 p.m., Sunday 3-9 p.m., Monday and Tuesday 11 a.m.-5 p.m., and Wednesday 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Hotel Details
Room rates at the Renaissance are $98 per night double occupancy (with an additional $10 per person for up to four people), plus tax, which is currently 15%. To make reservations online, visit https://book.passkey.com/go/AmericanCounciloftheBlind2023.
For telephone reservations, call 1-800-468-3571. This is a central reservations number, so please indicate you are with the American Council of the Blind 2023 conference and convention at the Renaissance Hotel in Schaumburg, Ill.
Staying in Touch
The convention list will be filled with information. To subscribe, send a blank e-mail to [email protected]. If you received updates for the 2022 convention, you do not need to re-subscribe.
Convention Contacts
2023 exhibit information: Michael Smitherman, (601) 331-7740, [email protected]
2023 sponsorship opportunities: [email protected], or contact Eric Bridges or Clark Rachfal at (202) 467-5081.
For any other convention-related questions, please contact Janet Dickelman, convention chair, (651) 428-5059 or via e-mail, [email protected].