by Janet Dickelman
It is hard to believe that, as you read this, registration for the 2024 ACB conference and convention is just around the corner!
In-person/hybrid dates are July 5th through 12th, with Zoom-only sessions being held June 27 through 29.
Don’t miss the virtual-only ACB Summer Auction on June 22 (preceded by two days of appetizer auctions), and the official call to order via Zoom on June 24 with the reading of the convention standing rules and the first credentials report.
Pre-Registration Details
Registration will open for ACB members on Monday, May 13th at 8 a.m. Eastern time. On May 20th, registration will open for non-ACB members.
Registration costs for ACB members will be $40. Non-members will be charged $55, but will have the option of joining ACB as a member at large for $10 and then paying the $40 registration fee. If you’re registering on-site, it costs an additional $10.
Registration will close on Monday, June 17 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time. You may also register during the convention.
To register, you must login to your member account at https://members.acb.org/. If you do not remember your login and password, you may select “password reset” or call the Minneapolis office at (612) 332-3242. Once logged in to the members site, select the link labeled “convention.”
- If you have not created a member account at https://members.acb.org/, select the link labeled “Create an Account” and provide the information requested. After creating an account, you can log in, but it may take up to 24 business hours before you will be able to complete a convention registration, as the Minneapolis office needs to link your member account to our database.
- If you need assistance in registering, telephone registration will be available by calling Janet Dickelman at (651) 428-5059.
- Once you have selected the “ACB Convention” link on the members main page, it will open on an introduction page you should read, then proceed to your preferences page. Please verify your contact information shown. On this page you will also select whether you will be attending the convention virtually or in-person. If you choose to be a virtual attendee, you will not be shown sessions that are only available to in-person attendees (tours, for example). If you choose to be an in-person attendee, you will be shown all virtual and in-person sessions.
If you are attending the convention in person, you can pick up your registration materials starting Thursday evening, July 4th.
If you are attending virtually and wish to receive the convention program in either braille or large print, it will be sent to your home address. If you are a virtual attendee requesting a print or braille program, you must register prior to June 1st.
If you are joining us in Jacksonville, you will receive the program when you pick up your registration materials. All registrants will receive Zoom links for the Zoom-only events.
Planning to take a tour? Please read very carefully the tour description. Many of our tours require a lot of walking and/or standing. If this is difficult for you to do, please consider not taking the tour. Your health and comfort are very important to us. If you can’t keep up with the group, there aren’t options to stop or rest. If you require the use of a wheelchair to attend a tour, you must bring someone with you who will push your chair. That person must also register for the tour. Our volunteers are not able to assist as wheelchair pushers. Also, if you are more comfortable having your own guide, you might consider attending the tour with a friend or family member. We generally have one volunteer to assist 10 to 15 attendees, so cannot offer personal assistance.
Completing Convention Registration
You can register online at acbconvention.org, or by calling (651) 428-5059. If you receive voicemail, please leave your name, phone number, time zone, and if you will be attending the convention in person or virtually. We will return your call as soon as possible. If you are interested in any of our tours, plan to register early. If you need assistance registering, if possible, make arrangements for a friend or family member to assist you. ACB is happy to help, but may not be able to return your call immediately, and we don’t want you to miss out on a tour you really want to attend.
Using Paratransit Service During the 2024 Convention
To obtain a visitor pass to use paratransit in Jacksonville (called JTA Connexion), have your provider email your authorization to [email protected]. Once you’ve done that, call Latoya at (904) 265-8949 or email her at [email protected] to let her know the dates you will be in Jacksonville, and provide your cell phone number and an emergency contact.
There are two services under the JTA umbrella.
JTA Connexion
Reservations must be made in advance. They cannot be made for the same day. Reservations can be called in seven days per week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., (904) 630-3100. The cost for this ride is $3 each way.
Connexions Plus
Reservations can be made for a future date, or for the same day (two hours in advance). Rides are $6 each way for the first 15 miles and $1 extra for each additional mile. To reserve a ride for this service, call (904) 404-0848. Note: if using this service from the airport, the cost would be around $20.
Ordering Dog Food
Don’t want to weigh down your luggage with food for your dog? Keep it simple — order food from Scoopmasters!
Scoopmasters will provide and maintain our dog relief areas in Jacksonville. Locations of the dog relief areas will be shared via email lists and posted in the convention newspaper as soon as they are set up.
If you would like to pre-order dog food to be delivered to your hotel room, call Tim Stone at (661) 714-0749 or order online at http://scoopmasters.com/acb. Tim says, “It’s a simple form that asks for name, phone number, brand and type of food. I will call to get the details within 24 hours, and I will accept payments at the hotel.” Food must be ordered by June 20th to ensure delivery.
Assistance at the Airport
To assist airline personnel and Margarine Beaman and her cadre of airport volunteers, if you would like assistance when you arrive at the airport, please submit the following information.
Your name
The name of the airline you will be arriving on
Your departure city
Arrival flight number
Departure airline
Departure date
Departure time
Your cell phone number
You can send Margarine Beaman an e-mail with "airline information" in the subject line at [email protected], or call her at (512) 921-1625.
Staying in Touch
The conference and convention announce list will be filled with information. If you received updates for the 2023 convention, you do not need to subscribe to the list. If you are not subscribed to the list, send a blank e-mail to [email protected].
Hotel Details
Room rates at the Hyatt Riverfront in Jacksonville are $99 per night, plus tax. To make reservations online, go to https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/JAXRJ/G-ACOB. If you prefer to make reservations by phone, call 1-800-233-1234, and use Code G-ACOB.
For any convention-related questions, contact Janet Dickelman, convention chair, at (651) 428-5059, or via e-mail, [email protected].