by Janet Dickelman
The Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas, Nev. will be home to the 2014 American Council of the Blind's conference and convention. Pre-registration pickup will be Thursday, evening, July 10th. The first tour and the leadership institute will be on Friday, July 11th. Some tech seminars and affiliate and committee meetings, workshops and programs will begin on Saturday, July 12th (through Thursday, July 17th); Saturday night will feature the Nevada welcome party. Sunday evening features our opening general session (convention sessions daily Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. until noon, and Friday, 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.). The banquet will be held on Friday, July 18th. Our final tours will be held Saturday, July 19th.
The following information will be helpful in planning your time in Las Vegas.
Convention Volunteers
Sally Benjamin, volunteer coordinator, and the host committee are working on finding volunteers to assist at the hotel and airport. Just a few reminders regarding volunteer assistance.
Volunteers are happy to help you locate meeting rooms, the exhibit hall, your table in the ballroom during general sessions, restaurants in the hotel and elevators. Volunteers cannot accompany you to the sleeping room floors to your room at the Riviera. If you need help getting to and from your hotel room, you will need to make arrangements for a friend or family member to assist you. Volunteers or hotel staff cannot administer medications, assist with injections or read blood sugar test strips. If you need assistance in these areas, please make arrangements prior to the convention for a friend or family member to help you.
If you use a wheelchair, ACB convention volunteers may not be physically able to push your chair. Please don't count on ACB volunteers to be wheelchair pushers.
A limited number of volunteers will accompany each tour. While they will help as much as possible, ACB volunteers are not personal guides or personal care attendants. If you need individual help, plan to attend the tour with a friend who can act as your guide or PCA, push your wheelchair, etc.
Reasonable Accommodations
If you plan to attend the convention and need a support service provider or interpreter, please contact Lori Scharff. Send her an e-mail, [email protected], with "interpreter for Las Vegas" in the subject line, or contact her via phone, (516) 695-6370.
If you need a wheelchair or scooter, contact Janet Dickelman (contact information shown at the end of this article). The Riviera has some wheelchairs and scooters available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Transportation around Las Vegas
A taxi from McCarron Airport to the Riviera is approximately $16 to $21. The fare may vary depending on time of day or traffic. If you use a credit card, there is an additional $3 fee. There is no additional charge for up to five passengers.
The Super Shuttle is providing convention attendees a rate of $14 round-trip from McCarron Airport to the Riviera. They will also honor a $7 one-way fare. When booking the shuttle, please use code YJGVH. Reservations can be made online at www.supershuttle.com or via phone at 1-800-258-3826. Reservations can be made any time, but must be made 24 hours prior to your arrival.
Using Paratransit
To become certified with Clark County's paratransit, call them after June 1st at (702) 676-1815 and give them your name and address. Then have your transit provider fax your certificate of eligibility to the Clark County certification office at (702) 676-1732. You must contact them at least one week prior to the date you wish to use their services in Las Vegas. Rides cost $3 per ride (cash only) and should be booked 1 to 3 days in advance by calling (702) 228-4800 or TDD (702) 676-1834.
Reservation Details
Room rates at the Riviera are $87 (single and double), plus $10 per additional guest. Room taxes are currently 12%. You will be charged for one nights stay when you make your reservation. Make telephone reservations by calling 1-800-634-6753 or online by visiting the ACB web site at www.acb.org and following the 2014 conference and convention link.
Convention Contacts
Stay in touch by joining the ACB convention e-mail list. Send a blank e-mail to [email protected].
2014 Exhibit Information
Michael Smitherman, (601) 331-7740, [email protected]
2014 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].