by Carla Ruschival
The race is on! We're inviting speakers, selecting menus, organizing tours, assigning meeting rooms, and registering exhibitors and sponsors. We're planning the 2008 ACB convention!
Convention dates are July 5-12; the place, Louisville, Ky. Read on for details and to see what's new this month.
Often people ask if there are activities that can help them in their careers. They want to know about information available on important issues, and how they can learn more about new adaptive technology. Here's a sampling of these outstanding opportunities.
Exhibits
Compare and contrast the latest products for blind and visually impaired people. Discover which video magnifier, braille device or speech program best meets your needs. Examine tutorials, print/braille books, watches, and an endless variety of products for work, school and daily living. Collect materials to take home to others in your office or organization. You will want to spend hours and hours browsing the exhibit hall; it opens on Saturday, July 5, at 1:00 and closes on Thursday, July 10, at 1:00.
Workshops and Focus Groups
Every convention features unique opportunities to learn new skills, tips and techniques on a wide range of topics. Seminars on diabetes, employment issues, and information access to off-the-shelf technology are some examples. There's instruction on high-tech products such as screen readers, braille notetakers, low-vision products, and much more.
Programs and Discussions
ACB general sessions (Sunday evening, Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m.-noon, and all day Friday) address major issues such as education, rehabilitation, employment, access, health-related issues and much more. The presentation by a Talking Book narrator and update on library services are always popular. While the 2008 program is not yet complete, you can be assured that it will be exciting and information-packed.
ACB committees, special-interest affiliates and others sponsor an endless variety of break-out sessions and small-group discussions. Look for informative programming for teachers, government employees, blind vendors and entrepreneurs, attorneys, and information technology specialists. Students can explore careers and meet people working in their areas of interest. Special programming targets issues related to low vision, guide dogs, deaf-blind concerns, braille, etc. Networking
It is often said that networking with others with similar interests is as important as education and training, and that it greatly enhances the job-seeking process. Whether you are a teacher or student, rehabilitation counselor or administrator, parent or caregiver, employer or job-seeker, you will be able to network with others in your field.
WHAT'S NEW?
Commemorative Program: Every affiliate has special people who have played significant roles in the lives of blind and visually impaired people. Often these outstanding individuals go unheralded on the national scene. Now you can share the accomplishments of these special people by participating in the new commemorative section of the 2008 ACB convention program. Commemorative pages will be printed on high-quality paper; pages can include a color photograph of your special person and a short caption about his or her accomplishments. What a wonderful way to honor or memorialize that special person!
Commemorative pages must be reserved by May 15. For more information, contact Brenda Dillon at (615) 874-1223, or visit www.acb.org/convention.
Color Pages
Attention, program advertisers! You've been asking for it, and here it is! Full-page ads and program covers are now available in color. See your exhibit and sponsorship packets for details, or visit www.acb.org/convention.
Exhibit Special For Blind Entrepreneurs
Are you a blind small-business owner? Do you have products such as CDs, books, crafts, or computer games to sell? Are you a representative for a company that sells jewelry, toys, home decor, etc.? Would your products be a popular addition to the ACB exhibit area?
If you have always wanted to give the exhibit area a try, but haven't been sure that the hours and cost were right for you, now is your chance. Discounts on tabletop booths are available to blind small-business owners during their first, second and third years of participation in the exhibit hall. For more information, contact Michael Smitherman at (601) 968-4164, or visit www.acb.org/convention.
Convention Details
Special-interest groups, ACB committees, and others wishing to sponsor programs or activities at the convention should submit all information for the pre-registration form by April 1. Program details need to be submitted by May 1. Make all arrangements related to convention events (reserving space, ordering food or AV equipment, etc.) with Carla Ruschival (phone (502) 897-1472 or e-mail [email protected]).
Join the race to the winner's circle at the 2008 ACB convention by making your hotel reservations at the luxurious Galt House hotel. Choose a standard room in the Rivue (west) tower for $85/night, or spend convention week in style in a newly renovated executive suite (fridge included) for $105/night. Rates are single/double, and do not include tax. Add $10 per night for each additional person in the room; limit four people per room, please.
Keep up with all the latest convention announcements. Join the acbconvention e-mail list by sending a blank message to [email protected].
For convention questions or special concerns, contact Carla Ruschival, ACB convention committee chair, at (502) 897-1472 or by e-mail at [email protected]; or call the ACB national office at 1-800-424-8666.