Join Us for the 2024 NFB of Virginia State Convention Taking Place Oct. 31-Nov. 3!



The state convention returns to the waterfront! It's going to be the event you won't want to miss, better than ever. Stay tuned for details as they begin to be published. Please consider signing up for the Virginia Announcement List to have updates delivered straight to your inbox.

Note: If using a screen reader, you may jump to major sections at heading level 2, or sub sections at heading level 3. You should be able to use the numbers 2 and 3 on the number row of your keyboard.



Table of Contents





Thank You!



The Tidewater Chapter has graciously agreed to host State Convention this year! Please thank Chapter representatives for making 2024 the success we anticipate!


Honoring Our 2023 VIP Sponsors!




We’d also love to express huge appreciation for last year’s VIP sponsors! Thank you to:



Location andHotel Reservations



The 66th annual State Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia will be held Thursday, October 31 through Sunday, November 3, 2024, at the Renaissance Portsmouth-Norfolk Waterfront Hotel in Portsmouth, VA.
More details to come shortly.



Registration




We're excited to have you join us for State Convention this Fall! Here's what to know about the registration process.

  • Be prepared to complete the registration form in one sitting.  The website times out after 15 minutes, and you will lose all of your information.
  • When clicking on the registration form, the host Brown Paper Tickets has several paragraphs of information.  Do not click or open any of the information
    in this section.
  •   You do not have to select English as your preferred language. Arrow down until you hear “Please Note”, that is the start of our registration form.

 
Please complete our in person registration form.

For participants tuning in virtually, please complete our virtual registration form. Please check the agenda when it becomes available for the schedule of sessions being made available through Zoom.

Are you experiencing issues registering? Please contact Jacki Bruce at (703) 493-1107 or via email at: jackibruce6@gmail.com.



2023 Highlights



Our 2023 State Convention was jam-packed with fun and engaging activities for all!
Here is just a small snapshot of what last year's agenda contained and a glimpse of what you could expect this year:

Silver BELLS Reunion and Open House

You asked for it. Now, we’re making it happen. 120 alumni strong, and we’re bringing you all together in an unforgettable evening of celebration, fellowship, and empowerment the likes of which can only be conjured by the most distinguished group of seniors in the country.

Reconnect with your class, reengage with your instructors, and remember why you left our program feeling like the impossible suddenly seemed doable.

And if you’re here to learn how to join a future session, we can’t wait to tell you all about it and welcome you into the fold. There is truly no better way to jumpstart your convention experience!

Next Level Diversity

Who said diversity had to be just one more lecture about how to be inclusive? The DEI Committee enthusiastically welcomes you to an evening of dance, song, and storytelling. It’s an immersive time travel, from the colonial era through today, a reflection of diversity through the ages, and you won’t want to miss the colorful tapestry that makes our movement so vibrant. Don’t just talk about the differences that make us so dynamic. Experience it in this one of a kind kickoff to the best convention ever!

Southern Hospitality Done Right

The Williamsburg Chapter proudly extends a special invitation for you to join it for music, hors d’oeuvres, and drinks at the best break from the hustle and bustle of this energetic convention agenda. The business of the organization isn’t just about speeches and seminars. It’s about mixing, mingling, and meeting your next best friend from a chapter across the state in a fun and relaxed environment. So stop in for a spell and get to know your affiliate community.

Follow Your Own Track to Success

This year, more than any other, the convention has been designed to deliver optimal results based on special interests. Parents, young children, young adults, working adults, and seniors will be able to follow a thread of activities tailored for their needs. From self defense demonstrations to leadership development, from scavenger hunts to legal workshops, from tactile art to interactive exhibits, you can mix and match to create the convention agenda that makes the most sense for your journey!

Catering to Our Sighted Loved Ones

The blindness movement is not just about blind and low vision members advocating for themselves. It’s about finding rhythm with our sighted companions, and this year’s convention features the perfect opportunity for bonding over shared concerns and an excellent reminder that you are most certainly not alone.

Step Back in Time to Colonial Williamsburg

Local tours used to be a feature of our national conventions. The Williamsburg Chapter, ever the ambitious host, decided they could match that amenity, and the result is two specially designed tours of the Governor’s Palace and the wider colonial village. Door to door service, affordable rates, and everything packed into a uniquely narrated journey sure to make for memorable moments accessible to everyone.



Sponsorship Opportunities



The NFB of Virginia State Convention is the largest annual gathering of blind and low vision residents of the Virginia commonwealth. This presents a unique opportunity for companies, community services, and entrepreneurs to connect with parents, teachers, rehabilitation professionals, students, and a wide range of working adults with buying power.

Our sponsorship program offers you the flexibility to show your support of creating opportunities for blind and low vision residents at the level that makes the most sense for your marketing strategy. Learn more about sponsoring and exhibiting at our convention.



Transportation



Are you traveling down from Northern Virginia? Check the special announcements for an important note on a chartered bus option.

Please check with your local chapter to see about carpools and other transportation options.

More details coming shortly.


Kids Camp



Kids Camp is available to the children of registered convention attendees (ages infant through 5th grade) during qualifying sessions of convention. Please check back for specific sessions and times in the coming weeks.

Snacks will be provided during a handful of sessions. Even though Kids Camp will be open and fully staffed during lunch on Friday and Saturday, lunch will not be provided. Parents should either pick their child up for lunch at the end of Sessions or provide a lunch for their child to eat in the Kids Camp room. Also, dinner will not be provided on Friday or Saturday evening. Parents should feed their child dinner prior to bringing them to sessions.

The cost of Kids Camp is $10 per child per session.

Please indicate the number of children per session on the Registration Form.

If you need more information, please contact Bob Meter at (850) 755-0181, or rcmeter@comcast.net.



Special Announcements



Following is a series of special announcements relevant to the convention program. For additional details, please connect with the listed point of contact or follow the links to the related page.

Door Prizes

Local chapters and state divisions are encouraged to submit financial contributions to the state treasurer for the purpose of door prizes. Please connect with Mark Roane for details. Door prizes that are not cash value should take the shape of electronic gift certificates that are not tied to specific local businesses. Where necessary, the door prize committee will ensure prizes are disseminated to winners no later than one week after the convention.

Winners will be drawn from the online in person and virtual registration lists.

To submit a door prize, or for further information, please contact Deborah Jackson of the Williamsburg Chapter: 757-947-6605, or via email at: fisayooke2003@yahoo.com.

Auctions

No announcements yet. Please check back soon for updates.