2025 Virginia State Convention

Join Us Oct. 30 - Nov. 2 in Virginia Beach!

Get ready to network, connect and learn alongside the largest gathering of blind and low-vision students, parents, professionals, seniors, vendors and partners in Virginia! Each year, the NFBV state convention brings together over 250 energetic attendees to build lasting connections, engage in fruitful networking, discover new resources, learn from their peers, and participate in fun and interactive activities. If you've never been to a Virginia convention before, 2025 is the year to join us! Register now!

 

Please check back here as additional information is added to fully prepare you for the NFB of Virginia State Convention. Alternatively, please consider signing up for the Virginia Announcement List to have updates delivered straight to your inbox, or following the NFBV Facebook page.

 

     

 

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Thank You!

The Chesapeake Bay Chapter will be doing the incredible honors of hosting us in 2025. Please be sure to thank President Annie Asher and all the Chesapeake Bay Chapter members for the generous support in making this year's convention one to remember!

Hotel

The 67th annual State Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia will be held Thursday, October 30 through Sunday, November 2, 2025, at the: Wyndham Virginia Beach Oceanfront Hotel 5700 Atlantic Ave., Virginia Beach, VA 23451
We're excited to announce that you can now reserve your hotel room for convention. The affiliate has secured very competitive nightly room rates of $109 plus tax for single or double occupancy, and these rates will be honored up to three days before the convention start date and up to three days following the convention end date.

Please call 757.428.4752 to make your reservation and let the staff know that you would like to book a room for the NFB of Virginia 2025 state convention. A credit/debit card is required to secure your room. Please note that the deadline for reservations is Tuesday, October 7, 2025, so don't delay!

Registration

Registration is now open, and you can secure early bird rates through October 7. Register now! Please note that prices will increase significantly after October 7.

Questions about registration? Please contact Jacki Bruce: membership@nfbv.org.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Our state convention brings together the largest gathering of blind and low-vision students, working adults, seniors and caretakers from across Virginia, making it a prime venue to showcase your organization's service or product. We have four sponsorship and exhibit packages to choose from with varying levels of benefits to fit your needs. Learn more about the different tiers, including perks, pricing and registration.

Call for Door Prizes

We are looking for generous organizations willing to donate a door prize to the convention. We will be giving out several prizes per day, both physical prizes as well as intangible prizes, like digital gift cards and experiences. If you have something you would like to donate, please contact our Door Prize Chair:

Denice Wilkins 

757.508.5548

2025 Convention Highlights

The clock is counting down to the largest gathering of blind and low vision people in the great commonwealth of Virginia!

Here's a small taste of what to expect this year:

🤖 Technology & Innovation

  • AI in Action – Explore the latest in accessible artificial intelligence, including Aira and Agiga Ecco smart glasses, and learn how AI is transforming independence.
  • Finance & Technology Seminar – Hear from fintech innovators and everyday users about accessible tools for banking, budgeting, and investing.
  • Bustling Exhibit Hall – Get hands-on with the latest low- and high-tech solutions, from simple gadgets to advanced devices that make daily life easier.
  • Autonomous Vehicles with Waymo – Learn how self-driving cars are reshaping the future of accessible transportation.

🏆 Learning & Leadership

  • Leadership Seminar – Build confidence, communication skills, and strategies to step into leadership roles in your community and beyond.
  • Transportation Advocacy Seminar – Discover how advocates across Virginia are winning improvements in public transit—and how you can make change in your area.
  • Gun Safety Simulation – Gain practical knowledge and hands-on training in a safe, supportive environment.
  • Your Plan, Your Health, Your Power – Roll up your sleeves for a 90-minute interactive workshop on real-world safety and wellness. Practice how to respond in an emergency, explore a discovery backpack of “go bag” essentials, test out accessible prescription tools, and pick up practical strategies for staying healthy and independent.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family & Connection

  • Family Trick-or-Treat Excursion – On Friday evening, kids and families are invited to trick-or-treat together in a nearby Virginia Beach neighborhood for a safe and fun Halloween adventure.
  • What Our Kids Say About Their Blind Parents – Hear directly from children about how growing up with blind parents has shaped their lives.
  • Braille Book Exchange – Swap Braille books and discover your child’s (or your own!) next favorite story.
  • Kids’ Creative Labs – Try out accessible games, Braille art projects with slate and stylus, and hands-on design challenges.
  • Parent-to-Parent Conversations – Connect with other parents of blind children, as well as blind parents themselves, for honest Q&A and shared wisdom.

🎉 Fun & Recreation

  • Blind Soccer Nation – Play alongside Paralympian Antoine Craig in a clinic designed for kids, teens, and adults of all skill levels. First 50 participants receive a free blind soccer ball.
  • Birding Without Vision – Enjoy a guided beachside birdwatching walk by sound, rhythm, and description.
  • Swing Dance Workshop – Learn West Coast Swing, a fun and accessible partner dance, taught through movement and touch.
  • Hot Bites, Cool Nights Dinner Show – Comedy, dance, poetry, and interviews—with panelists facing fiery hot wings while you enjoy a great meal.
  • Virginia Aquarium Tour – Experience a hands-on, audio-described exploration of the Virginia Aquarium.
  • Improv Workshop – Tap into your creativity and teamwork in this fun, laughter-filled session led by the DEI Committee.

🤝 Community & Belonging

  • Networking Everywhere – From meals to breakout sessions to late-night hospitality, build friendships and professional connections with hundreds of attendees.
  • Interfaith Prayer Breakfast – A reflective Sunday morning gathering to close out the convention in community.
  • Exhibit Hall & Social Spaces – Browse resources, connect with vendors, and recharge with friends new and old.