State Convention
National Federation of the Blind of Michigan 2024 State Convention
October 31 - November 3, 2024
Radisson Hotel Kalamazoo
100 W Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
While our block at the main hotel is closed, rooms are available at the nearby Hilton Garden Inn, about a 1.5 block walk from the hotel. Rooms are approximately $140 a night plus tax. You can book online or call them at (269) 226-3134 and may also be able to use the hotel shuttle, schedule permitting. This is their regular rate; it is not a convention rate
The National Federation of the Blind of Michigan actively creates opportunities for blind people to turn their dreams into reality. Our annual state convention, the largest consumer-focused gathering of blind people in the state of Michigan, boasts potential advocacy, education, and networking resources across ages, professions, and cities. Whether it’s our college scholarship program or our informative presentations on resources for blind people; each year our state convention provides programming for everyone, including:
- Parents of Blind Children
- Blind Parents
- Blind Children and Students
- Blind Adults
- Blind Seniors
- Blindness Rehabilitation Professionals
Registration
It's time to register for convention. Registering will put you in the running for valuable door prizes and helps to support our affiliate with convention costs.
Pre registration is still available. There are a limited number of Lunch tickets and banquet tickets remaining.
Do you need transportation?
If you would like to arrange shuttle transportation to or from the hotel, please call directly at 269) 343-3333. If you filled out the transportation form, we have taken care of the arrangements for you.
Agenda
The agenda for the 2024 state convention is now available for download as a Microsoft Word document, or viewable as a web page.
Download the agenda in Word Format
Download the agenda as a web page
Hotel Information
Below you will find information about the hotel, such as a description of its layout and information about its restaurants, in Microsoft Word format.
This Year's Exhibitors
The exhibit Hall will be open Friday, November 1 from 11 AM to 6 PM in the Great Lakes Rooms of the hotel. Attendance is free and open to the public.
Download the list of exhibitors as a Microsoft Word Document
View the list of exhibitors as a web page
Exhibit Hall Table Numbers
Below is a list of the exhibitor table numbers. Tables 1 through 19 are on the perimeter of the room, while tables 20-31 are in the center.
1. Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (Platinum sponsor)
3-4. Discover Kalamazoo (Platinum sponsor)
5-6. Eye Learn (Platinum sponsor)
7. A. T. Guys
8. Family Counseling and Mediation Services (White Cane sponsor)
9. Rehabilitation WAY, LLC (White Cane sponsor)
10. Selvas BLV
11. Greater Detroit Agency for the Blind & Visually Impaired
12. Guide Dogs for the Blind
13. NewHaptics
14. Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired
15. VisualEyes Access
16. iCan Connect / Perkins School for the Blind (White Cane sponsor)
17-18. Michigan Department of Education – Low Incidence Outreach (MDE-LIO) (Gold sponsor)
19. Birding By Ear and Beyond (White Cane sponsor)
20-21. Non-24/Vanda (Platinum sponsor)
22. Lions Bear Lake Camp
23. Metro
24. Michigan Braille and Talking Book Library
25. Michigan Ski for Light
26. Lions 11-B1 Winter Camp for the Blind and Visually Impaired
27. Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind
28. Western Michigan University, Department of Blindness and Low Vision Studies
29. Braille Bright Assistive Tech LLC
30. Disability Network Southwest Michigan
31. Leader Dogs for the Blind (White Cane sponsor)
2024 College Scholarship Program, Deadline passed
The deadline for the 2024 State Scholarship program has passed.
Sponsor and Exhibitor Opportunities
Download the sponsor / exhibitor packet
Please email convention@nfbmi.org if you are interested in learning more about exhibitor or sponsor opportunities.
Listen to the Convention from Anywhere
Your friends that aren't able to join us in person can join us on the Internet by visiting our NFB of Michigan Zoom Room. We plan on streaming all general sessions as well as the banquet. This is the same link we use for most of our virtual meetings.
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/9612695221?pwd=dHlxZDNwcVVZbUVTYUM5cEU4cDlndz09
Meeting ID: 961 269 5221
Passcode: 902855
One tap mobile +16468769923,,9612695221#,,,,,,0#,,902855# US (New York)
Code of Conduct
As an attendee at our convention, you not only represent yourself but also represent our greater organization. We want you to enjoy our time together and to make new friends and renew old acquaintances. Although we encourage members to socialize and have fun, the convention also provides a valuable opportunity to come together to continue the work of our organization, to learn about the important initiatives that we are involved with on local and national levels, and to plan our work for the future.
The National Federation of the Blind seeks to provide a convention environment in which diverse participants, including members, speakers, exhibitors, staff, and volunteers, may learn, network, and enjoy the company of friends and colleagues in an environment of mutual respect and professionalism. We recognize a shared responsibility to create and uphold that atmosphere for the benefit of all. Some behaviors are therefore specifically prohibited:
- harassment or intimidation based on race, religion, ethnicity, language, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, physical appearance, or other group identity
- harassment or intimidation, including unwelcome sexual attention, stalking (physical or virtual), or unsolicited physical contact
- public drunkenness and associated behaviors (e.g., belligerence, yelling, hostility, destruction of property)
Participants are expected to abide by these rules and behaviors in all convention venues, including online arenas, social media, and social events. Participants who are asked to stop a behavior that the recipient considers hostile or harassing are expected to comply immediately. We are committed to diversity, equity, and the free expression of ideas. Please visit https://nfb.org/code-conduct for more information.
Additional Information
Additional information will be posted as soon as it becomes available. Check back often.
For more information, please contact the following:
J.J. Meddaugh, State Convention Coordinator
Email: convention@nfbmi.org