CONVENTION 1997: WE GO TO NEW ORLEANS

by Kenneth Jernigan (President Emeritus, National Federation of the Blind)

This article appeared in the BRAILLE MONITOR, December 1996 edition, published by the National Federation of the Blind.

The time has come to plan for the 1997 convention of the National Federation of the Blind. As Federationists know, our recent National Conventions in Chicago and Anaheim were outstanding in every sense of the word--excellent programs, good food and facilities, and wonderful hospitality. But New Orleans in '97 promises to be the best we have ever had.

And it also promises to be the biggest. Our last convention in New Orleans was in 1991, and we had the biggest attendance in our history--2,760 registered attendees, and the record still stands. This time I hope we can break 3,000, and I believe we will.

We are bigger and stronger than ever and ready for a wonderful convention. President Joanne Wilson and the other leaders and members of the NFB of Louisiana tell me that plans are going forward for a spectacular meeting.

We are returning to the Hyatt Regency New Orleans, at 500 Poydras Plaza, New Orleans, Louisiana 70140. Those of you who attended the 1991 convention know how good the Hyatt Regency New Orleans is, and it has been remodeled and improved since we were there. It is among the best hotels in the world.

In recent years we have sometimes taken hotel reservations through the National Office, and that is what we are going to do this time. Call the National Center at (410) 659-9314 or write to National Convention, National Federation of the Blind, 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21230. Reservations will be taken on a first come, first serve basis, and no reservation will be valid unless it has been made through the National Office of the Federation. A few people have already called the Hyatt Regency New Orleans and have apparently been told that their reservations are confirmed. These reservations are not valid and will not be honored. They should be re-made through the office here at the National Center for the Blind. As has been the case when we have followed this procedure in the past, Mr. Cobb will take telephone calls and deal with letters.

In order to confirm a reservation, you will need either to send a check or money order for $40 as a deposit or give to Mr. Cobb a credit card number. The credit card account will be charged immediately. If a reservation is canceled prior to June 1, 1997, half of the deposit will be returned. After that date deposits will not be returned. Exceptions may be made in certain demonstrated emergency situations.

The reason for this policy concerning reservations is that we have only 1,100 rooms in the Hyatt Regency. We believe we will need 1,425 rooms, so after the 1,100 rooms are gone, the overflow will be placed at another hotel. In order to make the situation workable and to be certain that we get the maximum number of rooms at the Hyatt Regency, we are handling reservations in the National Office of the Federation. I emphasize that no reservation will be valid unless it is made through our National Office and that after 1,100 rooms are gone, an overflow hotel will be used. Be warned, and behave accordingly. Those who do not read the BRAILLE MONITOR or attend chapter meetings to hear Presidential Releases have only themselves to blame.

As is always the case, our hotel rates for 1997 will be the envy of all who attend conventions. Here they are: one in a room, $40 per night; two in a room, $42; three in a room, $44; four in a room, $46. As you can see, these rates are better than the ones we had in 1996 in California, which were better than the ones we got in Chicago in 1995. In addition to the room rates, there will be a tax. At the time Mrs. Jernigan and I made the arrangements with the hotel, it was 11 percent plus $3 a night. There will be no charge for children under 12 in a room with parents as long as no extra bed is required. If you want to come a few days early or stay a few days late, convention rates will apply.

Here are the convention dates and schedule. Notice that we are one day off from our usual schedule: Sunday, June 29 -- seminars for parents of blind children, blind job seekers, and vendors and merchants; several other workshops and meetings. Monday, June 30--convention registration, first meeting of the Resolutions Committee, other committees, and some of the divisions. Tuesday, July 1--meeting of the Board of Directors (open to all), division meetings, committee meetings, continuing registration. Wednesday, July 2--opening general session, evening gala. Thursday, July 3--general sessions, tours (interesting ones throughout the New Orleans area). Friday, July 4--general sessions, banquet. Saturday, July 5--general sessions, adjournment.

The elegant Hyatt Regency New Orleans is located just eight blocks from the French Quarter. As those who were there in 1991 remember, it features two towers--Poydras, with 27 floors; and Lenai, with 11 floors. In addition to a swimming pool on the seventh floor, the Hyatt also features several restaurants, cocktail lounges, and a large shopping mall.

This shopping mall includes a Waldenbooks store, jewelry store, souvenir store, Cafe du Monde, Frank and Stein--hot dogs and beer--and many other fast food meals. In addition, Macy's Department Store is adjacent to the Hyatt and is easily accessible. Passing through Macy's will lead to the Super Dome, a colossal structure that is home to the New Orleans Saints as well as many other gala festivities. A shuttle service to and from the French Quarter will be provided to hotel guests during the National Convention.

The huge rooms on the third floor of the Poydras Tower will easily accommodate both the general sessions and our exhibits, as well as the banquet. The 1997 convention of the National Federation of the Blind should offer enough variety and enough space to make it the best ever.

Remember that we need door prizes from state affiliates, local chapters, and individuals. Prizes should be relatively small in size and large in value. Cash is always popular. In any case, we ask that no prize have a value of less than $25. Drawings will be made steadily throughout the convention sessions. As usual the grand prize at the banquet will be spectacular--worthy of the occasion and the host affiliate. The 1996 grand prize in Anaheim was a thousand dollars in cash. The 1997 grand prize will be at least as good. Don't miss the fun! You may bring door prizes with you or send them ahead of time to: Don Banning, 663 Grove Avenue, Harahan, Louisiana 70123-3840; telephone: (504) 737-4955.

The displays of new technology; the meetings of special interest groups, committees, and divisions; the exciting tours; the hospitality and renewed friendships; the solid program items; and the exhilaration of being where the action is and where the decisions are being made--all of these join together to call the blind of the nation to the Hyatt Regency New Orleans Hotel in July of 1997. Come and help make it happen!

CONVENTION SCHEDULE

Sunday, June 29 -- Seminars for parents of blind children, blind job seekers, and vendors and merchants; several other workshops and meetings

Monday, June 30 -- Convention registration, first meeting of the Resolutions Committee, other committees, and some of the divisions

Tuesday, July 1 -- Meeting of the Board of Directors (open to all), division meetings, committee meetings, continuing registration

Wednesday, July 2 -- Opening general session, evening gala

Thursday, July 3 -- General sessions, tours (interesting ones throughout the New Orleans area)

Friday, July 4 -- General sessions, banquet

Saturday, July 5 -- General sessions, adjournment