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State Convention

The National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey State Convention is the largest gathering of blind people in the state. It is the premier event for training, support, and information for the blind community. It also serves as a governing body, democratically electing our leadership and establishing each year’s organizational priorities.

National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey

50th Annual State Convention

Wednesday, October 21 through Sunday, October 25, 2026

Theme: Live the Life You Want -- Stronger Together: 50 Years of Progress and Possibilities

Host Chapter: South Jersey Shore Chapter

Thank you for attending our 49th annual state convention, Live The Life You Want; Building Champions. Please stay tuned regarding details for our 50th annual state convention taking place next year.

Register and make a difference in the lives of blind New Jerseyans!

The National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey invites members, families, professionals, community partners, and supporters to attend the 50th Annual NFB of New Jersey State Convention, taking place October 21–25, 2026, at Tropicana Atlantic City.

This year’s convention marks the 50th anniversary of the National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey. For five decades, the organization has worked to expand opportunity, promote independence, and raise expectations for blind people throughout the state. The 50th Annual State Convention celebrates this history while continuing the work of advancing equality, accessibility, and opportunity across New Jersey.

The convention is the largest annual gathering of blind individuals in New Jersey and serves as the premier event for training, networking, advocacy, and information within the blind community. Each year it brings together blind New Jerseyans, families, educators, rehabilitation professionals, technology experts, and community partners to share ideas, strengthen connections, and advance opportunities for blind people.

The agenda will be finalized, distributed, and posted on the state website in mid to late September. Yes, the agenda will be available on NFB-NEWSLINE® too!

Here is your opportunity to learn more about the National Federation of the Blind’s programs and goals at both the state and national levels. The convention will feature presentations by the NFB national representative, along with speakers addressing issues affecting blind individuals and families across New Jersey and the nation.

We are proud to announce that Mark Riccobono, president of the National Federation of the Blind, will be serving as the national rep for this year's convention. Click here to read his bio.

Attendees will hear about topics such as membership, seniors, accessible technology, Braille literacy, student leadership, guide dog users, and issues affecting parents of blind children. Additional workshops and discussions will focus on advocacy, accessibility, employment, leadership development, and community engagement.

The convention will also recognize the 2026 NFB of New Jersey scholarship class, celebrating outstanding blind students. Special programming throughout the weekend will commemorate the 50-year history of the NFB of New Jersey, honoring the individuals and milestones that have helped shape the organized blind movement in our state.

Whether you are newly blind, a long-time Federation member, a parent, a student, or a professional working in the blindness field, the convention offers valuable information, meaningful connections, and opportunities to become involved in a vibrant movement dedicated to equality, independence, and opportunity.

Mark your calendars and make plans now to attend the 50th Annual NFB of New Jersey State Convention as we celebrate 50 years of advocacy, progress, and achievement for blind New Jerseyans. Get involved, share the information widely, and join us in continuing the work of raising expectations and expanding opportunities. Everyone is welcome.

Support the 2026 Convention Auction and Door Prizes

Help make the 50th Annual NFB of NJ State Convention even more memorable by contributing to our convention auction and door prizes. Individuals, NFB of NJ chapters, committees and groups, and companies or organizations are invited to donate auction baskets, individual auction items, door prizes, or monetary contributions.

Monetary contributions may be designated for auction items or baskets, door prizes, or both. Every contribution helps enhance the convention experience while supporting the work of the National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey.

Click here to cContribute an Auction Item/basket or Door Prize!

Location

Tropicana Atlantic City

2831 Boardwalk

Atlantic City, NJ 08401

The 50th Annual State Convention will be held at Tropicana Atlantic City, an accessible resort located directly on the Atlantic City Boardwalk. The hotel provides a convenient setting for convention activities, with meeting rooms and guest accommodations located within the resort complex.

Tropicana Atlantic City offers accessible entrances, elevators, and public areas that support independent participation by blind and low-vision guests. Convention meeting spaces are easy to reach from the main areas of the hotel, and accessible guest rooms are available upon request.

The resort also features multiple restaurants, shops, and on-site services, giving attendees convenient access to dining and amenities throughout the convention weekend.

The hotel is accessible via NJ Transit Access Link, which provides curb-to-curb transportation for eligible riders traveling to Atlantic City. Attendees may also reach the Tropicana by car, NJ Transit rail service to Atlantic City, regional bus carriers, taxis, or rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft. Parking is available at the hotel for those traveling by car; a parking fee applies and will be shared at a later date.

2025 State Convention Committees

The success of our State Convention depends on the energy, commitment, and teamwork of our committees. Each committee plays an important role, whether it is planning engaging sessions, coordinating sponsorships, ensuring accessibility, or strengthening connections with our members. Their work ensures that our convention is both meaningful and impactful.

You can view the full list of committees and find contact information for their chairs at the following link:

https://nfbnj.org/state-convention-committees

Room Reservations

The APA Hotel Woodbridge is now accepting room reservations for the State Convention. To make your reservation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, contact Cheyenne Finch at 732-603-7792 or Cheyenne.Finch@apahotelwoodbridge.com and use the group name of National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey. The best time to call is during regular business hours, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Friday. The 2025 room rate is $119 a night for up to four occupants in a room per night. Hotel room rates are subject to 6.625% New Jersey State tax, 5.0% Occupancy tax and 3.0% Municipal tax. All taxes are subject to change without prior notice, and will be in effect at the time of check-out.

For those considering arriving early, there is a limited number of available guest rooms as another group will be occupying most of the hotel on Wednesday, October 22. The Hotel will be releasing our block of rooms on Friday, October 10, 2025 at 5 PM so make your reservation quickly. You will need a credit card to secure your reservation, There will be no charge to your card until you arrive at the hotel. In addition, there are a limited number of wheelchair accessible rooms and if needed, make it known when you are making your room reservation.

Note: If you can not attend and you have made hotel reservations, don’t call the hotel to cancel. Please call Linda Melendez at 908-590-1747. Linda usually has a waiting list to review as many learn about the State Convention after Friday, October 10.

Convention Meal Options

Pre-registered attendees will have the opportunity to purchase meals at significantly reduced prices as part of their convention experience. These meals are a convenient and affordable way to enjoy quality dining while staying fully engaged in our weekend activities. Pre-registration closes at 5 PM on October 10, 2025, and no food can be purchased after this deadline. Please note that on-site meal sales will not be available, so be sure to register early to secure your meal selections.

To view the full list of available meal options, please visit:

https://nfbnj.org/state-convention/meal-options

Please note that due to circumstances beyond our control, menu items and offerings may be subject to change or substitution by the hotel without prior notice. We appreciate your understanding and will do our best to ensure a delightful dining experience despite any necessary adjustments.

Agenda

Please note that the agenda is subject to change due to last minute changes during the convention.

Sponsorship Opportunities

The National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey (NFB of NJ) cordially invites organizations, businesses, and individuals to become sponsors of our annual State Convention. Your generous support is absolutely critical; it directly empowers us to continue our vital work of raising expectations and expanding opportunities for blind individuals throughout New Jersey.

This year, we're focusing our fundraising efforts exclusively on sponsorships. A contribution of $75 or more is considered a sponsorship, and every dollar directly helps us host a meaningful and impactful convention. In return for your generosity, you or your organization will receive valuable visibility and recognition within the vibrant blindness community we serve.

Exhibit Hall Access for Sponsors

As a special perk, any individual, company, or organization that registers at the Vendor Sponsorship level or higher will be provided with a dedicated table in our exhibit hall. This isn't just a table; it's a prime opportunity to connect directly with attendees, proudly showcase your products or services, and engage in meaningful conversations with members of the blind community and their allies. It's a chance to build relationships and demonstrate your commitment.

Ready to Make a Difference?

To become a sponsor and actively support our mission, please take a moment to complete our sponsorship registration form. You can find it by visiting:

https://secure.qgiv.com/for/habdvg/event/nationalfederationoftheblindsponsorshipandgiving

We extend our deepest gratitude to all our sponsors, exhibitors, and resource partners. Your partnership is truly essential to the success of our convention and, more broadly, to our mission. Together, we are powerfully transforming perceptions and creating greater, brighter opportunities for blind people across New Jersey.

Meet Our Sponsors

The National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey (NFB of NJ) proudly recognizes and thanks the generous sponsors of our 49th Annual State Convention, “Live the Life You Want; Building Champions.” Their commitment ensures that this annual gathering brings together blind New Jerseyans, families, advocates, and allies to share resources, build connections, and strengthen our community.

Through their support, NFB of NJ is able to expand programs in advocacy, education, technology, and leadership — empowering blind individuals to live the lives they want and creating opportunities across New Jersey. We are deeply grateful for their partnership and dedication to accessibility and inclusion.

Visit our Convention Sponsors Page to see the full list of this year’s sponsors:

www.nfbnj.org/state-convention/exhibitors-sponsors

Integrity and Respect

To ensure all attendees can benefit from every aspect of the convention, we are committed to providing a harassment-free environment for everyone. We appreciate your assistance in cultivating an atmosphere where participants from diverse backgrounds can learn, network, and share with one another in an environment of mutual respect.

Thank you for doing your part to support our community and uphold the high expectations we strive to maintain.

Please visit the following link for the code of conduct:

www.nfb.org/about-us/history-and-governance/code-conduct

Fragrance-Free Environment

To ensure a healthy and comfortable environment for all participants, the NFB of New Jersey State Convention is a fragrance-free event. Some individuals experience significant health effects from exposure to scented products. Attendees are asked to refrain from wearing or using perfume, cologne, scented lotions, aftershave, essential oils, or other strongly scented personal products during convention activities.

We appreciate your cooperation in helping maintain an environment that is welcoming and accessible for everyone.

Please review the NFB of New Jersey Fragrance-Free Policy for additional information:

https://nfbnj.org/fragrance-free-policy

Meet our National Representative

Mark Riccobono

President, National Federation of the Blind

Bio coming soon.

Past State Conventions

Please visit our Past Conventions page to access audio and video highlights from previous state conventions.

Additional Information

If you have questions and need additional information, please contact us at 908-590-1747 or via our contact us form.