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 49th ANNUAL STATE CONVENTION
Thursday, October 23 through Sunday, October 26, 2025
Theme: Live The Life You Want; Building Champions
Thank you for attending our 48th annual state convention, Don't Stop Believing. Please stay tuned regarding details for our 49th annual state convention taking place next year.
Register and make a difference in the lives of blind New Jerseyans!
The 49th Annual State Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey will be held at:
APA Hotel Woodbridge, formerly known as the Hilton
120 Wood Avenue South
Iselin, NJ 08830
The hotel is accessible by NJ Transit Access Link.
We will be live streaming portions of the convention that will be recorded for archival purposes on the website.
Note: 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 chance to participate and learn more about the NFB’s programs and goals on the state and national level. Hear from the NFB national representative. Also, hear from speakers on topics of national and state importance, membership, seniors, technology, Braille, students, guide dog users, and parents’ concerns, meet the scholarship class of 2025 and much more!
We are proud to announce that Patti Gregory-Chang, Director of Outreach at the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, will be serving as the national rep for this year's convention. Click here to read her bio.
Mark your calendars and make every effort to attend the 49th Annual State Convention of the NFB of New Jersey. Get involved. Make a difference! Please share with others, everyone is welcome!
2024 State Convention Committee Chairs
Do you have a question about a certain part of the state convention? Click here to view the contact information for the chairs of the 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, dial (732) 494-6200 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. 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.
Agenda Recommendations
Do you have a recommendation for a agenda item for a breakout session or the general session? If so, please complete the agenda recommendation form by June 30, 2025. Your submission will be considered by the Agenda Planning Committee for a breakout session or the general session. If the committee doesn't select your recommendation this year, it might be considered for next year's state convention.
Outreach & Sponsorship Recommendations
Do you have a recommendation for an individual or company/organization to have an outreach or sponsorship opportunity during this year's state convention? If so, please complete the outreach/sponsorship recommendation form by June 30. All recommendations will be considered by the Outreach/Sponsorship Committee.
Registration
- 2024 NFBNJ State Convention Registration Form (HTML)
- 2024 NFBNJ State Convention Registration Form (Rich Text Formatted Document)
- 2024 NFBNJ State Convention Registration Form (PDF)
Agenda
Please note that the agenda is subject to change due to last minute changes during the convention.
State Convention Donations
To make a donation via PayPal, click on the link below:
https://www.nfbnj.org/state-convention/donations
To donate by check, please make your check payable to NFBNJ and mail to:
National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey
PO Box 2202
Vincentown, NJ 08088
In the memo please write, convention donation.
Exhibitors, Resources, & Sponsors
The National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey thank all exhibitors, resources and sponsors for their support to change what it means to be blind. To view the listing of exhibitors, resources and sponsors for our 48th state convention, “Don't Stop Believing,” please visit www.nfbnj.org/state-convention/exhibitors-sponsors and then click on the appropriate link to view info for either the sponsors or the exhibitors.
Please use the following link to register as a sponsor:
https://www.nfbnj.org/state-convention/sponsor-registration
You can also register as a sponsor by indicating you want your donation of $50 or more to be listed as a sponsorship donation while either completing the convention registration form or the convention donation form.
Integrity and Respect
To allow all attendees the chance to benefit from all aspects of the convention, we are committed to providing a harassment-free environment for everyone. We appreciate your assistance in cultivating an atmosphere in which participants from diverse backgrounds may learn, network, and share with each other in an environment of mutual respect. Thank you for doing your part to contribute to our community and 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
Meet our National Representative
Patti Gregory-Chang
Development Director, Attorney, Advocate, Mother
After graduating from Harbor Springs High School in 1981, Patti planned to attend school with hopes of becoming a teacher of blind students. After earning her teaching certificate at Michigan State University, she discovered a passion for law and enrolled in the University of Chicago Law School. Patti graduated from law school in 1988 and worked in the City of Chicago Law Department for twenty-eight years. She began her tenure in the Traffic Division and worked her way up to Assistant Corporation Counsel. In this position she prosecuted housing court matters in the Circuit Court of Cook County and handled collection matters for the Building and Land Use Litigation Division of the City of Chicago Law Department.
Patti became Senior Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago Law Department in 1998. In this role she prosecuted cases, supervised attorneys prosecuting cases, coordinated law clerks and externs, and served on various committees and task forces.
In 2016 Patti embarked on a second career, accepting the position of Director of Outreach for the National Federation of the Blind, the largest organization of blind people in the world. In fact, Patti has devoted much of her free time to the National Federation of the Blind since joining in 1981. Patti currently serves as the 2nd Vice President of the Illinois affiliate of the NFB and has served on its National Board of Directors as well as working as national scholarship committee chair for some years.
Patti lives in Chicago. In her spare time, Patti and her husband love to travel, dance, and enjoy spending time with family and friends. They boast of two successful adult children, Johnathon and Julia, and a wonderful grandchild, Kayla Ma Chang. In her spare time Patti and Francisco dance and love to travel.
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.