Friday, October 25, 2024
Morning
6:00 to 6:30 AM—Pre-Registration Pick-Up Only
Garden Room
Need your meal tickets? Stop in to pick up your pre-registration packet only!
6:00 to 7:30 AM—Pre-Purchased Breakfast Buffet
Garden Room
Bring the correct day’s ticket with you to exchange for a buffet bracelet. Service will be provided only to those with bracelets.
8:00 AM to 2 PM—Pre-Registration Pick-Up and On-Site Registration
Studio Room
8:00 AM to Noon—Exhibit Hall
Talmadge Ballroom
Visit our array of exhibitors to view the many fine products and learn about services and resources available for those with blindness and low vision. Speak to representatives directly and have all your questions answered.
8:00 to 8:25 AM–Pay Affiliate Membership Dues
Studio Ballroom
Our annual dues are $10; place your dues in an envelope with your name and best contact number.
8:15 AM–NFB/NFB of NJ, Social Media, and You!
Windsor Ballroom
Stephanie Cascone, Director of Communications, NFB HQ
Jason Resnik, Social Media Coordinator, NFB of NJ
8:15 AM– Thriving Together: Exploring Traveling and Cultivating Connections
Lincoln Room
Lia Stone, 1st VP, NFB of NJ; Bree Douglas, VP, Northeast Chapter
9:30 AM–The NFB: Why Do We Do What We Do?
Windsor Ballroom
Denise Avant, Esq., Chair Membership Committee, NFB; HQ
Melissa Lomax, Chair, NFB of NJ Membership Committee
11:00 AM Exhibit Hall
Windsor Ballroom
Last chance to visit resources and vendors
Noon to 12:20 PM–Pre-Purchased Lunch Pick-Up
Garden Room
Pick up your pre-purchased lunch. You must bring the correct day’s lunch ticket with you to exchange for your meal!
Opening Session
1:15 PM Music from our NFB Album “Rhythm of the Movement”
Windsor Ballroom
1:30 PM Welcome and Call to Order
Linda Melendez, President, NFB of NJ
1:40 PM–Opening Ceremonies
Jane Degenshein, NFB of NJ Board Member
- Pledge of Allegiance
- NFB Pledge
- Invocation
- Honoring Veterans
2:00 PM–National Representative’s Report: Don’t Stop Believing
Patti Gregory-Chang, Esq., Director of Outreach, NFB HQ
2:45 PM–Nominating Committee Report
Annemarie Cooke, Chair Nominating Committee
3:00 PM–Membership: Together We Transform Dreams into Reality
Denise Avant, Esq., Chair Membership Committee, NFB; HQ
3:20 PM–Fit Break
Stephanie Cascone, Director of Communications, NFB HQ
3:35 PM–Moving Forward Together in NJ
Kaylee McGuire, Deputy Commissioner, Aging and Disability Services, NJ Department of Human Services;
Charles Patterson McKenna, Esq Assistant Division Director, NJ Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired
4:05 PM–What’s New at the TBBC?
Adam Szczepaniak, Director NJ Talking Book and Braille Center
4:15 PM–What’s New with Access Link?
4:45 PM–Announcements
5:00 PM–Adjourn
Evening Program
5:00 PM to 5:15 PM–Banquet Exchange
Windsor Ballroom
5:30 PM–Federation Family Meal
Talmadge Ballroom
Bring your pre-purchased meal ticket to enjoy a meal together as we meet new members and reconnect with old friends. Everyone must have a pre-purchased ticket to attend and be served.
7:00 PM–Affiliate Auction—New Day & Time!
Talmadge Ballroom
This is it—the moment you’ve been waiting for! Bring your cash, checkbook, or credit card to bid on items. With prizes varying values, everyone, whether on a budget or not, is bound to find a treasure to take home! Donated auction items are welcomed and can be dropped off in the Studio Room during open registration hours. Please come and support our affiliate!
8:30 PM–Entertainment—The Sing-Down!
Windsor Ballroom
Come show off your music IQ in a group competition! Can you name a song that has the word “love” in the lyrics? How about “baby” or “door?” If you can, then this event is for you! In each round, teams will be given a word by the judges and will have time to come up with as many songs as possible that contain this word. Then, the sing-down begins as teams sing a portion of their songs, until only one team remains. The team with the most victories wins! Audience members are strongly encouraged to enjoy the music, help judge the accuracy of the songs, and, of course, laugh! There will be a cash bar and plenty of time to socialize with friends old and new.