State Convention
The National Federation of the Blind of Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 2023 State Convention
Thursday, March 2 through Sunday, March 5, 2023
Register and make a difference in the lives of blind Bay Staters!
The 2023 State Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Massachusetts will be held at:
Embassy Suites by Hilton Boston at Logan Airport
207 Porter Street
Boston, MA 02128
The in-person portion will be held from Friday, March 3 through Sunday March 5, 2023. We will have online programming on Thursday, March 2 and are working on having a live stream for all general session programming. Portions of the convention will be recorded for archival purposes.
Note: The agenda will be finalized, distributed, and posted on the state website in mid to late February. Yes, the agenda will be available on 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, NFB of Arizona President and board member of the NFB Board of Directors Donald Porterfield! Also, hear from speakers on topics of national and state importance, membership, seniors, technology, Braille, students, guide dog users, merchants, and parents’ concerns, meet the scholarship class of 2023 and much more!
Mark your calendars and make every effort to attend the 2023 State Convention of the NFB of Massachusetts. Get involved. Make a difference! Please share with others, everyone is welcome!
Room Reservations
The Embassy Suites by Hilton Boston at Logan Airport is now accepting room reservations for the State Convention. To make your reservation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, please dial 617-567-5000 and use the group code of NF2, or visit https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/bosapes-nf2-d32ee23a-7487-4d39-b8be-237a8baa26c0. The best time to call is during regular business hours, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. The 2023 room rate is $149 a night for a room with one king bed or $159 a night for a room with two queen beds. Hotel room rates are subject to applicable state and local taxes, which at present is a total of 14.45% 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, March 1. Don’t hesitate, please make your room reservations as soon as possible. Our block of rooms are available until Wednesday, February 1, and any remaining rooms will become available to the general public. 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 Shara Winton at 617-600-8130. Shara usually has a waiting list to review as many learn about the State Convention after Wednesday, February 1. If you are a student in Massachusetts, please contact Shara rather than the hotel for your hotel reservations.
Registration
Online registration is now open for the 2023 NFB of Massachusetts State Convention! Registration with the convention is required in order to be eligible for our discounted room rates at the hotel.
Please note that the reduced convention registration rate of $20 per person for a day pass, $40 per person for Saturday only including Saturday lunch, $60 per person for Saturday only including Saturday lunch and banquet, and $80 per person for the entire convention will only be available up through Friday, February 9. All on site registrations and online registrations performed between February 10 and February 20 will incur additional charges of $15 per person for the day pass, Saturday only with lunch, and Saturday only with lunch and banquet, and $20 per person for the entire convention. In order to give the hotel an accurate meal count, online registration will close on Monday, February 20. If you register on site at the convention, we can not guarantee that your meal option will be available. All online and on-site registrations will not be considered as completed until payment has been received. So don't delay, register for the convention today!
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.
National Rep Bio
You can read Donald Porterfield's bio at https://nfb.org/about-us/leadership/board-directors/donald-porterfield.
Additional Information
Additional information will be posted as soon as it becomes available. Check back often. For more information, please contact us at 617-600-8130 or sharawinton@gmail.com.