The annual convention of the North Dakota Association of the Blind is held every June. Not only is this a time for members to gather and conduct business together, but it is also a time to share news, learn what local vendors and agencies have to offer, renew old friendships and make new ones. The convention is held at a different major city each year.

2023 Convention

See Blind Possible

June 9-11, 2023

Blind people do everything. We are educated, employed, and active. As your next door neighbors, co-workers, friends, and family, we put no limitations on our ability to do whatever we want. We write books, record music, run marathons, own businesses, and so much more. There is nothing that assistive technology and a good attitude cannot fix.

The 2023 Convention Committee invites you to “See Blind Possible” at our 86th Annual Convention of the North Dakota Association of the Blind. The Convention will take place Friday, June 9 – Sunday, June 11, 2023, at the Hampton Inn & Suites, located at 2985 South 42nd Street, Grand Forks, ND.

A block of rooms (including King, Double Queen, and Accessible Rooms) has been reserved for $150 + taxes per night with a minimum two-night stay. To reduce room expense, individuals paying for rooms will be reimbursed $30 per night by NDAB at the Convention. Please keep your hotel receipt until you are reimbursed. Reserve your hotel room by May 21st by calling the hotel directly at 701-757-2255. Mention “ND Association of the Blind” when making reservations to ensure you are booking under the block of rooms.

Directions to the Hampton: From I-29, take Exit 138 and turn east on 32nd Avenue. Then turn north on 42nd Street. The hotel will be on your right. From Highway 2, turn south on 42nd Street. The hotel will be on your left.

The NDAB and hotel staff cannot be held responsible to administer medications or provide assistance with personal cares. If you need assistance, please plan to attend the convention with a family member or attendant. A limited number of volunteers will be available to initially help locate both meeting and hotel rooms and assist during scheduled coffee breaks.

NDAB Convention Planning Committee

Remember

If you are attending Convention for the first time, be sure to mark your registration form and your name will be included in a random drawing for one of two $250 stipends. There will also be a drawing for up to ten $100 stipends. In order to qualify for either of the drawings, your registration form needs to be returned by Monday, May 8th. If you receive a stipend, you will be notified before Convention. The stipends can be used for any Convention-related travel and/or hotel expenses.

Registrations will be accepted up to May 18th but will only be eligible for stipends if received by May 8th.

If you have questions, call Paul Olson at (701) 795-2717.

Follow this link to register online.

On Friday night, after checking into the hotel and stopping by the NDAB Convention registration table at the Hampton, join us at North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind (500 Stanford Road) for dinner and an evening of fun with friends old and new!

Grand Forks area Lions Clubs will be sponsoring and serving the picnic dinner. There will be outdoor (or indoor, if the weather doesn’t cooperate) games and the opportunity to tour NDVS/SB.

Transportation to and from NDVS/SB will be provided by the city of Grand Forks. A bus will leave the hotel at 5:00 and 5:30 p.m. and return to the hotel from NDVS/SB at 8:00 & 8:15 p.m.

Saturday’s business meeting and banquet will be held at the Hampton in their meeting rooms. Our banquet speaker will be Steve Johnson, a long-time member of the Grand Forks Lions Club. Steve is a past President of the ND Lions Foundation and the former director of the Grand Forks Airport Authority. He epitomizes the Lions motto, “We serve.” Saturday’s boxed lunch and banquet will be catered by Eagle’s Crest Grill of Grand Forks.

Provisional agenda

Friday, June 9th:

3 p.m. Registration at Hampton Inn & Suites begins
5:30 p.m. Social and picnic dinner at North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind
8:00 p.m. Return to Hampton Inn & Suites

Saturday, June 10th:

8:30 a.m. Business Meeting begins
10:30 a.m. Special Activity
11:45 a.m. Boxed Lunch with the Legislators
1:00 p.m. Meeting resumes
4:30 p.m. Meeting adjourns for the day
6 p.m. Social hour and banquet

Sunday, June 11th:

8:00 a.m. Memorial Service
9:00 a.m. Business Meeting resumes
12:00 p.m. Convention adjourns

Coffee breaks will occur at regular intervals throughout the meeting.

Special Notice

ACB will be holding a portion of their conference and convention in person this year at the Omaha Hilton and Convention Center Omaha, Nebraska from July 1st through 8th. Please see acb.org for more information. Each year NDAB makes ten $300 stipends available to those attending the national convention. If you would like to be considered, make a letter of request, email, or phone our treasurer no later than June 10th for consideration. The Board will make final decisions at NDAB’s post-convention Board meeting.

Past Conventions

2021 – Online. Theme: “Get ‘er Done in 2021 – with Kindness.” Announcement, Minutes.
2020 – Convention Canceled.
2019 – Minot Theme: “Imagine the possibilities.” Announcement, Minutes.
2018 – Bismarck. Theme: “Oh the places you will go.” Announcement, Minutes.
2017 – Devils Lake. Theme: “Spice up your life.” Announcement, Minutes.
2016 – Williston. Theme: “Welcome Home.” Announcement, Minutes.