Expect Much - Give Much - Get Much: 2023/2024 NFB of Maryland State Convention - February 16 - 18, 2024!

Get ready for a weekend of fun and fellowship.  Come and be part of celebrating our accomplishments and planning for the future!

• Date: February 16 -18, 2024
• Place: Sheraton Baltimore North Hotel, 903 Dulaney Valley Road, Towson, MD 21204
• Meet our keynote speaker and National Representative.
• Explore opportunities through special workshops for parents and teachers of blind children, blind merchants and entrepreneurs, and students. Check out our technology workshops and more.
• Examine new products at the exhibit hall on Friday.
• Attend a job fair.
• Help us raise expectations for ourselves and for officials who manage services for the blind.

NFB Maryland State Convention Information

• Date: February 16 to 18, 2024
• Place: Sheraton Baltimore North Hotel, 903 Dulaney Valley Road, Towson, MD 21204
• Make hotel reservations on or before January 15, 2024 by calling 410-321-7400. Room rates are $99 per night plus tax. 
• Registration on or before January 15, 2024 = $25 per adult and free for kids 16 and under
• Registration after January 15, 2024 = $30 per adult and free for kids 16 and under

NFB Maryland State Convention Pricing

• Lodging: $99 per night plus tax  - room block closes January 15, 2024
• Registration: $25 on or before January 15, 2024; $30 after January 15, 2024 - Kids age 16 and under are free
• Transportation from New Carrollton: $50 on or before January 15, 2024; $60 after January 15, 2024
• Banquet: $55 on or before January 15, 2024; $60 after January 15, 2024
• Friday Boxed Lunch: $20 on or before January 15, 2024 (Note, a fish option has been added for those observing Lent)
• Friday Dinner & a Play: $25 on or before January 15, 2024; $30 after January 15, 2024
• Saturday Luncheons (Seniors, Parents, and Students): $30 on or before January 15, 2024; $35 after January 15, 2024

Registration

Registration is available via the link below and will be open with pre-registration rates through January 15, 2024. 

Click Here to Register Online!

Financial Assistance Application - Deadline November 15, 2023!

The deadline for requesting financial assistance is November 15, 2023.  Those who previously submitted a financial assistance application prior to the change in convention date need not submit a new application.  Funds are limited, and only those who provide proof of Convention Preregistration and a letter of support from their chapter president will be considered.  Applicants should complete a Financial Assistance Application Form by the November 15, 2023 deadline.

Special Information for First-Time Attendees

All first-time convention attendees are cordially invited to attend a First-Timers Orientation from 8 to 9:30 p.m., on Thursday, February 8.  The Ambassadors Committee will walk you through the events that will take place throughout the weekend, explain processes such as door prizes and voting, as well as make sure every first-time convention attendee is matched with a mentor. 

Connection information is as follows:

Zoom Meeting ID: 624 813 8327

One-Number Conference Call: 339-209-4083

Convention virtual viewing Options

• There are several virtual viewing options  this year using streaming, zoom, and smart devices.

Convention Agendas

NFB of Maryland State Convention Agenda - Coming Soon!

• NFBMD 2023/2024 Convention agenda - MS Word - coming soon!
• NFBMD 2023/2024 Convention agenda - PDF - Coming Soon!
• NFBMD 2023/2024 Convention agenda - BRF - Coming Soon!

Maryland Parents of Blind Children Annual Conference Agenda - Coming Soon!

• MDPOBC Annual Seminar agenda - MS Word - Coming Soon!
• MDPOBC Annual Seminar agenda - PDF - Coming Soon!

Maryland Association of Blind Students Annual Business Meeting Agenda - Coming Soon!

• MDABS business meeting agenda - MS word - Coming Soon!
• MDABS business meeting agenda - PDF - Coming Soon!
• MDABS agenda - BRF - Coming Soon!

Maryland Association of Blind Students Annual Seminar Agenda - Coming Soon!

• MDABS seminar agenda - MS Word - Coming Soon!
• MDABS seminar agenda - PDF - Coming Soon!
• MDABS agenda - BRF - Coming Soon!

Annual Maryland Senior Issues Division Seminar

Information coming soon

Convention Child Care and Youth Activities 

During the convention we will be providing childcare for children ages six weeks to nine years old. We will be offering opportunities for our teens and tweens to participate in the convention, such as serving as mentors to our younger children for certain activities and opportunities to meet our other members within the affiliate. Childcare will be offered on Friday, Saturday, and the banquet Saturday night. Please register your child, including teens and tweens.

We ask that families donate $30 a day to cover the cost of childcare. However, if you are not able to make a donation please do not feel obligated. We will not let the cost of child care prevent families from attending the convention.

Seeking nominations for the Distinguished Educator of Blind Children Award 

The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland is seeking nominations for the Distinguished Educator of Blind Children Award. Please tell us how your child’s teacher works to help their students live the life they want with high expectations and strong skill development. Nominations can be sent to Committee Chairperson Teresa Graham. Download and fill out this distinguished educator nomination form and send it to the email address teresagraham3@gmail.com. if you need assistance completing the form, please call Teresa Graham at (443) 557-8696.

Read more about this award and the application process here.

Seeking Resolutions for the State Convention 

The Convention is the supreme authority of the National Federation of the Blind, and this too is true of the affiliates.  One of the most important charges of the Convention is to consider and vote on resolutions that come before it; those resolutions become the policy of the organization.  To that end, individuals interested in submitting resolutions should send them to NFBMD Resolutions Chairperson Chris Danielsen by email at cdanielsen@nfb.org by October 15, 2023.

NFBMD Cane Walk 

We will have a cane walk with individualized cane travel instruction by an NOMC on Friday at 4 p.m.  To reserve a slot for your child or for yourself, please contact Garret Mooney. 

Crab Idol

This American Idol-style evening promises to be fun for all ages.  Those wishing to perform songs can do so for $5 per person per performance.  Chapters and Divisions will battle it out to determine which has the most talent.  Enjoy snacks and fellowship thanks to the Maryland Association of Blind Students and Maryland Parents of Blind Children.  Proceeds support NFBMD, MDABS, and MDPBC.  To sign up to perform, contact Qualik Ford or Garret Mooney.

Seeking Sponsors

We are seeking sponsors for the State Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland. 

Those interested in sponsoring the Convention should complete the NFBMD Sponsor Form and send it to Ronza Othman by November 15, 2023.

Seeking Convention Exhibitors

We are looking forward to the NFBMD Exhibit Hall on Friday, February 16 from 11AM - 6PM.   

We are seeking exhibitors for the State Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland. 

Those interested in exhibiting at the Convention should complete the  NFBMD Exhibitor Form and send it to Ronza Othman by November 15, 2023.

On site dining options

We will post menus for on-site food options soon!

NFB of Maryland 2024 Career Fair

The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland (NFBMD), the state’s oldest and largest advocacy organization of and for blind and low vision Marylanders, will be hosting an in-person career fair on Friday, February 16, 2024 in connection with our NFBMD State Convention.  The Career Fair will take place from 1:00 – 4:00PM at the Sheraton Baltimore North Hotel, 903 Dulaney Valley Road, Towson, 21204. Job seekers and employers that want to participate in the NFB of Maryland 2024 Job Fair need to register by January 15, 2024.