by LeRoy F. Saunders, Convention Coordinator
Before long we will be gathering for our July convention in Des Moines, Iowa. As I write this, it is early March, but time seems to fly faster and faster for all of us, and the convention will be here in a flash.
ACB's Convention Committee is working very hard to make this one of our most successful conventions. Since we will be using at least four hotels, three of which connect by a skywalk to the convention complex, we will do everything possible to make things run smoothly and be as convenient as possible for all of you who attend the convention.
The Des Moines Convention Bureau is making all our hotel reservations, and if you have not made reservations at this time, please do so as soon as possible. The number for reservations is 1-800-451-2625. When you call for reservations, please tell them you are registering for the ACB convention in July.
There are three hotels which connect to the convention complex by an air-conditioned skywalk and these are the Marriott (which will be the lead hotel), the Savery and the Kirkwood. Our fourth convention hotel is the Fort Des Moines which is a few blocks from the convention complex and can either be accessed by walking or shuttle. If you are staying at the Fort Des Moines you will need to make arrangements with the bellman for the shuttle to the convention center. All hotels pick up at the airport. The airport is about 15 minutes from downtown.
The skywalk also connects to a shopping area, food court and a Walgreens. We will have volunteers stationed at designated locations on the skywalk to give directions.
The general sessions, exhibits, and many meetings of special-interest groups will take place in the convention complex. Because we have so many people who want to get together for meetings of their special-interest groups, some of the meetings will have to be held at the Marriott and Savery. There will be quick meals in the convention complex for your convenience. If you have difficulty walking any distance, you can obtain free shuttle service to the convention complex from your hotel.
The Iowa Council of the United Blind has been tremendously supportive in helping in all areas of preparing for this convention. Donna Seliger, the president, has done an outstanding job in coordinating committees to assist with the convention. Donna and her husband, Bob, have written excellent directions for navigating through the hotels, skywalk and convention complex. The members of the Iowa Council are to be commended for their enthusiastic approach to this convention.
By the middle of January, 500 hotel rooms had already been reserved. I must remind you again that it is very important to ACB that you cancel your reservations as soon as possible if circumstances occur which prevent you from attending. In our contract we commit to a certain number of rooms in the hotels, and if we don’t use at least 80 percent of the rooms, then we have to pay additional money to compensate for the rooms that we did not use. This can be very expensive for ACB. One year we were not able to meet our block commitment, and it cost ACB about $25,000 more than we had budgeted for the convention.
At this time the Des Moines convention is on schedule; however, there are some things that cannot be completed until we get closer to convention time. All in all, things are going very well, and I think all of us will enjoy the convention. Des Moines is a friendly city with good restaurants and sites to see. The Iowa Council is willing to do whatever they can to make this a memorable convention. For detailed information about the ACB national convention, which will take place in Des Moines, Iowa, from June 30 until July 8, visit the ACB web site at http://www.acb.org, and select the Convention Information link.