Photo montage of people having fun at various ABL fundraisers

ABL State Convention 2023

We are so excited to announce that you are now able to pre-register for the ABL State Convention! To pre-register please click here: ABL Inc. 40th Anniversary - Celebrate Good Times!

See below for convention details!

Picture shows a bumblebee flying over the words Celebrate Good Tmes. The letters in the word celebrate are clored in with yellow and dark grey stripes, have antennas and wings to make them look like bumblebees. The words Good Times are in a light blue color. At the bottom the words Affiliated Blind of Louisiana, Inc. 40th Anniversary are in a dark grey color.

November 10^thto November 12^th

Everyone around Louisiana, come on, it’s a celebration! It’s time to come together, we are planning for the best time ever!

CONVENTION REGISTRATION

$65.00 Pre-Registration Fee

$75.00 On-Site Registration Fee

(NOTE: Children 12 and under admitted free)

Upon receiving your pre-convention registration application and fees, ABL will send you a receipt for your payment.
If you pre-register and all fees are paid by Thursday, October 12, 2023, your name will be placed in a drawing for 2 free nights at the convention hotel!

Pre-registration will end Thursday, October 12, 2023. This due date will be strictly observed due to convention administrative obligations, no exceptions. After this date, this fee will be raised to $75.00 and will be collected at the registration table at the convention site.

Type this link into your web browser to register today: https://abltc.wufoo.com/forms/qx3w1ao1cs20hd/

All ABL Convention fees are non-refundable.

Hotel Reservations

Homewood Suites by Hilton – Lafayette Airport

201 Kaliste Saloom Rd

Lafayette, LA 70508

(337)264-6044

$119.00 Per Night – singles through quads

($133.82 per night including all hotel taxes and fees)

When making your reservation, please identify yourself as an ABL Convention Participant. Reservations must be made no later than Thursday, October 12, 2023. This deadline will be strictly observed! Rates and availability are limited.

You can also use this QR Code to book your room today!

Convention Bus Transportation Information

This year, ABL is charging a minimal fee of $10 to assist in transportation costs. If you need transportation to Lafayette, we ask that you pay this fee along with your convention registration. When we see that you have checked off that you need transportation on the convention pre-registration application, we will add your name to a list and call you with bus pick up and drop off locations at least two weeks prior to the event.

Transportation fees are non- refundable.

Convention T-Shirt Information

Order Ahead!

Pre-order your ABL Convention t-shirts for only $15.00 when you register! Don’t miss out on this chance to guarantee your size and receive the discounted price. Pre-sale shirts will be handed out during registration at the convention site on Friday, November 10, 2023.

The $15 fee for your souvenir t-shirt is due by Thursday, October 12, 2023 and should be enclosed along with pre-registration fees. Size choices are listed on the pre-registration application. After this date, t-shirt prices will be raised to $20 and sold at the convention site.

ABL souvenir t-shirt pre-sales are non- refundable.

Agenda

(This agenda is subject to change.)

Celebrate Good Times!

Friday, November 10

12:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Convention Registration - Hotel Meeting Hallway

Let’s celebrate 40 years of ABL! Come on, it’s a celebration! Meet representatives from the Acadiana Chapter who are ready to give you lots of fun and exciting swag and your official convention program available in Braille and large print as well as your name tag that gets you into the fun! Don’t forget to join in on the free vendor and exhibitor game by filling out the form with the vendor and exhibitor signatures to be eligible for loads of prizes to be given away at the Friday Night Social!

12:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Vendors and Exhibitors

There’s a party going on right here! Vendors and exhibitors providing services that can help you throughout the year. So, bring some spending money and fill your convention bag too, these vendors are going to have a party with you!

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Randolph Sheppard Training Update - Hotel Meeting Room 2

Let’s all celebrate the ABL Randolph Sheppard training and have a good time! Come on and learn about the training and meet the ABL RS manager trainer and the Director of Blind Services for Louisiana. Everyone who is a graduate of this ABL program, other managers, or if you want to learn more about Randolph Sheppard training, come on and join this celebration!

3:30 pm – 4:30 pm: Break Out Sessions

Hotel Meeting Room 1 - Deaf Blind Technology

Hotel Meeting Room 2 – Top 10 Apps for the Blind

The technology party is going on right here, it’s a celebration to last throughout the year! Whether you want to learn more about technology specific to the DeafBlind community or would like to find out about the top ten apps for the blind, this is the party for you!

7:00 pm – 11:00 pm: Friday Night Social - Hotel Meeting Rooms 1 & 2

It’s time to come together! It’s the Friday night Braille bingo and bar bash! Let’s celebrate the first night of the convention with a fun and exciting night filled with music by DJ Bayou Mike, anniversary bingo games available in Braille and large print, ABL anniversary quiz questions, door prizes, and a cash bar.

Saturday, November 11

7:30 am – 8:45 am: Breakfast - Hotel Lobby

8:00 am – 10:00 am: Convention Registration

Let’s celebrate 40 years of ABL! Meet representatives from the Acadiana Chapter who are ready to give you lots of fun and exciting swag and your official convention program available in Braille and large print as well as your name tag that gets you into the fun!

9:15 am – 12:00 pm: General Session - Hotel Meeting Rooms 1 & 2

General Session Schedule

9:15 am: Welcome - Gertie Bias, ABL State President and Harlon Cowsar, ABL Acadiana Chapter President

9:30 am: Celebrating TC Success - Lynn Blanchard, ABL Training Center Executive Director

10:00 am: Celebrating what ABL Means to Me – Chapter Representatives

10:30 am: ABL Business Meeting and Annual Elections – ABL State Board of Directors

12:00 pm: Lunch Break – Box lunches will be served.

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm: Aira Presentation - Hotel Meeting Room 1 & 2

Celebrating how Aira can help you navigate the world! Meet an Aira operator who will walk you through each step of using their services.

2:45 pm: Buses load to head to the ABL Training Center! - Hotel Lobby

3:00 pm – 8:00 pm: 40^th Reunion Bash – ABL Training Center

Yahoo! Bring your good times and your laughter too. Share in the festivities including live bands, food, drinks, training center tours and classroom activities, games, silent and live auction, and special presentations commemorating 40 years of services!

8:00 pm: Buses load to head to the Hotel

8:45 pm to 10:00 pm: Desserts! – Hotel Meeting Room 1 & 2

It’s not a celebration if you don’t have desserts! It’s up to you, what’s your pleasure? Unwind and relax with your ABL friends and family for a sweet treat before bed!

Sunday, November 12

7:00 am – 9:00 am: Breakfast - Hotel Lobby

9:00 am – 10:00 am: Check Out and Board the Buses

You can use this QR Code to Pre-Register for Convention:

Picture has the words Affiliated Blind of Louisiana, Inc. Below the words is the number 40 with the word year in the number 0. Beneath the number is a ribbon that says Anniversary with 2 bumblebees sticking out on each side with their thums up.

Thank You To Our Amazing Sponsors!

How Can You Help?

To help in any way, please contact us here at the ABL Training Center by giving us a call, making a donation, or just stopping by.