State Convention
The National Federation of the Blind of Arkansas 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 Arkansas 2025 State Convention
Friday, April 4 through Saturday, April 5, 2025
Theme: Breaking Barriers-Change starts with Us
Thank you for attending the 2024 state convention. Please stay tuned for details regarding the 2025 state convention.
Register and make a difference in the lives of blind Arkansasans!
The 2025 State Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Arkansas will be held at:
LaQuinta Inn & Suites
1001 SE Walton Blvd.
Bentonville, Arkansas 72712
We will be live streaming portions of the convention that will be recorded for archival purposes on the website.
Note: The agenda will be finalized, distributed, and posted on the state website in mid to late March. 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. Also, hear from speakers on topics of national and state importance, membership, seniors, technology, Braille, students, guide dog users, and parents’ concerns, meet the scholarship class of 2025 and much more!
We are proud to announce that John Pare, Executive director of Advocacy & Policy at the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, will serve as the national rep for this year's state convention. Click here to read his bio.
Mark your calendars and make every effort to attend the 2025 State Convention of the NFB of Arkansas. Get involved. Make a difference! Please share with others, everyone is welcome!
Room Reservations
The La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Bentonville is now accepting room reservations for the state convention. To make your reservation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, please dial 479-271-7555 and use the group code of WY040325AS, or visit our room reservation booking link. The best time to call is during regular business hours, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. The 2025 room rate is $129/night for both king and queen rooms. Hotel room rates are subject to applicable state and local taxes, which will be in effect at the time of check-out.
Our room block is available until Thursday, March 20. Please make your reservations early. You need a credit card to secure your reservation, but your card will not be charged until arrival.
Note: if you can not attend and you have made hotel reservations, don’t call the hotel to cancel. Please call Nena Chadwick at 479-435-8348. Nena usually has a waiting list to review as many learn about the state convention after Thursday, March 20.
Registration
Registration for the 2025 NFB of Arkansas State Convention is now open!
The in-person convention registration including the banquet is $70 per person. In addition virtual convention registration is $10 per person and does not include a banquet ticket. This rate is good till Thursday, March 20, 2025. All registrations completed after March 20 will incur an additional charge of $10 per person. It is to your advantage to register before March 20, 2025 via the online registration form. If you are registering multiple people for the convention, you MUST fill out a separate form for each attendee.
Click here to register for the convention.
Dietary Requests
Those with special dietary needs for any of the meals should contact Nena Chadwick, 479-435-8348 or nchadwick@nfbar.org. The deadline for such requests is March 15.
Agenda
Sponsorship and Exhibiting Opportunities
The 71st annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Arkansas will be more exciting than ever, with blind individuals, educators, rehabilitation professionals, and various service providers expected at this year’s convention. We invite you to support this year’s convention weekend of diverse activities. Become a significant partner. Click here to learn more about being a sponsor or exhibitor at this year's state convention!
Convention Donations
We are asking for your help with the 2025 Arkansas State Convention. We need donations for our auction and door prizes. A broad range of demographics will be attending, so we are seeking various donations to help make this vital fundraiser a success! Click here to learn more about how you can donate towards this year's state convention.
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
John Pare
Executive Director of Advocacy & Policy, National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute
Mr. Paré is the executive director for Advocacy and Policy at the National Federation of the Blind. In this position he oversees the NFB-NEWSLINE® program, the largest electronic newspaper service in the world, the Independence Market, and the Federation’s Governmental Affairs office. He has testified before the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations Legislative Branch Subcommittee regarding library services for blind Americans. He was instrumental in the negotiations and passage of the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act and the Marrakesh Treaty Implementation Act. He has appeared on CNN, Fox, BBC, and various radio programs to discuss issues affecting blind Americans. He has a bachelor’s and master’s from the University of Florida in Gainesville.
Additional Information
Additional information will be posted as soon as it becomes available. Please check back often. For more information, please contact us at 479-435-8348 or nchadwick@nfbar.org.