Convention – National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania

National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania 2023 STATE CONVENTION

Thursday, November 9 through Sunday, November 12, 2023

The National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania 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.

The 2023 State Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania will be held at:
Crowne Plaza Harrisburg-Hershey
23 S 2nd Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101

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 October. 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, merchants, deafblind, and parents’ concerns, meet the scholarship class of 2023 and much more!

Mark your calendars and make every effort to attend the 2023 State Convention of the NFB of Pennsylvania. Get involved. Make a difference! Please share with others, everyone is welcome!

Room Reservations

The Crowne Plaza is now accepting room reservations for the State Convention. To make your reservation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, please visit https://www.ihg.com.cn/redirect?path=hd&brandCode=CP&localeCode=en&regionCode=1&hotelCode=mdtdt&_PMID=99801505&GPC=NFB&cn=yes&viewfullsite=true or dial 717-234-5021 and state that you are attending the NFB of Pennsylvania State Convention. The best time to call is during regular business hours, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. The 2023 room rate is $99 a night. Hotel room rates are subject to applicable state and local taxes, which at present is 6% and will be in effect at the time of check-out.

For those considering arriving early, there is a limited number of available guest rooms as another group will be occupying most of the hotel on Wednesday, November 8. The Hotel will be releasing our block of rooms on October 15, 2023 so make your reservation quickly. You will need a credit card to secure your reservation, There will be no charge to your card until you arrive at the hotel. In addition, there are a limited number of wheelchair accessible rooms and if needed, make it known when you are making your room reservation.

Note: if you can not attend and you have made hotel reservations, don’t call the hotel to cancel. Please call Lynn Heitz at 215-988-0888. Lynn usually has a waiting list to review as many learn about the state convention after Sunday, October 15.

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
sexual 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.

Audio from Past Conventions

Please visit our Past Conventions page to access audio highlights from previous State Conventions.

Additional Information

Additional information will be posted as soon as it becomes available. Please check back often.

If you have any questions, please contact one of the following people:

Emily Gindlesperger, Convention Chair
Email: convention@nfbp.org

Lynn Heitz, NFB of Pennsylvania President
Phone: 215-988-0888
Email: president@nfbp.org