NABM President Nicky Gacos and the Board of Directors are pleased to be returning to Des Moines, Iowa for what is being pegged as BLAST Field of Dreams. Just like the Kevin Costner character in the movie who believed if he built it they would come, we are sponsoring a training event with the belief that people will come. 

This will be NABM’s third trip to Des Moines.  We used to bill these as regional conferences but we are opening this one up to anyone in the country who would want to attend.  And we are planning an agenda worthy of the BLAST name. 

Activities start on the evening of June 14 with a networking reception at the Savory Hotel.  On Thursday morning, we will convene at the nearby Iowa Department for the Blind for a half-day of training.  Buses will take us to the headquarters of U-Select-It where lunch will be served, additional presenters will speak, and there will be a tour of the manufacturing facility.  Buses will take attendees to the farm for an outdoor dinner which you don’t want to miss.  It’s fantastic.  Then you will be dropped back off at your downtown hotel.  On Friday morning, we reconvene at the Department for the Blind for another half-day training session.  The training will conclude no later than noon so you can get to your Friday afternoon flights. 

The training is free.  Wednesday’s networking reception and Thursday’s lunch and dinner are included.  However, so we can plan the meal functions and transportation, attendees are asked to register by going to: https://iowadeptblind.wufoo.com/forms/qcsglya1flmdkw/

We have a small block of rooms at the Savery Hotel. This is a historic Marriott property in the heart of Downtown Des Moines and just 2 blocks from the Iowa Department for the Blind.  You can book your rooms by going to: https://www.marriott.com/events/start.mi?id=1680108428672&key=GRP  The deadline for booking is May 24th.  The rate is $111 per night.  If the block is full, you should still be able to get the state rate if rooms are available.  There are several hotels in the downtown area that give state rates and none of them are too far away.  Most have free shuttles who will take you to the training site. 

We look forward to seeing you in Des Moines for our exciting BLAST Field of Dreams!    

 

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.

 

Our Sponsors

 

Coca-Cola

PEPSICO

Sodexo

Blackstone Consulting, Inc.

FSIG

Southern Teaming Partners

RSA Management Group

VISTAR

U-Select-It

Brown, Goldstein, and Levy

Tyler Technologies

3 Square

Red Bull