The 80th BVA National Convention is Coming!
July 5-11, 2025
In July 2025, the Blinded Veterans Association will be hosting a joint convention with the American Council of the Blind (ACB) at the Hyatt Regency of Dallas, Texas.
Hotel Information
The Hyatt Regency Dallas is located at 300 Reunion Blvd, Dallas, TX 75207.
Room rates at the Hyatt are $99.00 per night (single or double occupancy), $124.00 per night (triple occupancy), and $149.00 per night (quadruple occupancy), plus a 15% tax. Each room is provided a refrigerator and a K-Cup coffee maker.
Parking at the hotel is $30.00 per day.
Online reservations can be made using the following link:
https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/DFWRD/G-AMCB.
To make reservations by phone call (800) 233-1234 and use group code G-AMCB.
To receive the guaranteed convention room rate, attendees must book their rooms by June 9, 2025.
Travel Information
Air Travel
Dallas has two airports:
- Dallas Love Field (DAL) is located 5 miles from the hotel. We recommend this airport as your travel hub.
- Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) is located 23 miles from the hotel.
Southwest is pleased to offer BVA National Convention attendees a 4% discount on all fares.
- Join Southwest’s Rapid Rewards to ensure you receive points for your travel, along with a 25% bonus on Rapid
Rewards points to the member. If you do not have a Rapid Rewards account already, you can create an account online. - To utilize the discount, book your trip online via SWABIZ® using this link. To make sure your discount is properly applied, please book your travel(s) between 7/2/2025 and 7/14/2025.
- Tickets booked via the eligible distribution channel(s) to or from the airports during the booking dates for travel during the travel dates are eligible for name changes up to 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure of the eligible traveler’s flight at no additional cost. The itinerary must remain the same in order to not be subject to a potential change in fare.
Travel Accommodations
Brenda McDaniel is pleased to assist you with your flight arrangements. You may contact her at (915) 204-0101 or by email at brenda_mcdaniel@sbcglobal.net. Contact Brenda between the hours of 10am-4:00pm Mountain Time.
BVA Gala Dinner
Available Entrees
- Pan Roasted Chicken Breast
- Grilled Salmon
- Braised Short Rib with Demi Glaze
- Beyond Meatloaf, Roasted Sweet Potato, Roasted Brussel Sprouts, Charred Pearl Onion (Vegetarian option)
All entrees come with the following items:
- Salad: Baby iceberg wedge, heirloom tomatoes, bacon lardons, shaved red onions, blue cheese crumbles, grain mustard dressing and apple cider vinaigrette
- Bread presentation
- Dessert: Key Lime Tart with shaved toasted coconut and blueberry puree
- Coffee, decaffeinated coffee, and hot tea selection
National Convention Resources
80th National Convention Member Registration Form (WEB)
Schedule of Events
* Events subject to change.
Open All Week
Date | Agenda |
|---|---|
Sunday, July 6 - Friday, July 11 7:00pm - 9:00pm | Veterans Service Program Claims Office |
Monday, July 7 - Friday, July 11 9:00am - 5:00pm | Waymo Bow Wow Lounge |
TBD | Nurse’s Office |
Saturday, July 5
Date | Agenda |
|---|---|
7:00pm - 9:00pm | BVA/ACB Joint Opening Ceremony |
Sunday, July 6
Date | Agenda |
|---|---|
9:00am - 5:00pm | Exhibit Hall Open |
9:00am - 5:00pm | BVA Registration |
10:00am - 11:00am | BVA Orientation |
11:15am - 3:00pm | Sound Bowl Session Holistic Healing & Relaxation/Dallas VA Rec Therapy Robert Hampton & Amor Aguilera |
3:30pm - 5:30pm | Emerging Technologies/Navigation Seminar Meta, NaviLens, WayAround, WeWalk, Biped |
Monday, July 7
Date | Agenda |
|---|---|
8:00am - 8:45am | BVA Orientation |
8:00am - 9:00am | BVA Registration |
9:00am - 11:30am | BVA Auxiliary Opening Business Meeting |
9:00am - 12:00pm | Opening Business Meeting/National Staff Reports |
11:00am - 5:00pm | Exhibit Hall Open |
12:15pm - 4:00pm | Offsite Trip/6th Floor Museum |
1:00pm - 3:00pm | District Caucus Meetings/District Directors |
4:15pm - 5:15pm | Learn Team BVA Interest Groups (Adaptive Sports, Book Club, and Dog Handler) |
6:30pm - 9:30pm | Hospitality Suite Hosted by Greater Houston Regional Group |
Tuesday, July 8
Date | Agenda |
|---|---|
7:00am - 8:00am | Dog Walk |
8:30am - 10:00am | Fireside Chat/508 Compliance Accessing VA Systems (coffee/pastries served) Moderated by Matt Ater- VP, Vispero |
9:00am - 5:00pm | BVA Auxiliary New Business & Adjournment |
10:30am - 12:00pm | Town Hall/ Department of Veterans Affairs Blind Rehabilitation & Prosthetic Services Niki Sandlan, National Program Director |
11:00am - 5:00pm | Exhibit Hall Open |
1:00pm - 2:30pm | Learn BVA (Veterans Service Program Ambassador Program, & Development) |
2:45pm - 4:15pm | Music Therapy/Dallas VA Rec Therapy Ruth Hook, Creative Arts Therapist |
4:30pm - 5:30pm | Hospitality Suite in lieu of Happy Hour Hosted by Greater Houston Regional Group |
6:30pm - 9:00pm | BVA Gala |
Wednesday, July 9
Date | Agenda |
|---|---|
8:00am-9:15am | Ambassador Breakfast Sponsored by OrCam (Active Ambassadors ONLY) |
9:00am-1:00pm | Exhibit Hall Open |
9:30am-11:00am | Cooking Seminar The Blind Kitchen & WayAround Deb Erickson, Executive Chef & Founder Neva Fairchild, WayAround |
12:30pm-2:15pm | Father Carroll Luncheon & Awards Ceremony |
2:00pm | Vote Now Elections & Bylaws Close (3:00pm Eastern) |
2:30pm-4:30pm | Meet the Board of Directors & Executive Director |
6:30pm-9:30pm | Hospitality Suite Hosted by Greater Houston Regional Group |
Thursday, July 10
Date | Agenda |
|---|---|
8:30am-9:30am | BVA Buds – Let Your Garden Grow Monique Statham, Gardening Group Facilitator |
10:00am-11:30am | Training for Regional Groups and Vice Presidents, with Board of Directors |
11:45am-3:45pm | Offsite Trip – AT&T Stadium VIP Tour Home of America’s Team/Dallas Cowboys |
1:00pm-2:30pm | VA Health and Benefits app Tracy Ferro, National Secretary |
BVA Auxiliary Tricky Tray Prizes Awarded | |
4:30pm-5:30pm | Block-TBD |
6:30pm-9:30pm | Hospitality Suite in lieu of Happy Hour Hosted by Greater Houston Regional Group |
Friday, July 11
Date | Agenda |
|---|---|
9:00am-11:30am | Closing Business Meeting- (Announcement and swearing in of elected officers, results of Bylaw elections, new business, and closing remarks) |
12:00pm-3:00pm | Tai Chi/Qigong Session-Dr. Yang, Dallas Rec Therapy |
4:00pm-8:00pm | Offsite Trip-Circle R Ranch-Texas BBQ |
Stay Tuned For More!
As we continue to approach the convention date, we will be updating this page with more information about the hotel, transportation, schedule, events, etc. Please check back regularly for new and updated information!
This year, The Blinded Veterans Association will be partnering with the American Council of the Blind (ACB) in hosting this historic gathering at the Hyatt Regency Riverfront Hotel in Jacksonville, Florida.
HOTEL UPDATE: Overflow Room Blocks are now available at the Marriott Jacksonville Downtown Hotel
The Marriott Jacksonville Downtown Hotel has reserved a room block from July 5-10, 2024 for BVA members who are not able to secure a room at the Hyatt Regency Riverfront due to sold out nights. The Marriott is located at 245 Water Street in Jacksonville and is .4 miles (10- minute walk) from the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront.
Room rates are $119 plus tax. Attendees will need to put a valid credit card on file upon check-in. To avoid incurring a cancellation or no-show charge of one night’s room and tax, cancellations must be received by no later than 3:00pm (48) hours prior to arrival. Please obtain a cancellation confirmation. All reservations must be booked no later than Friday, June 28, 2024.
To Book a room at the Marriott please call 1 (800) 228-9290 and reference the Blinded Veterans Association with code “BLV”, or click here to reserve online.
Digital Program
Registration
Registration for the BVA Convention is $150/person. BVA registration includes Convention bag, t-shirt, BVA business meetings, BVA Gala, and Father Carroll Luncheon. Due to manpower limitations, if you require special assistance of a caregiver, you will be required to make those arrangements and register them as a guest.
Hotel
This year the annual convention will take place at the Hyatt Regency Riverfront in Jacksonville at 225 East Coastline Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32202.
Rooms are $99 per night for Single or Double occupancy, $124 per night for Triple occupancy, and $149 per night for Quadruple occupancy. Room tax is 14.64%. The hotel will authorize a one-time $50 charge for the entire stay. Each attendee will need to supply a credit or debit card for the room. The card will not be charged but authorized only for that amount. In the case of a debit card, the funds will be held by the bank until after the guest checks out if the amount in full is not used.
Accommodations include free Wi-Fi, refrigerators in each room, a heated outdoor pool, and a 24-hour fitness center. Hotel self-parking is $15 per day including overnight and in/out fees. Valet parking is also available at $49 per day.
Dining options include the Market, SHOR Seafood Grill, Tavern, and Morton’s The Steakhouse.
To make reservations, book online or call (800) 233-1234 and use code G-ACOB. To receive the group rate you must register by June 10, 2024.
Dog Information
Dog Relief
Scoopmasters will provide and maintain our dog relief areas in Jacksonville.
Dog Food
If you would like to preorder dog food to be delivered to your hotel room, call Tim Stone at (661) 714-0749 or order online.
The form will ask for your name, phone number, and food brand and type. Tim will call to get the details within 24 hours and will accept payments at the hotel.
Food must be ordered by June 20th to ensure delivery.
Transportation
Plane
The Jacksonville Airport is located 15 miles from the hotel. For travel assistance, please contact Brenda K. McDaniel, Independent Travel Consultant and daughter of a BVA member, by email at brenda_mcdaniel@sbcglobal.net, or by telephone at (915) 204-0101 (between 11:00am and 6:30pm Eastern Time).
Bus
Megabus and Greyhound both drop off at the Greyhound station, located 1.2 miles from the hotel at 1111 W Forsyth St.
Train
The Amtrak station is located 5.6 miles from the hotel at 3570 Clifford Lane.
Local Transportation
Uber and Lyft will cost approximately $25 from the airport to the hotel. A taxi is about $10 more.
Paratransit / ADA Jacksonville Information
Please view page nine of the 2024 Convention Information document.
Exhibit Hall
The Exhibit Hall will be managed by ACB this year. To order your Exhibit Hall Booth contact Michael Smitherman, Conference Exhibits Coordinator, by email at exhibitors@acb.org, or by phone at (601) 331-7740.
Guest Information
Exhibit Hall Hours
- Sunday, July 7 from 9:00am-5:00pm
- Monday, July 8 from 11:00am-5:00pm
- Tuesday, July 9 from 11:00am-5:00pm
- Wednesday, July 10 from 9:00am-1:00pm
Exhibitor Information
Exhibit Hall Setup
- Saturday, July 6 from 1:00pm-5:00pm
Exhibit Hall Open
- Sunday, July 7 from 9:00am-5:00pm
Exhibit Hall Move-Out
- Wednesday, July 10 from 1:00pm-4:00pm
Schedule of Events
*The following is subject to change.
Sunday, July 7
- 8:30am-5:00pm – BVA VSP Office
- 9:00am-5:00pm – BVA Registration Open
- 9:00am-5:00pm – Bow Wow Lounge (Sponsored by Waymo)
- 9:00am-5:00pm – Exhibit Hall Open
- 7:00pm-8:00pm – 79th National Convention Opening Ceremony
Monday, July 8
- 8:00am-9:00am – BVA Registration Open
- 8:30am-5:00pm – BVA VSP Office
- 9:00am-5:00pm – Bow Wow Lounge (Sponsored by Waymo)
- 9:00am-11:30am – BVA Opening Business Meeting
- 9:00am-11:30am – BVA Auxiliary Opening Business Meeting
- 11:00am-5:00pm – Exhibit Hall Open
- 1:00pm-3:00pm – Bylaws and Resolutions Meeting
- 1:00pm-3:00pm – BVA Auxiliary Committee Meetings
- 3:00pm-3:15pm – Break
- 3:15pm-4:15pm – Fireside Chat
- 4:15pm-5:00pm – Break
- 5:00pm-6:00pm – BVA Gala Happy Hour
- 6:00pm-9:00pm – BVA Gala Reception
Tuesday, July 9
- 7:30am-8:45am – BVA Ambassador Breakfast (Sponsored by OrCam Technologies)
- 8:30am-5:00pm – BVA VSP Office
- 9:00am-5:00pm – Bow Wow Lounge (Sponsored by Waymo)
- 9:00am-10:00am – BVA Auxiliary New Business Meeting
- 9:00am-10:00am – BVA Board of Directors’ Membership Open Forum
- 10:15am-11:30am – Team BVA Outreach Teams Panel
- 11:00am-5:00pm – Exhibit Hall Open
- 12:00pm-2:00pm – Father Carroll Luncheon and Awards Ceremony
- 2:00pm-3:00pm – Break
- 3:00pm-6:00pm – BVA Closing Business Meeting
- 3:00pm-6:00pm – BVA Auxiliary Speaker: Barbara Webb, Dole Caregiver Fellow, Elizabeth Dole Foundation, Caring for Military Families, and Tricky Tray Winners Announced
- 6:00pm-7:00pm – Break
- 7:00pm-TBD – Florida Regional Group 50th Anniversary Celebration (All BVA Members Invited)
Wednesday, July 10
- 8:00am-10:00am – BVA and BVA Auxiliary National Board of Directors Breakfast/Business Meeting (Closed Session)
- 9:00am-1:00pm – Exhibit Hall Open
*Offsite tours are managed by ACB and not BVA. More information can be found on ACB’s website at https://acbconvention.org. For any offsite tour questions, you may also contact Janet Dickelman, ACB Convention Chair, at (651) 428-5059 or via email at janet.dickelman@gmail.com.