Four years of anticipation, two years of preparation, and a week of activities designed for stellar legs, healthy appetites, a zest for learning the latest in technology, and an interest in helping to guide the future of the Blinded Veterans Association all came to an end with the ceremonial lowering of the gavel at last night’s Awards Banquet, sponsored by Vanda Pharmaceuticals. 

Attendees also made their way to the much-enjoyed hospitality suite sponsored by the Heartland Regional Group, host regional group for the convention, for a final good-bye to old and new friends.

Culminating the flurry of activity all week, in and around the Marriott St. Louis Grand, was yesterday’s election of Paul Mimms, Heartland Regional Group, as the new National President. Convention delegates and other attendees also elected Wade Davis, Houston Regional Group, as the National Vice President, and Tracy Ferro, Louisiana/Mississippi Regional Group, as National Secretary. Joe Bogart of the Gem State Regional Group is the newly elected National Treasurer. The convention body also defeated two of the three originally proposed bylaw amendments. The third proposed amendment, pertaining to the BVA Auxiliary, was withdrawn earlier in the week.

Also highlighting the convention week was the traditional Opening Session, this year featuring two keynote speakers: Dewaine Beard, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Information Technology Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary and Deputy Chief Information Officer; and Michael James Frueh, Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Benefits.

Other events and activities, many supported by generous sponsors, include a Service Dog Walk on Monday made possible by Waymo and PetSmart, an exhibitor and member breakfast sponsored by Bosma, two Lunch and Learn events sponsored by WayAround and Oracle Health, and the creatively designed and first-ever Bow Wow Lounge, also sponsored by Waymo and PetSmart. Dozens of attendees enjoyed offsite activities that consisted of a dinner and entertainment cruise on the Mississippi River, a visit to the Missouri Botanical Garden, an Anhueser-Busch Brewery Tour, and a night of midwestern barbecue and bowling at the nearby Flamingo Bowl.

BVA Members unable to attend the convention were still able to connect to several activities via Facebook Live. Stay tuned for additional details in next week’s BVA Happenings and the upcoming issue of The Bulletin.