State Convention
Convention Archives Rittgers Fund/Convention Assistance
57th Annual Convention National Federation of the Blind of Missouri
Holiday Inn Select Hotel at the Mall
2200 I70 Drive Southwest; Columbia, MO 65203 573-445-8531
March 21-24, 2019
The Columbia Chapter would like to welcome everyone to Columbia, home of the Tigers, Cougars, and Stars. Not only are we home to three major colleges one of which is a flagship university where homecoming was begun in 1911 when the football coach at the time Chester Brewer invited alumni to come home for the KU VS MU football game, but we also have satellite campuses for several smaller colleges. There is also a thriving arts district and lots of walking trails where you can enjoy the beauty Columbia has to offer.
We are proud of George P. Smith, professor emeritus at the University of Missouri, the 2018 winner of the Nobel Prize for Chemistry. Two world famous athletes are proud to call Columbia home. J’den Cox bronze medal winner in the 2016 summer Olympics and Carl Edwards former NASCAR driver. The Columbia Chapter was started in February of 1974. We are forty-five years old and have been active in a number of events over the years, with both events we’ve held and events we’ve participated in. Some events we have participated in include Earth Day, the Memorial Day Parade, and the Twilight Festival. Events we have held include casino nights, nights with Mario Manzini, car washes, and trivia nights.
We welcome everyone to Columbia and hope you enjoy what we have to offer and invite everyone to share in the celebration from March 21-24, 2019 at the Holiday Inn Select Hotel. Room rates are $93.00 a night plus 12.96% tax for up to four in a room. To make reservations call 573-445-8531.
Conveniently located off Interstate 70 at exit 124 the hotel features the ESPN Sports Zone restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner. For fine dining there is Churchill’s Steak and Seafood, open for dinner and reservations are recommended. The Atrium Lounge is open nightly until 10:00 in the heart of the hotel. The hotel has a hot tub, indoor pool, beauty salon, and a 3,000 square foot fitness center. Also included is free Wi-Fi internet, a business center, and free parking.
Convention registrations post marked on or before March 12, 2019 will be $15.00. After March 12 the cost to register will be $20.00. Registration will be open from 8:15 to 8:45 a.m. Friday and 5:00 to 7:00 Friday evening and 8:00 to 8:30 Saturday morning. Hospitality will be open on Friday evening from 5:30 to 11:00. Come eat, drink, and enjoy the fellowship!
We have several planned meals throughout the weekend at very good prices. The highlight will be our Saturday banquet for $35.00. We will also have a planned lunch for Friday and Saturday for $16.00 each and our annual Prayer Breakfast Sunday morning at a cost of $13.00. The planned meals are open to everyone. Attendees are encouraged to take advantage of these meals as there are not many other restaurant facilities nearby. After March 12 the cost for registration increases to $20, lunches to $20, banquet to $40 and Prayer Breakfast to $16.
We again will be offering the Kid’s Zone for those children in need of supervised care. There is no cost for children registered for the convention. Children’s registration is $10.00 for those 14 and under. This year we are offering children’s pricing for our meals so the lunches will be $10.00 and banquet will be $20.00 if paid by March 12. Important: we must receive requests for child care by March 1. Care will be provided on Saturday during the morning and afternoon sessions, the evening banquet until 9:00 p.m. and the Sunday morning session which will adjourn at 12:00 p.m. Meals are not provided in child care so parents need to make arrangements to feed their children. Children’s registration and meals purchased after March 12 will incur additional charges so registration will then be $15.00, lunches 13.00, and banquet $25.00.
Exhibit space is free to the chapters and divisions of the NFB for federation fund raising and information distribution and for a cost of $35.00 to outside exhibitors. Exhibit tables must be reserved before March 12, 2019. To donate door prizes, please contact Door Prize Chair Carol Coulter Phone: 573-474-3226.
Online Registration will be available very soon.