ALL ABOARD THE KCB HOLIDAY EXPRESS

KENTUCKY COUNCIL OF THE BLIND

51ST ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND CONVENTION

NOVEMBER 21 – 23, 2024

ENGINEER SPONSOR

Louisville Downtown Lions Club

STATION MASTER SPONSOR

Lula Dotson Legacy

CHEF SPONSORS

Greater Louisville Council of the Blind

Louisville East Lions Club

STEWARD SPONSORS

Guide Dog Users of Kentuckiana

KY Council of Citizens with Low Vision

Support Alliance of the Visually Impaired

Tri-state Library Users

The 51st annual Conference and Convention of the Kentucky Council of the Blind is November 21 – 23, 2024. It is in person at the Best Western Louisville East Inn and Suites, 9802 Bunsen Way in Louisville. The convention will also be virtual on the Zoom platform and live-streamed on ACB Media and the Radiostorm.com.

Our theme is All Aboard the KCB Holiday Express, and you are invited to join our action-packed weekend. This is your opportunity to learn about the latest technology, discover tips for living with low vision, and find helpful resources and services. Meet new friends, renew acquaintances, and enjoy delicious food – all part of our magical journey around the state on the KCB Holiday Express.

If you can’t join us in person, you can use your telephone or computer to participate from home in much of our programming through Zoom. The convention will also be broadcast on the Internet on ACB Media and the Radiostorm.com; listen using your Alexa device, but this option is listen-only.

There is a new event on the convention schedule this year. Because the Best Western does not have a restaurant on premises, the Greater Louisville Council of the Blind is sponsoring the Boxcar Pizza Party on Thursday evening, November 21. To be eligible to attend this complimentary event, you must pre-register and you must check into the hotel by Thursday at 7:00 PM.

The convention registration desk (ticket counter) will open on the first floor of the hotel on Friday, November 22 at 10:00 AM. If you pre-register, your Holiday Express ticket (conference badge) and schedule (program) will be waiting for you. Programs will be emailed to virtual attendees by Thursday, November 21. If you do not pre-register, you may do so at the hotel, but pre-registration discounts DO NOT APPLY and events could be sold out.

The convention officially opens at noon on Friday with the All Aboard Lunch, followed by an afternoon filled with programs and exhibits on services, technology, low vision, resources and much more. The Season’s Greetings dinner at 6:00 PM will feature an outstanding speaker, life member and sponsor recognitions, and the annual parade of KCB chapters; this is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the work of our chapters over the past year and to discover new ways you can participate in the Kentucky Council of the Blind. Wrap up the day with some fun by playing some accessible games, led by Debby Green.

Saturday is a very busy day. Share memories of KCB members we have lost during the past two years at the Morning Glory Memorial service at 8:30 AM. Exhibits open at 10:00, programs begin at 10:30, and the Let It Snow Lunch is at noon. More programs and exhibits fill the afternoon until 3:00. The annual KCB business meeting and elections is from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. The James F. Shaw Holiday Feast is at 6:00 PM; the speaker will be Scott Thornhill, Executive Director of the American Council of the Blind. The evening will also include the presentation of KCB Awards and more.

FROM THE CHEF

Don’t miss a single meal on The KCB Holiday Express.

* Friday All Aboard Lunch – Build-your-own sandwich, potato salad, fruit cup

* Friday Season’s Greetings Dinner – roasted chicken, honey ham, hash brown casserole, green bean casserole, broccoli and cheese, salad, roll, banana pudding, cookies

* Saturday Let It Snow Lunch – chili, hotdogs, cake

* James F. Shaw Holiday Feast – filet mignon, turkey, baked potato, green beans, glazed carrots, salad, roll, cherry cobbler, brownies

REGISTRATION INFO

Although you can listen to much of our programming on the Radio Storm and ACB Media, the only way you can actively participate in the conference is to register as an in-person or virtual attendee. To pre-register, call the KCB office at (502) 895-4598 with your credit or debit card information, register on-line at www.kentucky-acb.org, or complete the enclosed pre-registration form and mail with your check, made payable to the Kentucky Council of the Blind, to KCB at 148 Vernon Avenue, Louisville, KY 40206.

Pre-registration closes on Thursday, November 14. You may register after this date, but pre-registration discounts DO NOT APPLY.

If you register as a virtual attendee, you will receive Zoom links and dial-in telephone numbers so that you not only can listen but also can ask questions, participate in discussions, win door prizes, and vote in elections if you are a KCB member. Virtual registration is $25.00.

Choose from the following in-person registration packages:

• Best Value In-person Package – includes Friday All Aboard Lunch and Season’s Greetings dinner, Saturday Let It Snow Lunch and James F. Shaw Holiday Feast PLUS all programs, exhibits, and meetings – $60 pre-registration; $75 after November 14
• One-day In-person Package (Friday OR Saturday) – includes the day’s events and meals – $35 pre-registration; $50 after November 14
• Conference In-person Registration – includes programs and exhibits but no meals – $20 pre-registration

DOOR PRIZES

Everyone who registers, whether in-person or virtually, is eligible to win a door prize; you don’t have to be present to win!

Help make the weekend fun by donating a door prize. Cash or gift cards are best because they are easy to mail if the winner is a virtual attendee.

Door prizes need to be in new or like-new condition. Call us at (502) 895-4598 before November 14 to let us know you wish to donate a door prize; drop it off at the ticket counter (convention registration desk) when you pick up your convention badge. Your donation will be acknowledged at the convention, in the KCB newsletter and on Sound Prints, KCB’s weekly audio magazine.

CONVENTION Exhibitors

If you sell a product or provide a service, we invite you to become an exhibitor at our convention. Speaking opportunities for exhibitors and major sponsors are limited and may be both in-person and virtual. For rates and more information, visit the KCB website at www.kentucky-acb.org, call us at (502) 895-4598, or email us at kcb@kentucky-acb.org.

BE A CONFERENCE SPONSOR

Show your support for KCB’s good work! Become a conference sponsor. Sponsors at the $100 level or higher will be listed prominently on the first page of the official program and may also choose (subject to availability) free exhibit space, speaking time at the convention, and/or interview time on Sound Prints. All sponsors will be recognized throughout the convention and on our website, in our newsletter, and on Sound Prints, KCB’s weekly podcast.

Become a sponsor by calling the KCB Office at (502) 895-4598 or checking the appropriate item on the pre-registration form. Holiday Express sponsors include Passenger ($15), Redcap ($25), Porter ($50), Steward ($100), Chef ($200), Brakeman ($300), Conductor ($500), Station Master ($1,000), and Engineer ($1,500). Include payment with your conference registration.

CONVENTION STIPENDS

The KCB conference and convention is packed with opportunities and information that only come round once each year. We know that the cost of attending the weekend is much higher for members who live outside the metropolitan Louisville area, and we want to help members from out in the state to be there.

KCB is offering a $100 stipend to every member who travels to convention from outside the metro Louisville area. The Greater Louisville Council of the Blind is offering a $25 stipend for members who live in the metro area. To be eligible for a stipend, you must be a member of KCB, and you must attend both days of the convention. Request the stipend when you pre-register. Stipend checks will be available at the close of the convention on Saturday evening.

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS

Hotel accommodations are available at the Best Western Louisville East Inn and Suites, 9802 Bunsen Way in Louisville. Rates are $94/night plus tax for up to 4 people per room. Rooms have microwaves, small refrigerators, coffee makers and free coffee for your convenience. Free breakfast between 6:30 and 9:30 AM each day in the breakfast area on the first floor near the elevator comes with your hotel stay, and offers cereals, fruit, bagels, toast, yogurt, biscuits and gravy, bacon or sausage, omelets, waffles, and breakfast potatoes. Free use of the fitness center and the indoor heated swimming pool are also included with your night’s stay; NO LIFEGUARD ON DUTY; SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Check-in time is 3:00 PM and check-out is 11:00 AM.

Call the Best Western at (502) 499-0000 by November 14 to make reservations; choose 1 from the menu and be sure to let them know you are with the Kentucky Council of the Blind in order to receive our convention rate.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE NOTICE

KCB will elect officers at its 2024 conference and convention. The President, First Vice President, and Second Vice President may serve for two consecutive terms. The secretary and treasurer are not subject to term limits. Officers are expected to: perform the duties associated with their office; attend monthly conference call meetings of the KCB Board; attend KCB events such as the conference and convention; participate in KCB chapters when possible; and serve on committees as requested by the President.

If you are interested in running for an office or to nominate someone, contact Joey Couch, Nominating Committee Chair, at (606) 216-8033 or joey40206@gmail.com by November 1. Other members of the committee are Debbie Deatherage (Louisville) and Eldon Kaiser (Cave City).

The Nominating Committee will submit a slate of candidates for your consideration. Nominations will also be accepted from the floor. Any individual nominated from the floor must either be present, or must submit, in writing and in advance, a statement of his/her willingness to serve.

If you have questions, or wish to nominate someone, please contact Joey Couch at (606) 216-8033 or joey40206@gmail.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For questions or more information, please call us at (502) 895-4598 or e-mail kcb@kentucky-acb.org.

We look forward to you joining us for a festive ride on the KCB Holiday Express.

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