BLINDED VETERANS ASSOCIATION AUXILIARY
(BVAA) National Web Site
www.bvaaux.org
67th BVA National Convention, Galveston, Texas
ATTENTION: The dates of the convention are August 20-23, 2012
The BVA Convention dates: August 20th – 23rd 2012 Please note that this is a change from previously announced dates.
The convention starts Monday evening and ends late Thursday night.
Exhibit Hall: August 21st & 22nd
Convention Hotel: Hilton Galveston Island, 5400 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX 77551
Call to make your reservations today 1-800-HILTONS and simply let them know you are eligible for the BVA block. Early Registration ends June 20th. Hotel Room block cutoff date is July 20th
Island Updates: 67th Annual Convention, Galveston Texas!
Start planning now to attend the 67th Annual Blinded Veterans Association’s National Convention, which will be held in Galveston Texas, Monday, August 20th through Thursday, August 23rd 2012.
The Department of Veterans Affairs will not be hosting a concurrent VIST/BROS training session this year due to federal government cutbacks. Because of this change, we have had to shift our location to the Hilton Galveston Island Resort Hotel, which is adjacent to the Galveston Island Convention Center, the site of the major convention events. We encourage early registration for everyone especially those of you who combine your family vacation with our conventions. The BVA room block rate of $99 per night is now available to you from the 18th through the 27th. The hotel will honor the group rate over the conference dates pending availability, so make your reservation early to secure your room. This will allow for a more leisurely stay before, during and after the Convention. The regional group’s representatives will be on site to greet you, provide orientation of the hotel, as well as assist you with the numerous activities available on the island. Consider arriving a day early to take advantage of a fishing trip.
The convention officially starts on the 20th, Monday evening, with the Presidents Reception. The opening business meeting will begin first thing Tuesday Morning. We will conduct the Bylaws & Resolutions meetings Tuesday afternoon. The regional group is planning a very unique activity Tuesday night. Wednesday morning will kick off with the BVA forum with a focus on leadership training followed by the Father Carroll Memorial Luncheon and afternoon Caucus Meetings. Thursday morning will bring the business meetings to a close with voting on the proposed bylaws, resolutions and the election of National Officers. There will be the Awards Banquet Thursday evening. Although the convention officially ends Thursday, the fun does not have to. You may choose to take the opportunity to squeeze in an early morning fishing trip or visit any number of island activities.
Hotel: 67th Annual Convention, Hilton Galveston Island Resort Hotel Convention
Hilton Galveston Island
5400 Seawall Blvd
Galveston, TX 77551
The Convention room rate is $99.00 + 15% (9% city, 6% state), Single/Double taxes
Upon your arrival at the AAA Four Diamond Hilton Galveston Island Resort Hotel, which is directly across from the beach, you will be greeted by a representative of the BVA Convention staff. Facing the hotel, the Galveston Island Convention Center is directly to your left. In front of the hotel are two cabana areas on the left and right, each seating up to 25 people. There are no steps in front of, or entering into, the hotel, which has automatic sliding glass doors. As you enter through these doors you will be standing in the hotel lobby. On your immediate right is the hotel’s registration desk area with three check-in stations. On your immediate left is a business kiosk area with three stations and an A T M machine.
The hotel lobby continues on past the registration desk with the Palm Court Restaurant on your left and the hotel’s Lobby Bar on your right. Both areas have an open entrance without doors and there are social seating areas along the walls throughout the lobby. Just past the Lobby Bar is an exit door on your right going out to the tropical swimming pool and lounge area that has a Jacuzzi and a swim up bar and grill. Passing this door, on your right are elevators which go up to rooms that have private walk out balconies. Just past these elevators begins a long corridor that stretches from the lobby area to the rear of the hotel. Down this corridor, the first glass door on your left is the hotel gift shop. Past the gift shop on your left is the hotel’s fitness center. Further down this corridor there are elevators on your right which take you up to the tower rooms. At the end of the corridor is the rear entrance of the hotel where an automatic glass door exits out to the dog relief area and parking lot.
The goal of the Convention Committee is to maximize the pleasure of your stay and increase the productivity of the convention. The hotel hosts a long list of comfort and convenience amenities for your stay. All elevators have bells, and all rooms above the first floor have an ocean view with coffee makers, bathrobes, free internet connections and a host of others. The BVA has arranged two phone lines for your convenience. One of the lines is updated daily with each days detailed agenda. The second line will be for any concerns or issues that may arise during your stay and will be monitored throughout each day.
The Hilton Galveston Island Resort Hotel is a 240 room facility. All rooms have been blocked specifically for BVA convention attendees from the 20th through the 24th. This allows the convention staff to convert the hotel to a totally blind friendly environment. Overflow arrangements have been made with other hotels and early registration is advisable. In making reservations, be sure to announce that you are part of the BVA Room Block. For more information you can call the hotel at 1-409-744-5000 or see their website at www.hilton.com/Galveston-TX
Travel Rates:
The following travel discount rates have been obtained. We urge everyone to try to use Houston Hobby Airport. It is much smaller than Bush Intercontinental and a lot easier to navigate. The convention committee along with the USO will have representatives at both airports to assist you. Additionally, once you make your travel arrangements please contact Margarine Beaman oleo50@hotmail.com or call 512-921-1625 to coordinate for a BVA volunteer to meet you at your gate.
Ground Travel Information:
Galveston Limousine Service Phone: 1-800-640-4826 or 409-744-5466.
Reservations and prepayment is required in advance.
If you require a wheelchair accessible van, you must notify the clerk with Galveston Limousine Service when making your reservations.
When calling in for ground transport reservations, be sure to advise the clerk that you are with the BVA conference/convention to assure you are given the discounted rate.
Deadline for reservations for the discounted rate: July 20th 2012.
Shuttle Schedule Rates and Times:
Hobby Airport to Galveston Hilton: $60.00 per person round trip
Schedule: 11:30am---1:30pm---5:00pm
Bush IAH airport to Galveston Hilton: $70.00 per person round trip
Schedule: 10:30am---12:30pm---4:00pm
Galveston to Hobby and Bush IAH:
Schedule: 8:00am----10:00am------1:30pm
If there is a group (a minimum of 5 passengers) that would be arriving before or after these scheduled pickup times, another scheduled time can be provided. Same is true on the return from Galveston.
Peak travel departure times from Galveston schedules will be accommodated by buses.
Air Fair
Discounted Air Fare Information:
When boarding your flights coming to Houston, notify the boarding agent to request that a motorized car be waiting for you to mobilize you through the airport. These are wonderful as they will carry you wherever you request them to at no charge.
United Airlines - Reservation Information:
1. Call your professional travel agency or United Meetings at 800-468-7022 and provide the Z Code ZME4 and Agreement Code 814509. There will be a $25 service fee collected, per ticket, for all tickets issued through United Meetings Reservations. This fee is subject to change without notice. The service fee is nonrefundable and applies to all itineraries, one-way or round-trip. To avoid a service fee and receive an additional 3% discount*, book your reservations online at www.continental.com. Enter both your Z-code and Agreement code (without a space) in the Offer Code Box. *Additional 3% discount applies to published fares only.
2. Checked baggage fees apply: $25.00 for the first checked bag and $35.00 for the second checked bag when traveling within the US and Canada.
American Airlines - Reservation Information:
1. Call your professional travel agency or American Meetings at 800-221-2255 and provide the authorization code - 3482BH. There will be a $25 service fee collected, per ticket, for all tickets issued through American Airlines Reservations. This fee is subject to change without notice. The service fee is nonrefundable and applies to all itineraries, one-way or round-trip. To avoid a service fee, book your reservations online at www.aa.com. Enter your authorization code in the promotion code box. This discount applies to published fares only.
2. Checked baggage fees apply: $25.00 for the first checked bag and $35.00 for the second checked bag when traveling within the US and Canada.
Delta Airlines - Reservation Information:
1. Call your professional travel agency or Delta Meetings at 800-328-1111 and provide the Meeting Event Code - NM9D8. There will be a $25 service fee collected, per ticket, for all tickets issued through Delta Airlines Reservations. This fee is subject to change without notice. The service fee is nonrefundable and applies to all itineraries, one-way or round-trip. To avoid a service fee , book your reservations online at www.delta.com. Enter your code in the Meeting Event Code box. The discount will be applied to all applicable fares.
2. Checked baggage fees apply: $25.00 for the first checked bag and $35.00 for the second checked bag when traveling within the US and Canada.
Southwest Airlines - Reservation Information:
1. Southwest gives discounted rates for groups of 10 or more from any one destination. If you have a group of 10 or more, contact Brenda McDaniel at the number below for Personal Assistance.
For Personal Assistance in making your reservations call (915) 204-0101.
Brenda K. McDaniel brenda_mcdaniel@sbcglobal.net
Independent Travel Consultant
4301 Park Hill Drive
El Paso, TX 79902-1357
TSA Helpline for Travelers with Disabilities
Please see the below links and press release regarding a new service from the TSA for travel.
http://www.tsa.gov/press/releases/2011/1222.shtm
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/disabilityandmedicalneeds/tsa_cares.shtm
Schedule (Draft of Major Events)
Monday, August 20th
TBD: Fishing Trip ( Advanced registration required more information will be posted shortly)
9:30 am-6:00 pm Registration & Information
11:30 am-5:00 pm Auxiliary Silent Auction
3:15 pm-3:45 pm Rules Committee Meeting
4:00 pm-4:30 pm Credentials Meeting
7:00 pm-10:00 pm BVA President’s Welcome Reception
Tuesday, August 21 th
8:00 am -11:00 am Opening Business Meeting
8:30 am - 9:30 am Welcome
8:30 am - 5:00 pm Auxiliary Silent Auction
9:45 am- 11:30 am Opening Business Meeting
10:30 am-6:30 pm Exhibit Hall
11:30 am-1:30 pm Lunch Break
1:30 pm-2:00 pm Presentation 1
2:00 pm-3:00 pm Presentation 2
3:00 pm-5:00 pm Bylaws & Resolutions Meeting
Time TBD: Live Charity Auction
Wednesday, August 22nd
8:00 am-noon BVA Forum: Research Presentations and leadership training
Noon-3:00 pm Father Carroll Lunch
3:00 pm-5:00 pm District Caucus Meetings
Evening To Be Determined
Thursday, August 23rd
8:00 am-noon Closing Business Meeting, Bylaws and Resolutions, Elections, Updates on Future Conventions
1:00 pm-1:45 pm Legislative Updates
2:00 pm-4:00 pm Leadership training
6:00 pm-10:00 pm Awards Banquet
Friday, August 24th
8:00 am-noon Sight seeing Galveston, Texas. There will be shuttles from the hotel to the Strand District and other points of interest on the island.
Saturday, August, 25th
Optional Activity: USS Stewart and USS Cavalla
During the 67th National BVA Convention, the Houston Regional Group will be offering our members and their families group rates to a unique and unforgettable opportunity. Galveston’s premier fishing spot and the city’s largest recreation areas, Seawolf Park is located on Pelican Island, just north of Galveston Island. The Houston Group will offer the Park’s “Sleepover Program from August 25th to August 26th. Both the USS Stewart and the USS Cavalla are available for this program where participants can “…sleep in the same bunks and walk the same decks that the brave crews did when they were taken into harm’s way during World War II”.
The USS Stewart is a World War II era Edsall Class Destroyer Escort 238 that was built in Houston, Texas in 1942, and commissioned May 31, 1943. She commenced North Atlantic convoy operations in 1944, making 30 crossings with occasional enemy submarine and aircraft encounters. The USS Stewart was moved to the Pacific theater in 1945, to conduct training exercises out of Pearl Harbor until the end of the war. Installed at Seawolf Park in 1974 she is one of only two surviving destroyer escorts in the United States, she now stands as a memorial to the many men who served on Destroyer Escorts during World War II.
The USS Cavalla is a Gato class submarine, built in the summer of 1943 and serving in the Pacific Theatre during World War II she was capable of carrying 24 torpedoes and a crew of 80 men. On June 19, 1944, on her maiden patrol, she sank the 30,000 ton aircraft carrier Shokaku. This earned her the Presidential Unit Citation. Most of her duty was spent assigned to the Atlantic Fleet, escorting convoys to Europe and the Caribbean. After the war, she underwent conversion in 1952 to a new class of American sub, the SSK (hunter/killer), to meet the Soviet threat. The USS Cavalla is the only remaining ship from the World War II era that is credited with the sinking of an aircraft carrier.
This program has a minimum requirement of 20 participants and a cost of $20 per person, plus transportation. The sleepover which includes a pizza dinner is an educational experience for veterans and their families. For registration, email Roy Young at royyoung149@windstream.net . Deadline to register for this activity is June 30th 2012. See you on the Island! Roy Young
Remember these dates
JUNE 20th, 2012: Is the Early Registration deadline. Attendees that Register at the Hilton and submit their BVA convention registration by June 15th will be entered to win complimentary 4-night stay during the convention. Announcement of the winner will be made during the Awards Banquet August 23rd.
JULY 20th, 2012: Is the deadline for mailing in registration form and payment to BVA National Headquarters. After July 20th, the Late Registration fee of $20.00 per person will automatically be added to a registration resulting in a $120 per person charge.
July 20th is the deadline for Members and Regional Groups to submit Convention Program Announcement/Ad page. Contact Ms. Hitchcock (800) 669 7079 if you would like more information on placing an announcement or Ad in the Convention Program.
July 20th is also the last day anyone is eligible for the special room rate based on availability.
July 31st, 2012: Is the deadline for receipt of the completed OFFICIAL PROXY for non attending members? (Proxy Form must be requested from Administrative Director Brigitte Jones).
It is also the deadline for receipt of the completed Regional Group Delegate Credential Forms
The official National Headquarters Proxy Form and Credential Form shall be the only forms recognized at the National Convention.
End of Document