Join Blind Minnesotans for the 2026 Annual NFBMN Convention!

Register for the Convention Here!

Come celebrate Halloween with us!

We of the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota are pleased to announce plans for our 2026 Annual State Convention. Join blind Minnesotans from across the state for a weekend of learning, advocacy, friendship, fun, and plenty of opportunities to get involved.

We also encourage members to take this opportunity to renew their annual membership in the NFB of Minnesota in plenty of time for the membership year beginning January 1, 2027.

When and Where

The convention will be held:

  • Friday, October 30 through Sunday, November 1, 2026
  • DoubleTree by Hilton Saint Paul East, 2201 Burns Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55119

Most convention activities begin at 2:30 p.m. Friday, with additional activities beginning earlier in the day.

We are pleased to welcome Anil Lewis as our national representative. Anil recently began a new role as CEO of LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired in San Francisco, but he remains an active member and longtime leader of the National Federation of the Blind. Over the years, he has served as a local chapter president, president of the National Federation of the Blind of Georgia, a member of the NFB Board of Directors, and a member of the national staff in several leadership roles. We look forward to welcoming him to Minnesota and hearing his perspective as a Federation leader with decades of experience in our movement.

Hotel Arrangements

Our convention room rate is $99 per night, plus tax.

You can reserve your room by:

The online reservation page defaults to a Friday-through-Sunday stay, but rooms are also available beginning Thursday night if you’d like to arrive early.

Please reserve your room by October 22.

Registration and Meals

You can register online for the 2026 NFBMN Convention, or, if you prefer, register by postal mail using the form and return envelope that will be in your mailbox.

Please send in your registration as soon as possible, but no later than October 14.

  • Advance convention registration: $30, including Sunday breakfast
  • On-site convention registration: $45, including Sunday breakfast
  • Friday dinner: $27
  • Saturday Senior Division breakfast: $22
  • Saturday lunch: $25
  • Saturday banquet: $53
  • Sunday lunch: $25

The registration form will include descriptions of the meal choices and ask for your preferences.

Those intending to register on-site should still let us know in advance by emailing Judy Sanders or calling her at (612) 872-9363 to reserve meals so that we can give the hotel an accurate count.

Start the Weekend with Blind Students

The Minnesota Association of Blind Students will kick things off Friday with its annual student seminar. Students currently in high school or college should register for the student seminar here.

Complimentary pizza for students begins at 12:30 p.m., and the seminar begins at 1:00 p.m.

Blind high school, college, and other postsecondary students are invited to join an interactive afternoon of conversation, shared experiences, new ideas, and opportunities to connect. Parents, educators, professionals, and blind students from surrounding states are also welcome.

The seminar will explore topics including artificial intelligence, self-advocacy, belonging, and well-being, with plenty of opportunities for students to contribute their own experiences and ideas.

The MNABS annual business meeting will follow the seminar and will include elections and discussion about the division’s work in the coming year.

Students interested in learning more, contributing ideas, or getting involved can email the Minnesota Association of Blind Students.

What to Expect

Our state convention brings together blind people, families, professionals, partners, and friends for a weekend of learning, discussion, advocacy, and fun.

This year’s activities will include:

  • Exhibitors featuring products and services of interest to blind people
  • Discussions about blindness philosophy and what makes our organization unique
  • Technology demonstrations and conversations, including artificial intelligence
  • An accessible game demonstration
  • Opportunities to practice nonvisual skills in a relaxed setting
  • An escape room
  • A sexual health fair designed to make accurate and accessible information available to blind attendees
  • Updates and conversations about programs and services affecting blind Minnesotans
  • Our annual auction
  • Plenty of opportunities to meet other blind people, exchange ideas, and get involved

And since our convention falls on Halloween weekend, we’ll celebrate with a costume contest and games Saturday night.

We’re also interested in hearing from members about topics you’d like to see addressed at convention. If you have an idea for a discussion, activity, or presentation, please email the NFB of Minnesota.

General Sessions

Our general sessions are scheduled for:

  • Friday, October 30, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, October 31, 9:00 a.m. to noon
  • Saturday, October 31, 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, November 1, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Additional meetings, seminars, meals, activities, and informal opportunities to connect will take place throughout the weekend. A complete agenda will be available as convention approaches.

Exhibits

The exhibit area will be open:

  • Friday, October 30, from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, October 31, from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Transportation

The DoubleTree offers a complimentary shuttle between the hotel and Union Depot in Saint Paul, providing a convenient connection for those traveling on the METRO Green Line.

Contact the hotel at (651) 731-2220 for information about arranging the shuttle.

Dues

So that you’ll be able to vote on our policies and in our elections next year, you’ll want to pay your annual $5 membership dues.

You can pay your dues on the convention registration form, or renew your NFB of Minnesota membership online if you’re unable to attend the convention.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of shaping our movement.

Elections

This year’s convention will elect our vice president, treasurer, and three members of the NFB of Minnesota Board of Directors.

Members whose dues are current will have the opportunity to participate in our elections and help shape the leadership of our affiliate.

Resolutions

To clarify and give voice to our positions on important issues, the convention considers formal policy statements each year.

Draft resolutions should be emailed to Resolutions Committee Chair Jennifer Dunnam no later than October 22. All convention attendees are welcome at the meeting of the resolutions committee.

You can also read resolutions adopted by the NFB of Minnesota.

Requests for Accommodations Based on Disability

Our convention is accessible especially to blind people. We offer materials in Braille, large print, and electronically. Wayfinding is made accessible through human “talking signs.” We ask all attendees to respect our fragrance-free environment. Assistive listening devices are available for use in the general session and, upon request, breakout spaces.

If you need other accommodations to participate fully in the convention, please let us know as soon as possible through the registration form.

Because we’ll need to plan appropriately for additional resources, please submit requests for specific accommodations no later than October 10.

Auction

Donated themed baskets, crafts, baked goods securely sealed in disposable containers, services, and other items will be auctioned throughout the convention.

Please consider donating something to the event. If you’re planning to contribute an auction item, email a description of your item to Auction Coordinator Mike Colbrunn.

Door Prizes

We also welcome door prizes to give away throughout the convention.

If you’d like to contribute a door prize, email Door Prize Coordinator Kallie Decker.

Cash Prizes for Essays

The Metro Chapter invites all Minnesota Federationists to participate in its essay contest. The two-to-three-page essay should focus on experiences as a blind person and highlight a positive message or outcome.

The winning essay will be published in the Minnesota Bulletin, and the writer will receive $75. Another $50 will be awarded in a random drawing from the remaining essays, which will also be considered for publication.

All entries must be received by October 15, 2026, via email to Kayde Rieken.

See You in Saint Paul!

Our convention each year is an opportunity for the blind of our state to come together for a common cause, raise expectations for ourselves and others, and strengthen our bonds of friendship. We’ll share resources, exchange ideas, and formulate plans and policies for the coming year.

Whether this will be your first Federation convention or one of many, we hope you’ll join us for a Halloween weekend filled with ideas, conversation, laughter, and the energy that comes from blind people working together.

Please join us October 30 through November 1 for the 2026 Annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota.

Corbb O’Connor, President
National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota
president@nfbmn.org | (612) 872-9363