2026 NFB of Idaho State Convention

Theme: Who Are We, NFB

Dates: April 23–25, 2026

Location: Best Western Vista Inn, Boise, Idaho

Hotel Phone: 208-336-8100

Convention Information

General Information

Registration

  • Thursday: 6:30–7:30 PM
  • Friday: 8:00–8:45 AM
  • Saturday: 8:00–8:45 AM

Hospitality Room (Owyhee Room)

  • Friday: 12:00–2:00 PM, 5:00–7:00 PM
  • Saturday: 12:00–2:00 PM, 6:00–7:00 PM

Thursday, April 23

  • 7:30 PM — Rookie Round-Up
    Presenters: Quincie Mattick, Cindy Grover, Shane Ostermeier
  • 8:00 PM — Bingo Night
    Presenters: Cindy Grover, Tj Squires, Vickie Bateman
  • 9:00 PM — Resolutions Committee Meeting
    Location: Summit Room

Friday, April 24

Room: Sawtooth Bitterroot

  • 9:00 AM — America’s Music Through the Centuries
  • 9:15 AM — Invocation and Announcements
  • 9:20 AM — Who Are We, NFB
    Presenters: Ramona Walhof, Vickie Bateman, Shane Ostermeier
  • 9:40 AM — Idaho’s Able Project
    Presenter: Jamie Davis
  • 10:05 AM — Serving Blind Idahoans Through ICBVI Programs
    Presenter: Beth Cunningham
  • 10:25 AM — Fit Break
    Presenter: Marcie Chapman
  • 10:30 AM — IESDB Update
    Presenter: Jeanne Marie Kopeckey
  • 11:00 AM — Idaho Assistive Technology Project
    Presenters: Jeff Mason and Krista Kramer
  • 11:25 AM — Changes to Talking Book Services in Idaho
    Presenter: LeeAnn Gelskey
  • 11:50 AM — Reports and Resolutions
  • 12:00 PM — Lunch
    On your own. Hospitality room open.
  • 12:30 PM — Vendor and Member Exhibits
  • 2:30 PM — What Makes BELL and Beyond So Much Fun?
    Presenter: Dominic Budell
  • 2:45 PM — Grief and Loss
    Presenter: Dallas Payton
  • 3:45 PM — Tribute to Sandy Streeter
  • 4:15 PM — Membership and Leadership
    Presenter: Tom Page and attendees
  • 5:00 PM — Break
  • 6:00 PM — State Affiliate Board Meeting and Dinner
  • 7:30 PM — Open Mic
  • 9:30 PM — Open Jam Session

Saturday, April 25

Room: Sawtooth Bitterroot

  • 9:00 AM — Invocation and Announcements
  • 9:10 AM — National Report
    Presenter: Tom Page
  • 9:50 AM — Explanation of Fundraiser Baskets
  • 10:00 AM — State Report
    Presenter: Dana Ard
  • 10:25 AM — Fit Break
    Presenter: Marcie Chapman
  • 10:30 AM — Planning Next Year’s Goals
  • 11:00 AM — Annual Business Meeting
  • 12:00 PM — Lunch
    On your own. Hospitality room open.
  • 12:00 PM — Student and Young Adult Luncheon
    Prior registration required.
  • 2:00 PM — Teacher of Tomorrow
    Presenter: Kriszta Gruebele
  • 2:20 PM — Sending Our Message to the World
    Presenter: TJ Squires
  • 2:55 PM — Auction Item
  • 3:00 PM — Advocacy in Action
    Presenters: Shane Ostermeier, Nicole Hill, Joe Grover, Cindy Grover
  • 3:25 PM — Fit Break
  • 3:30 PM — Member Engagement and Q&A
    Presenter: Tom Page
  • 4:00 PM — Author Presentation
    Presenter: Kevin Pirnie
  • 4:20 PM — Auction Item
  • 4:30 PM — Scholarship Winners
  • 5:00 PM — Break
  • 6:30 PM — Banquet
    Invocation: Bose Pirnie
    MC: Susan Bradley
    Address: Tom Page
    Scholarships: Joe Grover
    PAC: Ramona Walhof

Convention Committees

  • Planning Committee: Cindy Grover, Tj Squires, Nicole Hill, Quincie Mattick, Shane Ostermeier
  • Scholarship Committee: Joe Grover (Chair), Shane Ostermeier, Mike Gibson, Leslie Squires, Vickie Bateman, Quincie Mattick
  • Nominating Committee: Leslie Squires (Chair), Fawn Owens, Lynn Kneip
  • Registration Committee: Don Winiecki, Susan Bradley, Angela Bradley
  • Door Prizes: Krystal White (Chair), Andy Johnson, Olivia Johnson
  • Resolutions Committee: Tj Squires (Chair), Nicole Hill, Krystal White, Vickie Bateman