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MS Word 2025 Convention Program
Text file 2025 Convention Program
Southbank Riverwalk Hotel
1515 Prudential Drive
Jacksonville, FL 322207
Phone: 904-396-5100
May 15 – May 18, 2025
Table of Contents
Welcome
Convention Sponsors 2025
FCB Officers 2024 – 2026
If a veterinarian is needed
Convention Registration Schedule
Thursday, May 15, 2025
Friday, May 16, 2025
Saturday, May 17, 2025
Sunday, May 18, 2025
2025 FCB Exhibitors
Southbank Hotel Description
Welcome
to the 72nd Annual Convention of the
FLORIDA COUNCIL OF THE BLIND (FCB)
Still keeping it live in 2025
Down by the river back in Jacksonville
Down in Duval!
On the road again, I can't wait to get on the road again. Up the road to see all my family and friends. For a weekend of conventioning, I can't wait to get on the road again.
It's amazing to believe that once again, it's that time, culminating another great year of living the good life with vision loss. Embracing the dreams, hopes and intentional actions of every member as we continue to forge forward while overcoming all our challenges. Flying high in 2025, gathering for at least 72 reasons why we're resilient and continue to learn, living and loving each other. Pursuing fulfillment and persevering through every issue, initiatives and moments of independence.
Join your Florida community for an exciting weekend that kicks off with a fun night of fellowship with a live DJ, Karaoke and Carnival games.
Come ready to be educated on the latest Legislative Initiatives, DBS's goals & mission, What's new with Spectrum and updates from our FCB Executive Committee. Explore informative sessions on Online Security, Adaptive recreational games, and Transformative Artificial Intelligence. Be empowered through various panel subjects such as Safe Cooking Techniques, Guide Dogs, Managing Daily Health Situations, Braille Displays, Employment, Town Hall and more. Gaining knowledge and becoming even more motivated to get involved as Saturday night FCB’s banquet ends with a closing message from motivating speaker, Jeff Bishop.
Another fantastic convention, full of shared experiences and encounters, is awaiting that will leave us excited about this year's call to action by collectively working together in the initiatives, advocacy efforts and the taking up of a renewed perspective that we are all invested in the impact of change that is needed and necessary for all of those who are blind or low vision and a member of the Florida Council of the Blind.
Convention Sponsors 2025
With extreme gratitude and pleasure, we recognize and sincerely thank our 2025 Convention Sponsors
Platinum Light $1,500
Spectrum/Charter
GOLD $1,000
Lighthouse Central Florida
E S & S Vote
Silver $500
Democracy Live
Disability Rights Florida
Doug Hall
Friends of Library Access, Inc.
Halifax Chapter
Vanda Pharmaceutical
Vispero
Bronze $250
Greater Orlando Council of the Blind
The House of Lynne
OrCam
Pinellas Chapter
Bronze Light $150
Tallahassee Chapter
Red $100
Jacksonville Council of the Blind
Manatee County council of the Blind
Sally Benjamin
FCB Membership Secretary
membership@fcb.or
850-980-0205
ACB Volunteer Coordinator
866-846-7380
FCB Officers 2024 – 2026
Mikey Wiseman, President
Miami, Florida
Cassandra Jessie, First Vice-President
Tallahassee, Florida
Shelley Sawyer, Second Vice-President
Tallahassee, Florida
Mark Lear, Treasurer
Port Orange, Florida
Elizabeth Bowden, Recording Secretary
Tallahassee, Florida
Sally Benjamin, Membership Secretary
Tallahassee, Florida
Sheila Young, Immediate Past President
Orlando, Florida
If a veterinarian is needed
for your service dogs, contact:
San Marco Animal Hospital
1546 San Marco Blvd
Jacksonville, FL 32207
(904) 399-5557
First Coast Vets Affordable Animal Hospital
9430 Arlington Expressway
Jacksonville, FL 32225
(904) 663-0500
Convention Registration Schedule
Thursday, May 15, 2025
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Friday, May 16, 2025
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Saturday, May 17, 2025
8:00 am - 11:00 am
Room: Propeller
The FCB hospitality room will be open both Friday and Saturday evenings after the banquets.
Room: Commerce Dockside
Our FCB Convention will be exciting and educational, full of varied and informative programs and of course, time for visiting and fun! There's something for everyone here, don't miss it!
This will be our fifth hybrid convention. This means that you can attend in person at the hotel or participate on Zoom. ACB Media will be streaming some of our convention workshops and will use another one of their Zoom rooms to present other audio only workshops. The ACB Media workshops will have a video feed so that presenters in the hotel or on Zoom will be seen by all participants. The Zoom information will be sent out a few days before the convention starts.
We would like to express our appreciation and gratitude to ACB Media for providing us with their Zoom rooms and streaming our convention. We know that a lot of people were involved to make this happen, but we would like to give special thanks to Rick Morin, ACB Media and IT Manager, for your many hours of dedication to our FCB Convention. We would also like to thank our Zoom hosts for hosting and Ryan Cordell and John Richards for assisting us with streaming at the hotel.
***
Thursday, May 15, 2025
Thursday Night Event 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Come one, Come all to the Convention Carnival!
It's a Convention Carnival planned with you in mind. So, step right up and join us for a festive night filled with lots of fun for all to enjoy. As we welcome you to the "Sunshine State" and to the greatest party on earth we're excited to greet each of you.
Starting our 72nd Annual FCB Convention off on Thursday night with our FCB Got Talent Karaoke and a Carnival for a donation of $20, complete with games like our Boozie Ring Toss, Basket Toss, Kisses Game of Chance and Bowling, to name a few, lots of music and some tasty treats, too. One set to kick off a weekend packed with more activities throughout our convention.
Your $20 donation will include a sandwich, potato salad and dessert. There will be a cash bar, cash only; no credit cards will be accepted.
We will also host additional activities that include two Happy Hour events after each night's banquet that will feature the Battle of the Sexes Game Challenge, classic parlor games and Entertainment Trivia for your enjoyment.
Room: Commerce Dockside
Friday, May 16, 2025
REGISTRATION
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM AND 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Room: Propeller
EXHIBIT HALL
As always, one of the highlights of convention is our Exhibit Hall that will be open from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Come browse, purchase goods or learn about new technology to assist you in living a more productive and independent life.
Room: Starboard
8:30 – 9:30 AM
Braille Revival League of Florida (BRLF)
Program for Braille Revival League of Florida
Presenters: Paul Edwards and Elizabeth Bowden
For those of you who have always wanted to explore using a braille display, the program from Braille Revival League of Florida is made for you. After our business meeting when new officers will be elected, we’ll be delving into using the two braille displays distributed for free by the National Library Service. If you have considered getting a display, or have one but shiver when thinking about unboxing, now is your chance! Experience instant book download, and get the braille translation options you want with just a few settings. Find out how easy it is to get yours.
All attendees of the program will get to examine the Zoomax eReader personally. We’ll explain the basics and explore the Humanware version of the reader as well. Come explore with us, it’s sure to be entertaining and informative.
Room: Anchor ACB Zoom Audio
9:30-10:30 AM
Guide Dog Users of Florida (GDUF)
Following a brief business meeting, where elections will be addressed, in-person and virtual attendees will hear from a panel of experienced guide dog handlers about guide dog transitioning. Panelists include: experienced dog guide users Doug Hall, Debbie Grubb, and Chelsea White from The Seeing Eye.
Are you seriously thinking of obtaining your first guide dog or have you lost your previous loyal guide companion and are thinking of whether or not to get a new one? The first question is why or why not get a guide dog? What are the emotional, physical and mobility factors that must be considered? How about grieving the loss or retirement of previous or current guides? How would losing or retiring a previous guide impact acceptance, training and work? These and many other concerns will be addressed by a panel of knowledgeable guide dog handlers. Questions from the audience, whether in person or via Zoom, are welcome.
Room: Port Winward ACB Media Stream
9:45-10:45 AM
FCB Employment Committee Program
Barbara Brown will facilitate this session.
The Employment Committee will discuss the topic of Why I Love My Job. Legally blind employees will discuss this and they welcome audience participation.
Room: Anchor ACB Zoom Audio
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Coalitions for the Concerns of the Totally Blind (CCTB)
This year, The Coalition for the Concerns of the Totally Blind will have a program featuring Hans, founder and CEO of Be My eyes, who will inform us of the many things they are doing for the blind and low vision community. Be My Eyes is one of the world’s largest networks for blind and low vision people that provide digital accessibility tools to blind and low vision people worldwide. Some of these tools include:
• Being able to call a volunteer for general assistance.
• Be My AI: Being able to take a picture and get back a detailed description.
• Being able to call a company or organization to receive specialized assistance with a product or service.
• And being able to use your Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses for additional ways to gain knowledge and information.
So, we hope you will join us this year in what we think will be a very informative and interesting program, learning about the many ways Be My Eyes can help you become more independent and self-sufficient!
Room: Port Winward ACB Media Stream
11:00 AM -12:00 PM
Project Insight Committee
First Aid Tips
Presenters: registered nurse Margaret Mosher (Paul Edwards daughter) and Dr. Stella Hayes
Come join Project Insight as we continue our outreach to
the blind and visually impaired community with a topic of common interest that affects everyone. We all have our own health concerns, and we know to contact health care providers in an emergency, but what about those everyday things that need immediate First Aid attention. How do we manage these things for ourselves and for those for whom we provide care and support? We welcome our special guest presenters, Ms. Margaret Mosher, a registered nurse, and Dr. Stella Hayes who will share their medical knowledge, and most of all, practical suggestions for managing those everyday health situations.
Room: Anchor ACB Zoom Audio
1:00-2:30 PM
FCB Annual Legislative Seminar
Moderated by Debbie Grubb
Come join us for the 2025 FCB Legislative Seminar.
Once again, the FCB legislative team will bring interesting, informative and insightful thoughts regarding the reception by the Florida Congressional delegation of the 2025 legislative imperatives set forth by ACB.
The 2025 legislative imperatives confront the issues of lack of access to home use medical devices and outpatient equipment; access to websites applications and online services; access to media, video user interfaces and video conferencing services.
The perceptive thoughts shared by the 2025 FCB Legislative team and honored guest, Jeff Bishop, accessible technology expert and President of BITS, will serve us well as we determine next steps in this organization's advocacy agenda.
Won't you make attending this event one of your convention priorities so that you can play a role as we continue the history of the meaningful advocacy that has been undertaken by the Florida Council of the Blind since its founding?
Room: Port Winward ACB Media Stream
1:15 – 2:15 PM
Demystifying Self-Publishing
Presenter Lynn Chantale Mapier
Have you written a book but don’t know what to do now? Or maybe you have a collection of family anecdotes you’d like to hand out as gifts, or maybe you’d just like to see your name in print. Author Lynn Chantale will provide you with the tools to self-publish your manuscript. From editing to cover art, Lynn will demystify the publishing process.
Lynn Chantale is an accomplished author with over 30 titles under her belt. She’s self-published as well as traditionally published.
Come in, take a seat, and be prepared to peek behind the veil of self-publishing.
Room: Anchor ACB Zoom Audio
2:45 – 3:15 PM
Credentials Workshop
Register your onsite delegates for the convention. Each chapter or affiliate must be represented in person by an FCB member to receive your credentials.
Room: Anchor Not on Zoom
3:00-4:00 PM
Democracy Live
Building Bridges through Accessible Voting
Presenter Charlie Kinnune, Director of Education
What should unite us, now divides us. Some of the most successful advocacy organizations in our country disapprove of accessible absentee electronic balloting. What has proven to be a game changer in accessible voting is not accepted by some organization's that historically supported accessible voting in the past. How do we engage these groups to discuss this very pressing issue?
Room: Port Winward ACB Media Stream
3:30 – 4:15 PM First-timers Workshop
Is this your first time attending an FCB Convention? WELCOME! We have a special workshop just for you, co-hosted by long-time members and FCB experts: Sally Benjamin, Mark Lear and Cassandra Jessie. This workshop will tell you who we are, what we do and what we have to offer. Come check it out and let us get to know each other.
Room: Anchor Not on Zoom
4:25-4:45 PM Executive Committee Meeting
Room: Port Winward ACB Zoom Audio
4:50 – 5:15 PM Pre-Convention Board Meeting
Room: Port Winward ACB Zoom Audio
7:00 PM
Awards and Scholarships Banquet
Join us on Friday evening to celebrate and recognize FCB leaders and deserving students at a special dinner hosted in their honor by Mary Tyson and Sheila Young, committee chairs for the Awards, Education, Leadership and Scholarships Committees. Select advocates and leaders will be recognized with prestigious awards and deserving students will be presented with valuable scholarships.
There will be a cash bar; cash only; no credit cards will be accepted.
Room: Port Winward ACB Media Stream
***
Saturday, May 17, 2025
8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Convention Registration
Room: Propeller
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Exhibit Hall Open
Room: Starboard
8:00-10:00 AM
72nd Annual State Convention
Opening Ceremony
Empowering Through AI: Presented by Jeff Bishop and moderated by Debbie Grubb
Jeff Bishop is a prominent figure in the field of accessibility and assistive technology, dedicated to enhancing digital
experiences for individuals with visual impairments; President of Blind Information Technology Specialists (BITS); serves on the Board of Publications and is influential in the ongoing efforts of ACB’s overall information technology, (IT) infrastructure.
A Training for Assistive Technology Users and Professionals is an engaging multi-hour event designed to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in the realm of assistive technology. Participants will learn about AI-driven tools and techniques that enhance accessibility, independence, and productivity for individuals with disabilities. This hands-on training will provide actionable strategies for integrating AI into daily workflows, empowering both users and professionals to unlock new opportunities. The session will include practical demonstrations, real-world applications, and interactive discussions to ensure attendees leave with a deeper understanding of AI’s role in shaping a more inclusive future.
Room: Port Winward ACB Media Stream
TWO CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS:
10:15-11:05 AM
10:15-11:05 AM:
Jeff Bishop’s interactive session will continue.
The demonstrations, discussion and amazing insights into AI will continue. Don’t miss a moment of this potentially life changing presentation.
Room Port Winward ACB Media Stream
10:15-11:05 AM:
The Blind Kitchen
Presenter Debra Erickson, MS
Executive Chef and Founder of the Blind Kitchen
Welcome to The Blind Kitchen where adaptive tools, helpful strategies, and specialized knowledge are provided to blind and vision-impaired people who want to cook safely, confidently, and independently. Chef Debra will discuss safe cooking techniques and products that The Blind Kitchen sells to make your culinary experience meaningful and provide you with confidence. Please come join us.
Room Anchor ACB Zoom Audio
TWO CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS:
11:15 AM-12:05 PM
11:15 AM - 12:05 PM:
FCB Technology Committee Program
Learn online security information
Are you worried about online security? Have you ever wondered how to keep yourself safe while shopping or visiting websites, or responding to emails? What about scams, or phishing, or captchas, and are you a robot? And what do these words even mean?
Come to the Technology Committee session to learn some tips about how to avoid online problems. We will just barely touch on the subject, but it will help you think about avoiding security breaches along with threats and perhaps lead you to a few ways to learn how to protect yourself while online.
Room: Port Winward ACB Media Stream
11:15 AM – 12:05 PM:
Join Petr Kucheryavyy, Sr. Manager with Spectrum’s Accessibility team.
He will present an informative look at all of Spectrum’s Accessibility offerings. Find out what’s new with the Spectrum FREE Access app, Spectrum TV app, accessible self-support and more. Additionally, learn about the all new Xumo Stream Box with a voice control remote, available now.
Room: Anchor ACB Zoom Audio
12:00 - 3:00 PM
OneBlood Blood Drive
Be a part of an essential part of saving lives and improving the health of others. The Florida Council of the Blind is sponsoring a blood drive with OneBlood at this year's State Convention at the Southbank Hotel on May 17, 2025 from 12pm - 3pm via the mobile bus outside the back entrance. Join us as we save lives and impact our community one donation at a time.
What You'll Need To Know:
1. Schedule your appointment time prior to arrival for convention check-in via the donor appointment link (which will be posted to FCB-L and sent out to Presidents to distribute when the link is made available).
2. Eat a good meal prior to donating
3. Arrive on time for pre-screening and donation
4. Donor incentives will be provided after giving blood.
1:30-2:45 PM FCB Annual Town Hall Meeting
Plan to attend this exciting and informative meeting moderated by President Mikey Wiseman. You will hear from the Director of the Division of Blind Services, (DBS) Robert Doyle, regarding the current status of the goals and mission of the agency including specific news that he wishes to bring to us. After his presentation, he will answer questions from the audience.
Room: Port Winward ACB Media Stream
TWO CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS:
3:00 – 4:00 PM
3:00-4:00 PM
Florida Council of Citizens with Low Vision (FCCLV)
Florida Council of Citizens with Low Vision will conduct its annual meeting and program. FCCLV 2025 program presenters will be Cachet Wells and Greg Lindberg, co-chairs of the FCB’s Activities Committee. As a special interest affiliate, FCCLV members reside in many communities throughout the state. The Activities Committee plans, organizes, and announces events and happenings all over the state. What a great way to get together with fellow visually impaired FCCLV members in your community and meet new/other individuals of the low vision community.
To the surprise of many, with little preparation to any activity, game or skill, you can rework your favorite to be accessible and inclusive to those who are Blind and Low Vision. Join FCCLV and the Activities Committee as we help you navigate and explore new ways to enjoy outdoor and indoor activities.
Room: Port Winward ACB Media Stream
3:00-4:00 PM
Easy Chair Yoga with Leslie Spoone Certified Aerobic and personal Trainer
Come and enjoy easy chair yoga. Leslie will teach you some easy moves for yoga and get your body stretched giving you relaxation from your busy schedule. You will even be able to do some of these moves when you go back home. Yoga is a wonderful way to elongate your muscles and keep your mind stress free from all of the world’s problems. So, I hope you stop by at convention to get some mind and body experiences!
Room: Anchor Not on Zoom
7:00 PM Live Auction and Annual Banquet
Attend FCB'S Annual Banquet: hosted by FCB President, Mikey Wiseman.
FCB’s Banquet speaker is Jeff Bishop who
is a prominent figure in the field of accessibility and assistive technology, dedicated to enhancing digital
experiences for individuals with visual impairments. Jeff is President of Blind Information Technology Specialists (BITS), serves on the Board of Publications and is influential in the ongoing efforts of ACB’s overall information technology (IT) infrastructure and outlook.
He lives in Phoenix, Arizona and will tell us his life story providing us with entertainment.
Bid on live auction items presented by Auctioneer Paul Edwards, and purchase 50-50 tickets.
John Richards’ tunes and more
Directly following the banquet, don't miss tunes from the vast library of DJ extraordinaire, John Richards. Come dance, socialize, or enjoy the music while getting supercharged for the suspense and excitement of FCB's annual Live auction results as well as the winners for the 50-50 drawing and the Chapter Revenue Program tickets.
There will be a cash bar; cash only; no credit cards.
Room: Port Winward ACB Media Stream
***
Sunday, May 18, 2025
8:30 AM - Noon
Bright and early on Sunday morning, you can claim your right and responsibility as an FCB member by participating in the organization's annual business meeting. Hear from leaders about progress made and work yet needing to be done and discover what important role you can play in advocacy.
Business Meeting Outline
Call To Order: Mikey Wiseman, President
Roll Call: Sally Benjamin
Minutes: Elizabeth Bowden
Treasurer’s Report: Mark Lear
President’s Report: Mikey Wiseman
Awards Committee: Mary Tyson
Scholarships Recipients: Sheila Young
Constitution and Bylaws: Doug Hall
Convention Committee: Kati Lear
Resolutions Committee: Paul Edwards
Other Committee Reports: (as needed)
Unfinished Business:
New Business:
Announcements:
Room: Port Winward ACB Zoom Audio
2025 FCB Exhibitors
Activities Committee
Cachet Wells
944 Stark St.
Jacksonville, FL 32208
904 764-4573
Jbillray2@aol.com
Bling Boutique by Coco
Courtney Brown
2121 Keith St.
Tallahassee, FL 32310
407 910-7226
Courtney.nicole85@gmail.com
Democracy Live
Bryan Finney
2900 NE Blakeley St.
Seattle, WA 98105
206 465-5636
bryan@democracylive.com
Disability Rights Florida
Dawn Moore
2473 Care Dr.
Tallahassee, FL 32308
850 617-9729
Dawnw@disabilityrightsflorida.org
Division of Blind Services
Dan O’Connor
1809 Art Museum Dr., Suite 201
Jacksonville, FL 32207
904 348-3730
daniel.o’connor@dbs.fldoe.org
Election Systems & Software
Sheri Menges
11208 John Galt Blvd.
Omaha, NE 68137
877 377-8683
conferences@essvote.com
Emerald Coast Vision Aids, Inc.
Adam Suitor
163 East Burgess Road
Pensacola, FL 32503
850 473-8081
adam@emeraldcoastvisionaids.com
Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind
Jennifer Valderrama
207 San Marco Avenue
St. Augustine, FL
904 827-2666
valderramaj@fsdbk12.org
Florida Vision Technology
Lesa Berg Kretschmer
2880 W Oakland Park Blvd, Suite 104
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311
800 981-5119
Lesa@floridareading.com
Friends of Library Access, Inc.
Paul Lewis
941 841-9640
lewpil1952@gmail.com
Greater Orlando Chapter
Leslie Spoone
3924 Lake Mirage Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32817
407 929-9837
lesliespoone@cfl.rr.com
The House of Lynn, LLC
Lynn Chantale
1124 N. E. 36 St.
Cape Coral, FL 33909
810 288 4116
lynn@thehouseoflynn.com
JW.ORG
Kevin Willis
2940 Oleander Dr. Apt. E8
Wilmington, NC 28403
910 619-6576
kwillis1102@gmail.com
Lighthouse of Central Florida
Shannon Boon
215 East New Hampshire St.
Orlando, FL 32804
407 604-4725
Shannon Boon: Shannon.boon@lighthousecfl.org
Sophia McCall: Sophia.mccall@lighthousecfl.org
www.lighthousecfl.org
Monthly Monetary Support
Dan Spoone
3924 Lake Mirage Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32817
407 227-4489
DanSpoone@cfl.rr.com
NFB Newsline of Florida
Russ Davis
5201 Atlantic Blvd. Unit #108
Jacksonville, FL 32207
904 993-8433
russell@radiorusty.com
ORCAM
Alexa Snitkoff
731 Lexington Ave.
New York, NY 10022
260 205-4745
Alexa.snitkoff@orcam.com
Patriot Vision Industries
John Palmer
2129 SW Highway 484
Ocala, FL 34473-7949
800 364-1610 / 954 629-2977
JPalmer@TheLVA.com
Paul Odham’s Opals and Gems
Paul & Patty Odham
1825 Deanna Dr.
Apopka, FL 32703
407 497-9938
odhamp@msn.com
The Seeing Eye
Chelsea White
P. O. Box 375
Morristown, NJ 07963
973 539-4425
whitec@seeingeye.org
Selvas BlV
Antonio Guimaraes
2113 Wells Branch Pkwy. Suite 6100
Austin, TX 78728
512 944-2847
antonio@selvasblv.com
Simply Prints
Aneesa Daniels
1442 Francis St.
Jacksonville, FL 32209
904 234 3337
aneesahtaylor@comcast.net
Spectrum/Charter
Petr kucheryavyy
6360 S. Fiddlers Green Circle
Denver, Co 80111
720 536-9223
petr.kucheryavyy@charter.com
VANDA Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Nurse Educator
2200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Suite 300
Washington DC 20037
202 578-9060
Vicki.preddy@vandapharma.com
Vispero
Ryan Jones
17757 US Highway 19 N., Suite 560
Clearwater, FL 33764
859 333-8191
RJones@vispero.com
www.vispero.com
Southbank Hotel Description
Main Entrance to lobby:
The main entrance has automatic doors that open. Outside of the doors- facing them, to the left is the valet stand. When you come out of the doors- this will be on the right and there is usually someone there that can help direct you.
On either side of the inside of the automatic doors are luggage carts that get moved around the hotel. Once you get past the luggage carts to the left is a bar. In front of you are four areas for seating. To the right is a security desk and as you trail the wall, you will find an ATM machine and then the concierge desk. There is another seating area just to the left of the concierge desk. This is a wide-open area of the hotel and there are 11 or 12 columns.
If you go around the concierge desk there is another short hallway that has rental cars, a fitness studio and vending. The vending machines are along the wall before you go into the hall. The fitness studio is the last door on the left.
Trailing the wall from the concierge desk to the hallway are a few tables and doorways for staff. If you keep following this wall (away from the main entrance) you will find a computer with printing ability if something needs to be printed. If you keep following it you will find double doors that open outwards (they are kept open) that lead to the elevators, conference center, restrooms and pool. Staying in this room, and continuing the systematic search of the perimeter of the room, you will find a couch with two end tables and two ottomans. There may be an auditory noise of elevators as the three elevators are visible behind the couch (accessed on the other side of that wall). There are three potted plants along the back wall that separates the elevators from the lobby.
Continuing the perimeter search, there is another entrance to the left that will take you to the restaurant - Pier 1515 and the Captain’s room. If you continue to follow the perimeter, you will find a recessed area with doors that open in. This is the sales office. To the left of this recessed area is a raised wall. There is a metal decorative fence around the raised wall for the bar. Trail this wall and at the end of the wall you will find a column with a garbage can. Tucked into a little nook between the wall and the entrance to the Currents Lounge, is a small area that has coffee and a microwave. There are metal stanchions that separate the bar from the lobby. There are 3-4 steps to walk up with the wall to the right and the metal fence to the left to get to the actual bar. There are tables scattered in this area for people to relax in at the bar. If you keep following the perimeter of the lobby, it will take you back to the main entrance.
Pier 1515 and Captain’s Room:
From main door:
move around the center seating area and veer left. Find the wall and look for the raised wall and recessed area of the sales office. Go around the sales office wall and take the first left. Follow wall on the left side. When the wall ends, there is a wall across the hall. To the left of the wall is the opening to the Pier 1515 restaurant. To the right of the wall is the Captain’s room. Go straight to get to the Captain’s room. There is carpet on the Captain’s room hall. The Captain’s room is straight in front of you. The Captain’s room is being used as an office space for ACB. To the right is the Admiralty Room. This room is not being used by ACB.
From the conference rooms:
Take the far-right door (there are three doors and a white piano in this area). Stay to the right and you will find a small hallway. The Men’s restroom is on the wall where it turns inward. The Women’s restroom is along the wall inside the hallway to the right. Go down this hall, through 2 double doors that are open. Turn to the right after going through the hallway, and look for the carpet. When you find the carpet if the goal is the Captain’s room- turn and follow the wall until it dead ends, the door for the Captain’s room will be to the left if you trailed the right side of the wall and to the right if you trailed the left side of the wall.
Pier 1515:
If the goal is the restaurant, trail the carpet line until you find it ends at the wall. Go around the very short wall and the entrance is next to you on the right. There is a hallway that continues to double doors that lead outside to the parking area. In this hallway, along the wall where the glass windows for the restaurant are a couple of chairs. Along the wall across from the restaurant is a foosball table. In the center of the wide hallway is a pool table. The doors outside have an automatic switch on the wall to exit, as well as the ability to be pushed open. These doors are locked at night.
Pier 1515 Restaurant:
You will find 2 glass doors that open out. When you go through the doors there is a hostess stand slightly to your right. If you align with the right side of your body to the hostess stand, and walk straight- you will find a column and the buffet. Seating is on the other side of the column and buffet.
To get to the conference rooms being used:
From the double doors that open outwards in the lobby (they are kept open) that lead to the elevators, conference center, restrooms and pool, go through either one. On the wall where the doors to this area are located are the elevators. They are situated between the two sets of doors. There are three elevators. The even buttons (2 and 4) are to the left and the odd buttons (3 and 5) are to the right, with the first-floor button centered underneath the two columns. There is a large black square above the center of the buttons.
With your back to the elevators, to the left is the small hallway that leads to the Captain’s Board room and the Pier 1515 restaurant. Inside this small hallway are the restrooms. The men’s is immediately to the right when you enter this hall. The women’s restroom is straight in front of you when you enter the hallway.
Continuing the exploration of this small area, with your back still to the elevators, directly in front of you are three sets of double doors that open out. The wall is broken into three sections with the center set of doorways attached to columns that protrude into this space. Entering any of these doors will get you to the main area of the conference room. You will notice carpet on the floor (rather than the previous wood flooring) to the entrance of the conference area.
If you go to the far right of this room, you will find doors that go to the pool area. There are two additional doorways in this hallway that lead to the Dockside and Commerce conference rooms.
Conference Area:
Once you enter the conference area, you will notice the change to carpet. On the perimeter of the walls, you will find seating areas next to the walls, or tables with decorative objects on them. In the center of this area, is a large white piano and bench. It is the only object in the center of the room.
If you trail to the left once you enter this room, you will find a hallway with conference rooms. None of these rooms are being used by FCB. Find the wall that continues from this hallway and follow it until you find the adjacent hallway. Turn left into this hallway. There is seating along the left side of this hallway. Almost immediately upon entering this hallway, you will find the Anchor room on the right side of the hallway. There are no chairs on this side of the hallway. There will be breakout sessions in the Anchor room.
Continue straight into the room, past the piano and find the wall with tables and decorative items on them. Turn to the right and enter the adjacent hallway. There is seating along the left side of this hallway. Almost immediately upon entering this hallway, you will find the Anchor room on the right side of the hallway. There are no chairs on this side of the hallway. There will be breakout sessions in the Anchor room.
If you trail to the right, you will find wall with the side of the Dockside room. Continue straight into the hallway. The first door you find to your right is the Anchor room. On the left side of this hallway, there are seating areas. There is one door on the right, past the Anchor room that is the Rope conference room that is not being used by FCB. There will be breakout sessions in the Anchor room.
Bridge Suite Foyer:
Continue down this hallway, with seating on the left and another open area just past the Rope conference room. This is the entrance to Bridge Suite Foyer. If you follow the wall to the right there is another entrance to the pool area and a women’s and men’s restroom before the door to the pool on the right side of the wall. In the center of this open space is another piano. This one is black. Be careful in here trailing the walls as there are decorative fish that are on the walls that can stick out about a foot.
Continuing the perimeter search of this area from the Rope room, to the bathrooms, and then the exit to the pool area. If you continue to follow the perimeter, you will find another short hallway that leads to the Bridge Suites (hotel rooms). Continuing to left past the entrance to the Bridge Suites, are more seating areas. Follow the wall to the right and you will find the Propeller room. The wall makes a wide turn to the left. This is the entrance to the Ballroom Foyer where there will be vendor exhibits closer to the Starboard conference room.
Ballroom Foyer:
The Ballroom Foyer is a long hallway with curtains on the right side as you enter the hallway. On the left side of the hallway, are the conference rooms- Port, Windward, Starboard. If you continue down the foyer, you will find tile and the exit to the building at the end of the tile. Turning to go back up the hallway, you will encounter the Starboard conference room. There will be exhibits in this area. Continuing up this hallway, the next room encountered will be the Windward room and then the Port room. These rooms will be combined to have the general sessions.
Return to Lobby:
If you continue up the hallway, you will find the entrance to the Port room and then following up the hallway you will go through the wide hallway and then back into the Bridge Suites Foyer following the wall to the right as it has seating areas. You will then enter the hallway where the Anchor room is located and going back to the entrance to the conference rooms with the white piano. Go back through one of the three doors and you will be entering the area with the elevators. There are two doors on either side of the elevators that will take you back to the lobby. From these two doors, the concierge desk will be to the left and the bar will be to the right. You will need to pick a side to go down, with columns scattered along the way, to get to the front automatic doors.
There are two areas for our dogs to have a bathroom break. One is outside the door of the restaurant and the other is an outside door by the Captain’s room.