The National Federation of the Blind of Illinois convention encourages people to embrace a positive philosophy about blindness. It is the opportunity for blind people to dream big and transform their dreams into reality. For sponsors and exhibitors, it is the opportunity to share products and messaging with the blind or to seek feedback from the blind of Illinois. Support the efforts of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois as a convention sponsor or exhibitor at our 2026 state convention. We expect in-person attendance of 150 registrants. The convention is also streamed for anyone who wishes to join.

Location and Dates:

The Hyatt Regency Lisle Near Naperville Hotel is our convention location, Friday, October 23-Sunday, October 25, 2026. We cannot do this work alone. Become a convention sponsor and empower blind people to live the lives they want! Share your products or messaging with the blind of Illinois. All sponsors enjoy prime locations for exhibiting.

Sponsorships

A $500.00 Gold Sponsorship would guarantee a thank you acknowledgement to your organization on our NFBI agenda as well as at the Saturday general sessions. Your organization is also entitled to two complimentary tickets to the Friday evening general session and NFBI’s Got Talent, the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois’ version of “America’s Got Talent” and one exhibit table!

A $1,000.00 Diamond Sponsorship would guarantee a thank you acknowledgement to your organization in our NFBI agenda as well as at the Saturday general sessions. Your organization would be entitled to two complimentary tickets to the Saturday night banquet where our national representative will deliver the keynote address and one exhibit table!

A $2,000.00 Elite Sponsorship would enable your organization to have a full-page advertisement in our NFBI agenda. Your organization could occupy two tables for exhibiting in a prime location. Your organization would be featured in e-mail blasts about the convention sent out to our members which are distributed on two or more Listservs. Also included in the Elite Sponsorship are two complimentary banquet tickets and registrations. Our national representative will deliver the keynote address during the Saturday evening banquet.

We guarantee convention sponsor benefits if payment is received by Monday, September 15, 2026. Mail your National Federation of the Blind of Illinois convention sponsor check to NFBI treasurer, Michal Nowicki, 5128 N. Oak Park Ave., Chicago, IL 60656. On the memo line, indicate, “Convention 2026 sponsor”. Register for convention by visiting our convention page. If you are sponsoring do not fill in the exhibit portion of the registration form since your exhibit fees are waived by sponsoring our convention. Email me to let me know that you are planning to take advantage of the exhibit hall.

Exhibitors

All exhibitors are listed on the convention agenda and enjoy opportunities to exhibit during the convention. Cost to exhibit is $150. Exhibit hours will be from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. on October 23 and between 8:00 and 11:00 on October 24. Visit our convention page to register at https://nfbofillinois.org/convention. When you register, indicate that you are an exhibitor in the form.