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Registration Opens For Windy City BLAST Inaugural Micromarket Certification Training Program

CHICAGO -- The National Association of Blind Merchants, a division of the National Federation for the Blind, is heading to downtown Chicago for its BLAST (Business Leadership and Superior Training) conference, taking place April 14-17 (Tues.-Fri.) at Chicago's Hyatt Regency at 151 East Wacker and registration is now open. Organizers of the event say the event promises to be the biggest and best BLAST ever. “There is already a lot of buzz about our 2020 Conference,” said NABM president Nicky Gacos. “We h...

January 15, 2020 by Emily Jed

CHICAGO -- The National Association of Blind Merchants, a division of the National Federation for the Blind, is heading to downtown Chicago for its BLAST (Business Leadership and Superior Training) conference, taking place April 14-17 (Tues.-Fri.) at Chicago's Hyatt Regency at 151 East Wacker and registration is now open.

Organizers of the event say the event promises to be the biggest and best BLAST ever. "There is already a lot of buzz about our 2020 Conference," said NABM president Nicky Gacos. "We have some exciting things we will be announcing in the coming weeks. You don't want to miss 2020's premiere Randolph-Sheppard training event."

NABM will be offering the first-ever micromarket certification training exclusively for the Randolph-Sheppard community on Friday morning, April 17. NABM will issue certificates to everyone who completes the half-day training. It is recommended for both blind entrepreneurs and state licensing agency (SLA) staff alike. Space is limited, so NABM is urging participants to sign up early; there is a separate $50 registration fee for this training.

"As NABM President Nicky Gacos and others have traveled around the country, questions about micromarkets persist from blind entrepreneurs and SLA staff alike," said Terry Smith, director of Randolph-Sheppard training and technical assistance for NABM. "What are micromarkets?  In what sorts of locations are they most successful?  How can we offer more to our customers?  Can you sell hot food in a micromarket?  How can micromarkets generate more profits for blind entrepreneurs?  How much space is needed?  How do we know when a micromarket is the right solution?  This training answers all of these questions and more."  

NABM has forged a partnership with Translucent LLC to take the lead in the training.  Translucent, formed in 2017 by Steve and Patty Classer, is a Kansas City-based company with expertise in setting up micromarkets and coaching operators to be successful.  Both have spent their entire careers in the foodservice industry and have a wealth of knowledge from which to draw and together they will teach BLAST participants "Micromarkets A to Z." 

Also new this year is a half-day training session for elected committee members on Tuesday morning training. "Learn from the experts and learn from each other," Gacos said.

Back by popular demand will be the SLA staff training all day Tuesday and the pre-conference breakout sessions on Tuesday afternoon. Some amazing keynote speakers are being lined up. And it won't be all work. There will be some fun along the way too.

Early bird registration will be open until Friday, Feb. 21. Those who register before that date, will have their names placed in a drawing for a $500 cash prize.

NABM has changed its registration process this year to simplify it.

Click here and follow these Instructions: 

1.            Complete the registration form providing all information requested.

2.            Click on "Continue to Payment Page."

3.            This takes you to your cart. Select "Add to Cart."

NOTE: If your SLA is paying for your registration, change the number from 1 to 0 and then click on "Add to Cart." This will allow you to register without being charged and will still allow you to register and pay for the micromarket training, SLA training, or purchase additional meal tickets.

4.            If you wish to add the additional State Licensing Agency and/or Micromarket Training or additional meal tickets, click on the tab below the BLAST 2020 Chicago picture that said "Return to Main Registration Page."

5.            You can then choose to add the training or tickets.

6.            Once on the page, choose what you would like to add. When finished, click "View Cart. "

7.            Once in your cart, if you forgot and still need to add the SLA or micromarket training or purchase meal tickets, scroll down below the "Proceed to Checkout" button and there is an icon that allows you to go back This will take you back where you can choose to register for the trainings or additional meals.   Choose what you would like to add, and when finished, click "View Cart."

8.            Once in "View Cart," verify your selections. You can use the red X to delete items or change the quantity if needed.

9.            If you make changes, be sure to update your cart. You can then proceed to checkout by selecting that button.

10.          You will now enter your payment information. If your registration is being paid by your state agency via a purchase order or some other means, simply exit out of the page. You will have already been registered and arrangements will be made for payment.

11.          You will receive an email confirmation of your registration. If you do not receive the mail, be sure to check your junk mail.

Click here to book a room at the Hyatt ($149 per night). The hotel will honor the special rate the weekends prior to and after the conference as long as rooms are available, so NABM is encouraging participants to come early or stay late and enjoy all that the Windy City has to offer.

Contact Barbara Badger at Barbara.badger60@gmail.com or (888) 687-6226 for more information.