Registration Opens For Blind Merchants BLAST Conference In Chicago

KNOXVILLE, TN -- Registration is open for the National Association of Blind Merchants' Windy City BLAST, a training conference taking place May 17-20 at the Loews Chicago O'Hare Airport Hotel in Rosemont, IL.

Founded in 2002, NABM's BLAST stands for Business Leadership and Superior Training Conference. NABM consists of visually impaired businesspeople who are either self-employed or part of Randolph-Sheppard's vending program.

The Windy City BLAST begins with "The Disney Approach to Business Excellence," a daylong preconference session on Tuesday, May 17, from 8 a.m. to 4 pm. The workshop will be available for $100 to anyone who registers for BLAST, and to the general public for $375. NABM recommends registering early since the discounted price is available to only the first 175 registrants; the maximum capacity for the training conference is 275.

"Disney is known for its business excellence and as blind entrepreneurs we have an opportunity to learn from the very best," said NABM president Nicky Gacos.

BLAST's opening night reception will follow the Disney training.

Former Navy Seal Leif Babin will present BLAST's keynote address at the opening general session on Wednesday, May 18. He will discuss "Extreme Ownership," which is the title of his New York Times bestselling book, focusing on the leadership skills he learned as a Navy Seal and how they apply to the business world. Leif's best friend and fellow Navy Seal was blinded in combat, which gives him a personal connection to BLAST.

BLAST organizers will soon announce additional educational sessions for Wednesday morning, which will be followed by a trade show in the afternoon, along with programming for Thursday, which will conclude with a banquet.

Free transportation will be provided from the Lowes Chicago O'Hare Airport Hotel to a nearby casino, and the hotel is located within walking distance to a train station for easy access to downtown's Miracle Mile shops, Navy Pier and museum district.

Contact Terry Smith by emailing terrysmith@epbfi.com for additional information on the Windy City BLAST.