NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLIND MERCHANTS

 

Save the Dates

 

2026

 

The National Association of Blind Merchants will be participating in and sponsoring several events in the first half of next year as we begin celebrating 90 Years of Randolph-Sheppard.  “Despite the many challenges we face today, we anticipate a busy and productive 2026,” said Nicky Gacos, President of the National Association of Blind Merchants.  “We plan to celebrate our history while looking to the future and that starts with business leadership and superior training.”  

Although a large national BLAST Conference is not scheduled for next year, NABM will be sponsoring multiple smaller events.  This is being sent out now so you can get it on your calendars and tentatively plan your travel.  Coming up the first half of 2026 will be:

 

Cantaloupe University -  January 20-22 in Scottsdale, Arizona 

 

This is an annual event sponsored by Cantaloupe that provides training focusing primarily on micromarkets.  This training is available to blind entrepreneurs, SLAs, and micromarket operators outside of Randolph-Sheppard.  There will be special breakout sessions for blind entrepreneurs.  Arizona is a great place to be in January.  

 

Washington Seminar – January 26-29 in Washington, D.C. 

 

Members of the National Federation of the Blind will gather in our nation’s capital to go tell their story to their elected representatives on The Hill.    This self-advocacy event will focus on national issues that impact the daily lives of blind people in this country.  

 

Vistar Southeast Buying Show - March 29-30 in Orlando at Sea World

 

This event is sponsored by Vistar primarily for its customers in the Southeast part of the country; however, it is open to anyone in our Randolph-Sheppard community.  It is the southeast version of the event we have done the last several years with Vistar in Atlantic City.  Participants will travel in on Sunday and attend an NABM networking reception that evening.  NABM will do a full-day of training on Monday followed by a Vistar sponsored reception.  On Tuesday, participants will attend the Vistar Buying Show which will feature over 200 companies with great show deals.  

 

NAMA – April 21-24 in Los Angeles, California 

 

A short 3 weeks after Florida, NABM will cross the country and again be partnering with the National Automatic Merchandising Association to conduct training.  Participants will travel in on Monday and attend an NABM networking reception in the evening.  NABM will provide its customary daylong training on Tuesday.  On Wednesday, attendees will want to take advantage of some of NAMA’s educational sessions as well as the general session.  The Show opens Wednesday afternoon and runs through noon on Friday.  It is an amazing show featuring all of the latest equipment, technology, and new products.  

 

Happy Birthday Randolph-Sheppard, A Virtual Birthday Party – June 19, 2025

 

NABM will conduct virtual celebration in recognition of Randolph-Sheppard turning 90-yeaars old.  It promises to be a fun and learning experience and you can enjoy it right at home.  

 

National Federation of the Blind National Convention – July 3-8 in Austin, Texas

 

The NFB National Convention travels to the vibrant city of Austin, Texas for the largest gathering of blind people in the world.  Travel to Texas to get recharged and learn.  NABM will hold its annual business meeting which will include some outstanding speakers in conjunction with the national convention.  Although the exact schedule has not been released, it is anticipated that NABM will be meeting in the afternoon on Saturday, July 5.  Come join us!

 

Wow!  That gets you through the first half of the year or does it?  Depending upon the political landscape, a limited D.C. Fly In  may be scheduled for February or May.  And you can bet on more to come the second half of the year.  Information about these events will be sent out separately as the dates get closer.  And be on the watch for announcements about virtual events that NABM will also be sponsoring.  

 

There is no expectation that you attend every event.  That would be asking too much.  But NABM hopes you will attend those that you can.  “We just want to get training out there for our folks to help prepare them for this ever-changing industry,” concluded Gacos.    

 

 Our 2025 Corporate Sponsors

Blackstone Consulting

Southern Food Service

Commissary Services of Nashville

Sodexo / InReach

Cantaloupe

Coca-Cola

Greenway Supply Company

Pepsico

Tyler Technologies

Brown, Goldstein & Levy

U-Select-It

Vistar

Red Bull

Keurig / Dr Pepper

Seaga / AMS