[Jobs] Memphis Blues BLAST ‘08

[David Andrews]

“Transformation”
Business, Leadership and Superior Training

Dunkin Donuts,
The National Association of Blind Merchants
(A division of the National Federation of the Blind) and
Tennessee Business Enterprises

Presents

Dunkin Donuts
Memphis Blues BLAST ‘08
April 16-19




National Training Conference for Merchant 
Vendors, Program Staff, Corporate Partners, and 
All Blind and Vision Impaired People Interested in Entrepreneurial Ventures




Mark the dates of our Business, Leadership and 
Superior Training (BLAST) conference scheduled 
for April 16-19, 2008 at the Memphis Marriott and 
Convention Center Downtown. Travel to Memphis for 
a truly rewarding experience and receive 
unbelievably low room rates, which are good from 
Tuesday, April 15th thru Sunday April 20th, based 
on availability. This means you can visit with 
merchants, agency partners, and suppliers and 
even give yourself time to relax and enjoy the 
soulful city of Memphis and all that it has to 
offer; maybe even find your inner Elvis. 
Conference activities BLAST off on Wednesday 
afternoon April 16th and conclude mid-day Saturday, April 19th.

Transformation, trends, techniques, tours of 
historic Memphis. Some are already calling it 
BLAST Plus. Marketing, project management, 
professional image development, leadership, 
contracting, customer service, human resources. 
The Randolph-Sheppard Program is at a pivotal 
point. How will we, the blind vendors, SLA 
partners and others in and around this program 
lead its transformation? Themes of greater 
possibilities for the blind in business and all 
stakeholders and partners with whom we work will 
intersect at this transformative Business, Leadership and Superior Training.
Training sessions and meetings will begin 
Wednesday afternoon. We will be in meetings all 
day Thursday and Friday as well as Saturday 
morning. We are planning receptions, a leadership 
breakfast, and a luncheon banquet. As always we 
are developing a first class training agenda. 
Those who attended our Denver BLAST say they 
gained much from the innovative, interactive, and 
informative training. The goal of the BLAST 
Conference is to target training to meet the 
specific needs of blind entrepreneurs and our 
agency partners. Dunkin Donuts Blues BLAST is not 
only for those in Randolph-Sheppard. Any blind 
person in training to operate or already involved 
in small business will benefit from this 
extraordinary training and networking retreat. 
Rehabilitation counselors may also find knowledge 
and motivation at this Dunkin Donuts Blues BLAST.
Working with our partner suppliers and purveyors, 
we are planning an even more extensive product 
and services showcase of exhibits during the 
Dunkin Donuts Blues BLAST the afternoon of 
Thursday April 17th.  New products, special 
pricing, accessible technology and more will make 
this showcase one you can’t afford to miss.
For the first time, we are proud to have a title 
sponsor. After looking at the curriculum and 
considering the potential of BLAST and their 
relationship with the National Federation of the 
Blind, Dunkin Brands is providing significant 
underwriting dollars for BLAST 08. There are 
currently eight Dunkin Donuts sites operated 
under partnership agreements with blind 
entrepreneurs through the Randolph-Sheppard 
program. “The reaction to this innovative 
approach, bringing national branding 
possibilities to blind vendors, has been 
phenomenal,” according to Chris Burr, Director, 
Nontraditional Development, Dunkin Brands. First 
Vice President of the National Association of 
Blind Merchants, Nicky Gacos, has been taking the 
lead to develop national branded initiatives. He 
believes this Dunkin partnership has significant 
potential. “Of course we can create profitable 
business opportunities with a large successful 
partner like Dunkin, but they can also bring 
systems and professional education to the entire 
Randolph-Sheppard program and program 
participants can get this kind of training only 
at BLAST,” Nicky says. An additional value which 
Dunkin Donuts brings is their capacity to provide corporate training.
For the third time this decade, BLAST is being 
co-sponsored by Tennessee Business 
Enterprises.  Many in our Randolph-Sheppard 
industry believe that Tennessee Business 
Enterprises is a benchmark program. Working with 
the elected committee, the body of blind vendors, 
and other stakeholders, Tennessee Business 
Enterprises has always taken much pride in the 
way active participation is implemented as well 
as the manner in which extensive and targeted 
upward mobility training has been provided. 
Partnering to co-sponsor BLAST in conjunction 
with their 2008 annual meeting is one more way 
the TBE brings education and information to 
Tennessee blind and vision impaired managers and agency staff.
This year registration is $175.00 and will cover 
all conference activities and training materials. 
Those who register prior to Tuesday, April 1, 
2008 will pay only $125.00, receiving a $50.00 
discount for early registration. Checks should be 
sent to NABM, 1223 Lake Plaza Drive Suite D, 
Colorado Springs, CO 80906.  Along with your 
check, please include name, phone number, and 
best mailing address and e-mail if available for 
each person you are registering. You can also 
register online at 
<http://www.blindmerchants.org/>www.blindmerchants.org. 
Remember that the registration fee also includes 
tradeshow, receptions, leadership breakfast, 
luncheon and more surprises - probably donuts and 
coffee. Agency purchase orders are also being 
accepted. This year’s BLAST adds value by 
providing a new element to the stellar curriculum 
BLAST is known for. On Friday afternoon, April 
18, immediately following our leadership 
luncheon, buses will load for one of these 
exciting tours: Graceland; Stax and Sun Records; 
or The Rock and Roll Museum and Gibson Guitar 
Factory. This is a departure from previous BLAST 
conferences. This will add an additional 
networking opportunity and make the conference a 
bit more of a retreat. Join friends and 
colleagues and enjoy one of these tours as a part of your registration fee.
The Memphis Marriott Downtown offers luxurious 
lodging at tremendously low rates. Rates for our 
Dunkin Donuts Blues BLAST are: $83.00 for single 
and double; $103.00 for triple and quad per night 
all week long. All rates quoted are net per room, 
per night, plus the current 15.95% tax. The 
Memphis Marriott Downtown is the largest hotel in 
Memphis. The hotel is conveniently located on the 
Memphis Trolley line and very close to shopping, 
museums, world-renowned entertainment and the 
exciting nightlife of Beale Street. Don’t miss 
the nearby National Civil Rights Museum, the 
Brooks Museum of Art, AutoZone Park and the FedEx 
Forum. Take a trip down the Memphis Walk of Fame, 
visit Stax Museum of American Soul Music, the 
Pink Palace Museum and Planetarium and finally 
the famous Peabody Hotel for the March of the 
Ducks.  Memphis is much more than Elvis Presley’s 
home town. Memphis is music, memories and the 
Mississippi River; the mighty artery that brought 
influences from both the north and south to this 
very distinctive City on the Bluffs.
For hotel reservations, call The Memphis Marriott 
Downtown at 1-800-228-9290.  Inform the agent 
that you are booking for the group rate for the 
National Association of Blind Merchants. MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW!
The theme of this year’s BLAST will be 
“transformation”. Working together, we can build 
a new Randolph-Sheppard Program. Join us for our 
Dunkin Donuts Blues BLAST!  As those of you who 
have attended previous BLAST conferences know, we 
are not planning the usual blind vendor 
conference. It will be a BLAST of fresh air with 
real take home ideas which blind entrepreneurs 
and agency partners can use to build careers. If 
you are blind and have an interest in building 
profitable businesses in or out of 
Randolph-Sheppard, you will find this year’s 
BLAST to be a transforming experience.
BLAST will feature electrifying upward mobility 
training seminars taught by this nation’s leading 
motivators in the fields of human resources, 
marketing and retail management. Join us as these 
scintillating speakers walk us through dynamic 
approaches to develop rapport with customers, 
building management, SLA’s and colleagues. You’ll 
go home with a pocket full of tools and 
techniques that will reach customers and keep 
bringing them back; methods to anticipate, 
understand, embrace and manage change in the 
marketplace. You will be energized by practical 
strategies to manage, teach, lead, profit! There 
will be formal and informal opportunities 
throughout BLAST to network and build strong 
personal and business relationships.
To listen to and view a five and a half minute 
video presentation highlighting previous BLAST 
events, go to 
<http://www.blindmerchants.org/>www.blindmerchants.org. 
At the bottom of the home page, play “BLAST introduction video”.
BLAST 08 is the National Training Conference for 
you!  We want your input and ideas as we develop 
the specifics of this high caliber conference. 
For further information and to offer your 
suggestions, contact Kevan Worley, President 
National Association of Blind Merchants at 
719-527-0488 or 1-866-543-6808, or email 
<mailto:kevanworley at blindmerchants.org>kevanworley at blindmerchants.org.

Make Plans Now to join us in Memphis!  It’s going to be a BLAST!
As Elvis would say, “Thank you, thank you very much”.


Tentative Agenda

Some specific times either have not yet been 
allocated or are subject to change and there are 
still a few specific curriculum items which have 
not been added. At BLAST we have a tradition 
which is that we do not promote, in advance, 
speakers, celebrities, panels, tours and 
presentations which are not yet confirmed. Below 
you will find a general outline. We hope it helps 
you plan and allocate funds so that you can come 
to this extraordinary educational retreat.

1.       Wednesday, April 16 - 11:30am
           Randolph-Sheppard Transformation 
Discussion Luncheon (by reservation). Cost of 
luncheon is not included in the basic BLAST 
registration rate. This is a luncheon for all who 
wish to discuss the current status of the 
Randolph-Sheppard Program and how we tackle the 
task of transforming it. It is for those with ideas and optimism.

2.       Wednesday, April 16
There will be a number of breakout sessions 
beginning at 1:30pm, 3:00pm and 4:30pm. Topics will include:
* updating food service safety and sanitation techniques
* making your vending machines make money for you
* a discussion of non-traditional Randolph-Sheppard businesses
* human resource management
- dealing with violence in the workplace
- sexual harassment
- immigration status
* relaxation through yoga - finding that life/business balance

3.       Wednesday, April 16 - 3:00pm
Our State Licensing Agency partners will again 
gather for their exclusive roundtable. This is an 
opportunity for SLA management and staff to 
exchange information. Blind vendors are expressly 
not invited to this SLA forum.

4.       Wednesday, April 16 - 7:00pm
Welcoming Reception sponsored by Dunkin Brands 
and Tennessee Business Enterprises. BLAST is 
known for its bountiful array of hors ‘deuvers 
and wonderful entertainment. This year will be no 
exception. We are proud to present the Nashville 
musician, Gordon Mote. Gordon is in high demand 
as a studio musician. He travels with country and 
gospel recording artists such as The Gaithers. 
Gordon is blind and he will not only sing and 
play; he will provide his unique perspective.


5.       Thursday, April 17 - 7:15am
Annual Leadership Breakfast. Opening ceremony is 
always powerful. Recognition of industry leaders 
and a thought provoking message from Dave Wottle 
(1972 Olympic gold medalist and Associate Dean at 
Rhodes College) “Moving from the back of the pack 
to take the lead when going for the gold”.

6.       Thursday, April 17 - 8:45am
“Franchising and Randolph-Sheppard – a corporate perspective”.
Chris Burr – Director, Non-Traditional Development, Dunkin Brands

7.       Thursday, April 17 - 9:15am
Access Technology of the future is here to 
empower the blind today. James Gashel, Director 
of Marketing, KNFB Reading Technologies. Two 
years ago we announced the revolutionary KNFB 
handheld reader. But, what is next? The revolution continues.

8.       Thursday, April 17 - 9:30am
“Let your transformation begin – creative, 
visionary, outside the lines”. James Jeffley - 
Co-owner, The Jeffley Group. Educator, executive.

9.       Thursday, April 17 - 11:00am
“Project Management – powerful instruction for 
blind entrepreneurs, teaming consultants, and agency personnel”.
Jim Glick - Training Consultant (Rockhurst 
University) will help us develop the project, 
build the team, include all stakeholders, and 
touch all the bases to bring the project home on time.

10.     Thursday, April 17 - 12:00pm
           Product and Services tradeshow

11.     Thursday, April 17 - 4:00pm
Building connections through an entertaining 
reception in honor of BLAST exhibitors and guests

12.     Thursday, April 17 - 5:30pm
           Buses load for gambling venture to 
Tunica, Mississippi. Cost is $35.00.


13.     Friday, April 18 - 7:00am
Women’s Leadership Breakfast
Pam Schnurr (Indiana) and Kim Williams 
(Tennessee) will chair our annual women’s forum. 
Only 23% of Randolph-Sheppard managers are women. We can do better.

14.     Friday, April 18 - 8:15am
           Corporate sponsored continental breakfast

15.     Friday, April 18 - 8:45am
“Getting the Most from Consultants and teaming partners”.
How SLA’s and blind vendors can maximize existing 
relationships with consultants and teaming partners doing business with us.

16.     Friday, April 18 - 9:30am
“Securing government permits and contracts”.
Agency officials from GSA, USPS, and RSA share tips, techniques and challenges.

17.     Friday, April 18 - 10:30am
“It’s the little things – transformational insight and outlook”
Daniel B. Frye - Director of Advocacy Services, 
National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute.

18.     Friday, April 18 - 11:20am
“The One Minute Entrepreneur”
A keynote address from nationally known business 
authority, Don Hutson. Mr. Hutson is co-author of 
The One Minute Entrepreneur, with Ken Blanchard, 
author of the best-seller, The One Minute Manager.

19.     Friday, April 18 - 12:15pm
Annual Leadership Luncheon “Take the Lead, Focus 
the Power – Transforming Business Opportunities for Blind Americans”
Kevan Worley - President, National Association of Blind Merchants
Be ready for some Memphis surprises at this 
luncheon. It is always a high point of BLAST.

20.     Friday, April 18 - 2:00pm
Join us for value added. Buses begin loading for 
Graceland; Rock and Soul Museum and Gibson Guitar 
Factory; or the Sun Records Studio and Stax Records tours.

21.     Saturday, April 19 - 9:00am
“Developing Effective blind vendor committees”
A panel discussion. It will feature both 
committee members and SLA participants.

22.     Saturday, April 19 - 9:40am
“To transform and magnify – image is all 
important. Your clothes ARE your first 
impression. The 10 things our clothes say about 
us before we say a word”. This is not your 
typical “dress for success” lecture. This is the 
real deal! You won’t want to miss this thoughtful 
and provocative presentation which will lead to profit and possibility.
Bob Adelman, serial entrepreneur
* life insurance sales (million dollar roundtable)
* financial sales (Integrated Resources Equity Corp)
* Owner and Registered Investment Advisor (Asset 
Management and Timing Service Inc.)
* Owner/Operator (Bob’s Windshield Repair Service)
* Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering and 
MBA w/ emphasis on economics and finance - Cornell University

23.     Saturday, April 19 - 10:30am
“It all comes down to this. Breaking free of the 
paralysis of analysis. Transformation; Because you can!”
Henrik Rosvall – this author, educator and coach 
is always in demand. This outstanding speaker and 
trainer energizes audiences with his ability to 
bring them to the top of their game in business 
and life. Henrik was paralyzed from the neck 
down. Doctors said he might not ever walk again. 
Seven weeks later, he was jogging. A coach’s 
coach, Henrik has worked with the absolute best 
in the fields of sports, business, and entertainment.


BLAST will adjourn at 11:59am. For those who are 
interested, we will also be offering a tour to 
the Civil Rights Museum. Cost and arrangements 
are still to be announced. We will also be adding 
additional training, which will truly make this BLAST Plus.