Wednesday, June 11, 2008
HLAA Convention 2008 Here We Are!
June 12-15, 2008
Grand Sierra Resort and Casino
Reno, Nevada
By Barbara Kelley
People are arriving from coast to coast today in anticipation of the start of the convention tomorrow. On my way here from Washington, D.C., with a layover in Denver, I spotted Denver members Karen Keil and Debbie Mohney, waiting for the same plane to Reno that I was taking. Karen has been coming to HLAA (then SHHH) Conventions since at least 1991 when the event was held in Denver. What a loyal convention goer she is! Do you think she might have been having fun all these years?
Why this Blog?
I’ve never been a blogger but thanks to our generous sponsor, Motorola Foundation, and some news input help from Cheryl Heppner, executive director of the Northern Virginia Resource Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, I am going to B-L-O-G. (There is always a first!)
I truly want you to be a part of a Hearing Loss Association of America Convention. For those of you who couldn’t make it this year and have been to others, I hope this rings familiar with some new twists. If you are just tuning into HLAA, I hope you will get a taste of what our annual conventions are all about and join us next year.
If you want to see a complete program guidebook, go to the HLAA homepage at www.hearingloss.org and view it in PDF.
If you are in the Reno area, come by. You can register for the day or get a free exhibit hall pass to see the latest and greatest in hearing assistance technology.
Today brings arrivals, friends meeting friends, hotel check-in, HLAA Board of Trustees meeting (anyone welcome, check the program for the time tonight). And, I don’t want to gloat…but my room at the Grand Sierra is pure luxury with a marble bathroom fit for a queen (oh that is me all right).
I have to run…I see about 10 people I want to go and hug. I will report in later, at least daily.
A Taste of Tomorrow Land in Reno
The Exhibit Hall opens with a bang and a reception, Ollie Cantos keynotes at the Opening Session, and well…tune in tomorrow. If you still want to come by, you can, check out www.hearingloss.org.
Barbara Kelley is deputy executive director of the Hearing Loss Association of America and editor-in-chief of Hearing Loss Magazine. The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) is the leading organization for people with hearing loss, their family and friends. With 14 state organizations and 200 local chapters, HLAA creates awareness about hearing loss. National programs include Walk4Hearing, the Academy of Hearing Loss Support Specialists, national advocacy efforts, Hearing Loss Magazine, annual conventions, hearing technology training, and more.
