Bay State Council of the Blind

2026 Spring Conference and Convention Agenda

Burlington Marriott Hotel – Saturday, May 16

Morning Session

- Opening Remarks, David Kingsbury, President, BSCB

- Overview of Massachusetts Commission for the Blind Activities, John Oliveira , Commissioner

Julieann Cofone, Communications Coordinator

- Participant Introductions

- Acknowledgment of Convention Sponsors

- What’s New at the Massachusetts Association for the Blind Community Services, Jenniffer Harnish

- What’s New at the Perkins School for the Blind, David Barth, CEO

- Perkins Library Update, Kim Charlson

- First Reading of Proposed BSCB Resolutions, Brian Charlson

- Election of BSCB Officers, Carl Richardson, Nominations Committee chair, to announce slate of nominees recommended by the Nominations Committee

- Brian Charlson to explain voting procedures

- David Kingsbury to chair election

Afternoon Session

- Short comments by newly elected officers

- Debate and Adoption of Proposed Resolutions, Brian Charlson

- Announcement of BSCB Awards, Awards Committee: Kim Charlson (chair), Pam Loch, and Jerry Berrier

- Waymo autonomous vehicle development and experience in Boston, Hannah Tuten, Public Affairs Officer

- Perspectives on Our 50thAnniversary, Reflections on the past and future of our organization, Panelists: Chris Devin, Judy Cannon, Kim Charlson, Brian Charlson, David Kingsbury

- Accessible Gaming, Aaron Spelker recounts his experience attending an accessible gaming conference in London

- Bruce Howell Tell’s Us About His Book, Co-authored with Marv Alpert, “Alzheimer's Caregiving With Love, Laughter and A Plan",

- Susan’s Safari, Susan Bueti-Hill tells us about her trip to Tanzania, including climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

- Wrap Up

RANDOLPH-SHEPPARD

VENDORS OF AMERICA

20260223 RSVA SAGEBRUSH 2026 THURSDAY BUSINERR ENTERRPRISE PROGRAM TRAINING CONFERENCE

SAGEBRUSH 2026: “Celebrating 90 years of Randolph Sheppard Blind Entrepreneurship!”

Thursday February 26, 2026

- Moderator: Ardis Bazyn (CO), Bazyn Communications, RSVA® First Vice President

- “Innovative Businesses in the BEP Arena”:

Jack Pinnock (FL), Dreamie Cookies Corp; Jeff Babb, HERR FOODS INC

- “Walking in the Light” film not included die to copyright regulations

- “What current micro markets are offering to stimulate growth”

Eric Harns (MN), Eagle Eyes Vending; Phil Hubbard (FL); COLTON KNIGHT, Chief Executive Officer, Knight's Culinary Productions Inc.

- What Airport facilities Offer and Challenges Involved”:

Ronald Flormata (HI), RMF Enterprises, Inc., RSVA® Board member

- "Social Security and Medicare Questions Answered":

Annie Walters (NV), SSA Public Affairs Specialist

RANDOLPH-SHEPPARD

VENDORS OF AMERICA

20260223 RSVA SAGEBRUSH 2026 WEDNESDAY BUSINERR ENTERRPRISE PROGRAM TRAINING CONFERENCE

SAGEBRUSH 2026: “Celebrating 90 years of Randolph Sheppard Blind Entrepreneurship!”

Wednesday February 25, 2026

- “Technologies benefiting BEP operators and VI staff”:

Haley Lan (FL), Patriot Vision Industries, LLC; Shawn Welker (MI), Founder & Consultant, VisualEyes Access; Damashe Thomas (MI), Technical manager, A. T. Guys

Many technologies assist vendors while they are managing a facility. These speakers will highlight how their products/service will improve the business owner’s abilities to manage the business.

- "What’s new in Kiosks/Micro Markets Systems and Vending Management”:

Matt Kotsch (FL), Territory Sales Representative, Trinity Access, Inc.

- “Current Military Facility Operators Outline Their Various Food Service Options”:

Conrad Bennett (WV), Lots of Smiles Inc.; Ryan Skinner, Business Enterprise Program Director, South Carolina Commission for the Blind; Karen Jones (SC), South Carolina Chair State Vendor Committee; Scott R. Lassiter (NC), Ed.D. Business Enterprises Program Chief, Division of Services for the Blind, Department of Health and Human Services

- "Report from the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind and Randolph-Sheppard":

Catriona Macdonald (DC), President Linchpin Strategies, LLC. and NCSAB Policy Advisor for Randolph-Sheppard;

- RSVA® Sagebrush “90th Randolph-Sheppard Act Anniversary” Luncheon:

Sponsored by U-Select-It

Moderator: Scott Eggen (MN), RSVA® President

- Luncheon Speaker: Tricia Waechter (TX), CEO Blind Girl Designs-