Leading Together: Leveraging Change to Advance Our Vision
Join us for the 2025 American Foundation for the Blind Leadership Conference (AFBLC), which will be held at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Crystal City, Virginia, from November 12th to 14th!
This year’s conference theme is Leading Together: Leveraging Change to Advance Our Vision. The focus of the conference will be built on the dynamic reality that has been ensconced in our community in recent years. From the rapidly expanding fiscal austerity that has dramatically impacted legacy programs and institutions to the seismic societal shift brought by artificial intelligence and other technologies, our world has witnessed significant change. While headlines increasingly highlight a growing sense of disruption, AFB believes that by coming together, we can leverage this change in a manner that propels our mission forward for the next generation of thought leaders, scholars, and practitioners committed to creating a world of endless possibilities for people who are blind or have low vision.
Register
Registration for AFBLC 2025 is now open! Visit the registration page to sign up to attend or become an exhibitor. Find more information about the conference below.
Interested in Sponsoring? Download the AFBLC 2025 Sponsorship Menu to learn more or email partners@afb.org with any questions.
Program At-A-Glance
The 2025 AFB Leadership Conference will bring together thought leaders, advocates, scholars, and practitioners, paving the way for positive change within the field of blindness and low vision. Key themes addressed in this year’s conference will focus on leading during these rapidly changing times and exploring how innovative technologies, like artificial intelligence, continue to take center stage as services and tools are redefined. A detailed agenda is on the way. Check back soon for session topics and speakers!
Network
Join us the evening of November 12th for a special welcome reception hosted by AFB’s Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness (JVIB). Take time to reconnect with colleagues and meet the scholars who are conducting leading research in the field. Attendees will have additional time to foster relationships throughout the event, including another special networking reception the evening of November 13th, when we will celebrate 25 years of AFB’s AccessWorld Magazine. Participants can also enjoy a dine-around experience. AFB staff will help connect new and returning attendees while highlighting the many excellent dining options that have emerged in Crystal City in recent years.
Inform & Connect
Sessions will begin on the morning of November 13th, beginning with a deep dive into the pressing issues of the day. Hear how leaders from across the field and community are navigating these rapidly changing times as government and services continue to be transformed. Then we’ll welcome our 2025 keynote speaker, Dr. Joshua Miele, who has stood on the forefront of technological innovation for people with disabilities for over 30 years. His recently published memoir Connecting Dots: A Blind Life, captures the spirit of a scientist determined to make the world more accessible, driven by the events of his own life. This engaging morning program will set the stage for a day and a half of breakout sessions and plenaries intended to inform and inspire attendees on what our pathway to success looks like during these changing times.
Attendees are also invited to join AFB during our annual AFB Awards Luncheon, where we will be inspired by those formidable voices in our community who have made a lasting impact in society and broken down barriers to opportunity and independence for people who are blind or have low vision.
Location
We are excited to hold this year’s conference within the Beltway of our nation’s capital. This year’s conference will offer us a platform to hear from leaders across all sectors in our field. It will provide a backdrop embodied in our nation’s core values, advancing a narrative of independence, opportunity, and inclusion. It will also give us space to expand our network in a way that strengthens our collective voice and opens the door for future leaders. Crystal City has long been recognized as a gateway to innovation, where the best and brightest minds converge to find real solutions to tackle the most significant problems of the day. Its proximity to transportation, iconic monuments, and key influencers allows attendees to recharge and recommit to our shared mission. This is one conference you won’t want to miss.
Conference Updates
Be sure to sign up for conference updates, as a complete agenda will be published over the next couple of weeks. We are also excited to once again offer continuing education credits through ACVREP. Sign up to receive our annual Leadership Conference updates!
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