The 80th Annual Convention in Great Falls features a dynamic lineup of educational and motivational presentations focused on empowerment, independence, and community support. Led primarily by speakers who are blind or visually impaired themselves, the sessions cover a diverse range of topics, including insights into eye health and essential showcases on assistive technology. Together, these discussions are designed to equip attendees with practical independent-living skills, introduce helpful tools for daily life, and reinforce the powerful message that vision loss does not limit personal potential.
Friday September 11, 2026
- 8:30 AM - 12 PM: Board Meeting
Start of Convention
- 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Convention Registration
Opening Day Sessions
- 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Tactile Art - Kristi Eagle Horse
- 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Orientation & Mobility Workshop - Angela Tabb
Learn more about Angela - 4:00 PM - 8 PM: Vendor Area Opens
- 4 PM: Silent Auction Opens
- 5:30 - 6:30 PM: Pizza Buffet
2026 MAB Convention Opening Cerimonies
- 6:15 PM: Welcome to the 80th Annual Convention - Ed Worrell & Jocelyn DeHaas
- 6:30 PM - 7 PM: Opening Ceremonies - Little Shell Tribe
- 7:15 PM: Live Auction - Bob Maffit
Saturday September 12, 2026
Please note: Breakfast is on your own. There is a restaurant on site
- 8:00 AM: Day Of Convention Registration
Morning Activities
- 8:30 AM: Vender area opens
- 8:30 AM - 11:45 AM: 2026 MAB State Business Meeting - Doug Robinson & Jocelyn DeHaas
Read the 2026 Business Meeting agenda
12 PM - 1 PM: Lunch
- Magnify Your Knowledge of the Visual System - Kathi Garza
Learn more about Kathi
Afternoon Breakout Sessions
First Breakout Sessions
- 2 PM - 2:45 PM: The Confidence Code: Building Unshakeable Self-Trust in a World That Doubts You - Bobbie Maloy
Learn more about Bobbie - 2 PM - 2:45 PM: Humanware BrailleNote Evolve - Rachel Ramos & Kevin Hughes
Learn more about HumanWare
Second Breakout Sessions
- 3:00 - 3:45 PM: Techniques for Empowering Safety - Laurel Henry
Learn more about Laurel - 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM: MonTECH - Michelle Allen
Learn more about MonTECH
Final Session
- 4:00 PM - 4:45 PM: MAB Panel - Jocelyn DeHaas
- Panelist:
- Laurel Henry
- Phoenix Robinson
- Kristi Eagle Horse
- Chris Broadhurst
- 4:45 pm - 5:30 PM: Cane Ordering and sizing tips - Angela Tabb
Learn more about Angela - 4:45 PM: Silent Auction Closes
- 5:45 PM: MAB & Chapter Awards: Jocelyn DeHaas
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Banquet Dinner
- 7 PM: Banquet Dinner Keynote:
- Navigating the Music Industry with a visual impairment - Aaron Nordstrom
Learn more about Aaron Nordstrom
- Navigating the Music Industry with a visual impairment - Aaron Nordstrom
- Following Banquet presentation: Performance by Aaron Nordstrom
Sunday September 13, 2026
- 8:30 AM - 9:15 AM: Memorial Service - Little Shell Tribe
- 9:30 AM: Board meeting - Installation of Officers