2025 Conference FAQs

VisionServe Alliance Announces its 2025 Annual Award Recipients! VisionServe Alliance is honored to recognize exceptional leaders in the blindness and low vision field who distinguish themselves through their creativity, commitment, and dedication to improving the lives of the people with blindness and low vision.

2025 Leadership Conference FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions (A to Z)

Accessibility Tools

VisionServe Alliance strives to make our conferences 100% accessible. We are offering the following accommodations for our attendees:

  • Attendees will receive important conference information and updates via text notifications.
  • XR Navigation – access the link to the accessible digital map of the hotel meeting space to explore the hotel in advance. Find the link in the Attendee Hub under More>XR Navigation
  • MAD Lab has provided a tactile map of the hotel meeting space. You can pick up a copy of the map at the Info Booth upon check in.
  • Digital Dine-Around sign-up
    • Volunteers will be stationed throughout the meeting spaces to offer sighted guide to the breakout rooms and during meals. Visit the Info Booth in the ballroom foyer if you need assistance.
  • Using a screen reader? See the screen reader tips under the More tab of the Attendee Hub
  • Laptops equipped with JAWS screen reading software provided by Computers for the Blind are available for note-takers during breakout sessions.

App

Find our conference app called Cvent Events in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. It’s designed to provide you with all of the information you need right at your fingertips, and to help you navigate the conference better than ever before:

  • View a full schedule of events
  • Access session content digitally
  • Hotel Orientation Hints and Screen Reader Tips
  • Message and chat with other attendees to connect
  • Speaker bios and presentation slides
  • Digital sign-up for the Dine Arounds
  • Virtual Exhibit booths to connect with our Sponsors and learn more
  • Download the Cvent Event app, search for “VSA” and you’ll find this year’s event. Download it and sign in with your name and email that you used to register with. The system will email and text you a verification code, which you’ll enter to access the event virtual attendee hub app and website.

Attendee Hub

Attendees to the conference can access event information through the Attendee Hub. Access the Attendee Hub by signing in at this link. Find the Agenda, Attendee list, Virtual Exhibit Hall, Dine Around Sign-ups, Hotel Orientation Hints, Screen reader tips, and message other attendees.

Attendee List

VisionServe’s Conferences are all about networking with other attendees. You can chat/message with each other through the app, but if you want to know more information such as email address and home city and state, see the attendee list at the link below. Our conference tradition includes sharing the list of attendees with you so that you can easily connect with other attendees. Please note: those of you who opted out of communications with sponsors have been excluded from a separate list sent to our sponsors. Use of the Attendee List should not be abused, so we ask that you respect our attendees and please do not send emails to the entire list. Here is the Link to VSA Leadership Conference 2025 Attendee List.

Attire

Casual to business casual – no suits needed! We are happy to have you come dressed comfortably.

Breakfast

Breakfast for pre-registered attendees is available for registrants from 7:00 am – 8:30 am on Tuesday and Wednesday in the Bouchon Ballroom. Breakfast is also available in the hotel restaurant the Asadero Cocina. Or enjoy Starbucks coffee and fresh bagels and Danish pastries in the Made Market.  

CEU Credits

A maximum of 11.5 hours of CEUs are available for attendees. Track your attendance at each session by listening for the opening and closing code for each session and noting them on the attendance tracking sheet. Submit your completed attendance sheet by emailing it to wendy@visionservealliance.org at the end of the event and we will send you your CEU certificate.

Dine Around

The Dine Around is on Wednesday night 4/30. It’s a great way to get to know other attendees in a relaxed and fun setting while enjoying some of Scottsdale’s amazing restaurants. We have reserved group tables at a variety of the finest restaurants in the city, most within walking distance or a short Uber ride from our conference hotel. Visit the Dine Around pages in the app to view menus and Sign-up for your choice of restaurant or stop by the Info Booth for help signing up.

Exhibitors

Please visit our Exhibitor tables in the Grand Ballroom Foyer or their virtual booths in the Attendee Hub. There will be a special time to visit with exhibitors after lunch on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Guide Dog Relief Areas

There are two relief areas for service animals: 1) located off the lobby and main entrance. When you exit the main entrance, walk directly across the driveway to the grass. 2) Exit the doors off the Grand Ballroom Foyer. Hotel hospitality has also been notified which guests are bringing guide dogs so they will vacuum your rooms daily.

Networking Opportunities

Don’t miss out on all these great opportunities to network with attendees

  • Welcome Reception (Monday 6:00 – 8:00pm)
  • Breakfasts, coffee breaks, and lunches on Tuesday and Wednesday; tables will be reserved at breakfast for members of the Small Org Affinity Group and New CEO Affinity Groups.
  • Dine Arounds (Wednesday evening at 6:30pm) – be sure to sign up by Tuesday at 12:00pm!
  • First Time Attendee Happy Hour (Tuesday 5:00 – 6:00pm).
  • Off-Site Dinner at the MIM (Musical Instrument Museum) is Tuesday at 6:00pm.
  • Annual Awards Lunch (Wednesday 11:30am).
  • Optional Foundation for Blind Children Tour (Thursday 9:00am – 11:30am). Advance reservation required.

Parking at Hotel

No charge for Self-Parking on premises. Valet parking is included with the resort fee for those staying at the conference hotel and is available at $20 per day for local attendees.

Registration

The Registration table is located in the Grand Ballroom Foyer on the main level. Registration will be open beginning at 3:00 pm on Monday April 28 for you to pick up your name badge or stop by Tuesday morning from 8:00am.

Restrooms

There are three separate restrooms located on the main level of the hotel: 1) by the Chaparral meeting room, 2) adjacent to Asadero Cocina restaurant and 3) east of the doors exiting to the Asadero patio.

Safety & Protocols

VSA is committed to ensuring the safety of our attendees to the best of our abilities.

  • Masks: VSA will follow the latest CDC guidelines regarding masking. VSA will have disposable masks available if anyone needs one.
  • Additional protocols: 1) The hotel has hand sanitizer stations throughout the meeting spaces. 2) All seating is being spaced within current social distancing guidelines whenever possible. 3) Additional cleaning will be done of our areas each night in the meeting spaces.
  • We will continue to monitor and adjust our plans and health protocols as necessary. All of the above are subject to change based on updated county, state, and federal guidelines.

Scottsdale Information

Visit the Experience Scottsdale website for ideas on things to do in Scottsdale if you are extending your stay. Visit this link for special offers and digital coupons! We will also have Scottsdale Old Town maps available at the registration table for those who want them.

Social Media and VSA 2025 Leadership Conference Photo Album

Text Alerts

We will be sending key information about any schedule changes, and major conference news to attendees via Attendee Hub notifications. Please be sure you download the Cvent Events app in order to receive these important conference messages.

Transportation

  • Airports: There are two nearby airports: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) is 11 miles away. The average cost of a taxi is $25. Scottsdale Airport (SCF) is 9 miles away. Here are the links for accessibility information for Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. Aira is also available at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. Download the Aira app before traveling. Alert your airline in advance if you need additional assistance when you arrive at either airport.
  • Ground Transportation options to the hotel: Uber, Lyft and other rideshare, taxis, and Waymo One are all available from the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport to our hotel. Download theWaymo One app and enjoy your next ride in an all-electric Jaguar I-PACE, with no human behind the steering wheel. Here is the link for more information on PHX Ground Transportation.
  • Parking: Self-parking is free at the hotel. Valet parking is included with the resort fee for those staying at the conference hotel and is available at $20 per day for local attendees.

Volunteers

We appreciate our volunteers! Email wendy@visionservealliance.org if you’d like to sign up to volunteer.

Weather

Link to Scottsdale’s 10-Day weather forecast

Wi-Fi

You will receive complimentary wi-fi in sleeping rooms. The hotel also has free public Wi-Fi available in the lobby and meeting space.