By Phil Aiello, DSA President • New Horizons Summer 2024
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Good afternoon everyone. This is Phil Aiello, president of Deaf Seniors of America. In regard to the DSA 2025 Kansas City conference, we received several inquiries asking why the conference date was changed from the middle of August to the first week.
The reason is when the DSA board met at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown hotel last April, the bord conducted a walk through of the historic Muehlebach Tower, we realized the Tower did not meet our accessibility requirements. Consequently, we asked that we host the conference at the Marriott Tower as it meets our accessibility needs. The result was the first week of August was available so we accepted the first week. That is the primary reason why we changed the conference date. The Marriott Tower is fully accessible and more modern. You will be pleased with your stay at the hotel.
Now, as I mentioned earlier, the Marriott link to book your rooms is on the 2025 Conference tab on the DSA website. I want to make things clear that the conference itself begins on Sunday, August 3, 2025 at 6:00 PM and ends Thursday, August 7, 2025 with a Farewell Luncheon and Entertainment.
So be aware when you book your room at the Marriott hotel, check in is Saturday, August 2nd and checkout is Friday, August 8th. I want to repeat again, check in is Saturday, August 2nd and checkout is Friday, August 8th. I’ve noticed some of you already booked for check out Thursday, August 7th which means you will miss the Farewell Luncheon and Entertainment. Several of you contacted me and told me the Marriott said no rooms were available on the 7th. The hotel is mistaken, and we straightened everything out with them. Therefore, I’m asking those who already booked checking out on the 7th to contact the hotel to change checkout from the 7th to the 8th. If you have issues changing the checkout dates, let us know and we will help you. On the 2025 Conference tab in our website you will notice the Lodging section. This has all the information on how to book your room.
As for Pre-Conference Tours, more information will be announced soon. These tours will be held Friday, August 1st and Saturday, August 2nd. For those who will be interested in going on these tours, check in will be Thursday, July 31st and checkout Sunday, August 3rd – the hotel will be within a block of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown hotel. When the update on Pre-Conference tours is made, you will have plenty of time to make room booking adjustments.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact us.
Be safe and well. See you all again soon.