Sponsors and exhibitors
We at SPEVI are so appreciative of all our wonderful sponsors and exhibitors who will each greatly enrich our event, and we know they are so excited to showcase their products and services to you throughout the conference. Our family of sponsors include some of the best known and respected assistive technology distributors and developers, organisations of and for people who are blind and impressive innovators in education, sonification and much more, all contributing to an accessible and inclusive world for all. Check out the conference website for a list of current sponsors and be sure to visit our exhibitors on-site if you attend the conference in-person.
Welcome drinks and Australian Movie Premier
Welcome Drinks
Monday 13 January, 6:30pm – 7.30pm, at the Elizabeth Picture Theatre, 175 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane City, QLD 4000
On Monday 13 January, following the conclusion of day 1 of the conference, the Elizabeth Picture Theatre, one of the oldest buildings in Brisbane will play host to our Welcome Drinks event. Popcorn and a drink will be supplied on arrival. This is a free event for registered conference participants, but pre-booking is required for catering purposes.
Small meals are available for purchase at the Theatre’s Box Office, but please place your order on time, or have a bite before arriving at the Theatre or following the movie!
Movie Screening
Monday 13 January from 7:30pm – 9:00pm, Tara Room Elizabeth Picture Theatre.
Following the Welcome Drinks, you can enjoy the exclusive premier screening of “Possibilities” (a co-production of the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) and BeachGlass Films). The movie, which tells the story of Helen Keller through a modern day lens, is a world first in audio description as the film was written and shot with audio description as a primary feature not an adaptation (”Open Audio Description”). Pre-booking required. Please contact admin@speviconference.net with any questions. Proudly sponsored by SPEVI and the American Foundation of the Blind.
Tuesday 14 January Brisbane River Cruise and Dinner
Tuesday, 14 January 6:00pm - 9:00pm. Pickup from City Botanical Garden River Hub. Meet outside UniSQ at 5:30pm to walk together OR meet us at the City Botanical Garden River Hub by 5:50pm. Pre-booking is required (cost: $120 p.p.).
All aboard the Miramar (Koala Cruises). Serving as our official conference dinner, our special evening cruise along the Brisbane River, run by Koala Cruises and sponsored by Vision Australia is sure to be a fun social event with awesome atmosphere, nice food and sweeping views of the sunshine state's capital city.
If you have registered for the conference but not for the cruise but now wish to attend or bring a guest, we do have some spaces left. Please reach out to Carla, admin@speviconference.net if you'd like to register.
Wednesday night BBQ
Wednesday, 15 January, Brisbane Economic Development Agency will provide a beautiful venue on the fifth floor veranda overlooking Post Office Square, and cater a simple BBQ, beer, wine and soft drink from 5:30pm – 7:30pm. Open and free to all in person conference delegates and partners.
Following the close of our biennial conference on Wednesday this BBQ will be the opportunity for us to celebrate 200 years of braille. We can also reflect on a magnificent SPEVI conference and strengthening connections socially and professionally! This event will serve as an opportunity to wind down, take it easy, soke up the Brisbane atmosphere and enjoy a sausage and drink or 2. The BBQ is provided by Brisbane Economic Development Agency (Brisbane City Council).
Volunteers to turn a snag are welcome.
‘emPOWER SPEVI Braille Awareness Community Event’
Thursday morning 16 January, 8am – 11am, in Post Office Square (across from the conference venue).
Following the SPEVI Conference we want our SPEVI community to celebrate with the people of Brisbane using our theme of emPOWERment to make positive change in a Braille Awareness Community Event in Post Office Square. With the help of our conference participants, volunteers, sponsors and exhibitors (you!), SPEVI aims to engage the local, Brisbane community and emPOWER community awareness of the continued relevance of braille and new braille technologies. Help community members by explaining the braille code, emPOWERing community members to create braille and ultimately raise their understanding of the relevance of braille literacy in education, work and the community. At time of writing, confirmed event participants who will be set up in booths, are Lego Foundation (Braille Bricks experience), Brisbane Braille House (providing Perkins braillers so community members can create hard copy braille), Vision Australia (Feelix Library), UEB Online, by NextSense (demonstrating the online program) and Guide Dogs Queensland.
Be involved: SPEVI needs you! Please email admin@SPEVIconference.net if you can join us or have additional ideas to add.
Together we can celebrate and get the message out about the continued importance of Braille to BOOST access to education, work, and community, and raise awareness of the need for accessibility in society.
The Brisbane City Council is keen to support this important event in the lead up to the 2032 Brisbane Paralympics. Perhaps you or your students can start getting involved as volunteer or participant in the Games. Please note: This event may be cancelled on the day if there is inclement weather.
In-conference activities
In addition to a stellar program of presentations spanning the globe and a variety of interesting topics, in conference activities will involve our special mascot, SPEVI Bear, quizzes where you can win great prizes, engagement with exhibitors and while you chow down on a delicious lunch, you'll be serenaded by the entrants to our special SPEVI song competition which will be streamed throughout the main conference area and online.