PVA heads to Las Vegas for its 80th Annual Convention
By Robert L. Thomas Jr.
It’s that time of year again — convention time.
This month, for the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) 80th Annual Convention, we’re headed to Las Vegas, aka “Sin City,” where the one-armed bandit slot machines and high rollers can be found in the same buildings. It’s where big stars perform consistently and celebrity chef-prepared meals are available.
While Las Vegas has a collection of entertaining things to do, we’re not there to have fun. We’re there to get to business. This convention, we’ll honor and acknowledge eight decades of hard work PVA has accomplished.
PVA has come a long way since our very first testimony on Capitol Hill to advocate for important legislation to help veterans with disabilities live independent lives. You’ll see our various campaigns honoring our 80th anniversary, showing PVA’s record to date. PVA is historic, and we’re still working on what comes next for our fellow veterans living with spinal cord injury and diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
For those who have served on the national board of directors or chapter leadership, you’re quite familiar with our annual conventions and what’s expected. However, for those who aren’t familiar, we have four days filled with various areas of focus, including proposed resolutions, keynote speakers, next fiscal year’s proposed budget, staff reports, presentations from various departments, chapter updates and, of course, our awards presentations.
The convention is an exciting time, as it’s PVA’s biggest board meeting of the fiscal year. And if you’re a sitting member of the executive committee, it’s moving and nerve-racking because it’s the week we hold our elections for the next leadership team. I’m no stranger to these elections, but I still hold my breath to see the results of the board of directors’ choices each year.
Last month, I spoke about the executive committee candidates who are included in the April edition of PN. The convention is where it all comes into play, as the national board of directors has the opportunity to vet the candidates and ask germane questions.
For those PVA members not serving on our board of directors, it’s important for you to look at our candidates, as well. Look at who is advocating on your behalf, and if you have questions, let your chapter know.
It’s important that our executive committee members understand the needs of our organization and the members they’re serving. PVA is unique, as its members are the ones who make the decisions for our organization and set our bearing. It’s a must and a necessity for us to cooperate as our forefathers did to ensure our PVA members are supported.
I became a national vice president on the executive committee in 2017, and I’m reflecting on all that I’ve witnessed since then. It’s hard to believe it’s been nine years. One theme I’ve seen throughout this time is alteration.
We’ve gone through so much, including a global pandemic, and thanks to our leadership and dedicated staff members, we’ve had notable successes and endured some growing pains. With fiscal year 2026 already nearing its end in June, I can genuinely say I’m proud of all that we have accomplished thus far, and I’m eager to see what comes next for our organization and membership.
Viva Las Vegas!