2025 BLIA NA Fellowship Meeting

I. Organizer: BLIA World Headquarters

II. Institutions-in-Charge: BLIA Austin, Dallas, and Houston Chapters

III. Activities: Opening and Closing Ceremony, Meeting Sessions, North America Night of the Buddha’s Light, and Post-Meeting Tours

IV. Dates: April 18-20, 2025 (Friday ~ Sunday)

V. Meeting Schedule: In US Central Time (CT)

4/18: Gathering, Check In, Opening Ceremony
4/19: Meeting Session, Banquet, Night of the Buddha's Light
4/20: Comprehensive Discussion, Closing Ceremony, Xiang Yun Temple Tour, Farewell, Complimentary Half-Day Tour
Note: The organizer reserves the right to make flexible adjustments. Please follow the Meeting’s      actual announcements.

VI. Participants:

• World Headquarters Directors, Treasurer, Deputy Secretary-General North America

• World Headquarters Committee Directors (Vice), Lay Dharma Teachers/Lecturers

• North America Chapter Elder Advisors (General), Presidents, Monastic Advisors, Chapter Executives and Members

• North America Subchapter Elder Advisors, Presidents, Monastic Advisors, Subchapter Committee Executives and Members

VII. Registration Fee:

1. A. Now till November 30, 2024: US$350 per person
   B. December 1-25, 2024: US$400 per person
   C. December 26, 2024 - January 15, 2025: US$450 per person
   D. From January 16, 2025 onward: US$500 per person
   The fee includes accommodation, meals, and transportation during the meeting April 18-20, a half-day tour of downtown Austin, and one souvenir.
   Note: From January 15, 2025 onward, cancellations will not be refunded and transfers are not accepted. 

2. Accommodation during the meeting will primarily be in double occupancy rooms.

3. Those requesting a single room will need to pay an additional $100 per night, totaling $200 for April 18-19. For couples requiring a double-bed room, please specify in the accommodation section of the registration form.

4. Participants attending the 2025 North America Fellowship Meeting who need transportation and accommodation arrangements for early arrival or late departure (at their own expense), please register in advance with the institution-in-charge for efficient processing.

VIII. Registration Guidelines:

1. Date: Registration begins on November 5.
   To register: Online registration, please login with BLIA membership number.
   Registration link: Please go to BLIA World Headquarters official website: https://www.blia.org.

2. Monastic Advisors: Register through Fo Guang Shan ECP administration system via BLIA entry.

IX. Check-in Information:

1. 1. 1. Check-in date and time: April 18, 2025 (Friday) from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
         Note: Hotel check-in is available after 2:00 pm.

      2. To check-in: Participants should check in with their BLIA membership card to receive their name badge, room key, meal vouchers, and souvenirs.

      3. Check-in location: JW Marriott Austin Hotel, 3rd Floor
         Hotel Address: 110 E 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701 

X. Special Notes:

1. Opening Ceremony: Each chapter is encouraged to wear state-themed attire and carry chapter, national, or state flags to add color to the fellowship meeting.

2. Night of the Buddha’s Light: For fostering fellowship among BLIA members, all chapters are welcome to register for performance. Please refer to the 2025 North America Fellowship Meeting Performance Registration Form:  https://forms.gle/4Jin5Y1PnGUoXQYK8.

3. Participants are requested to wear the BLIA uniform with their BLIA membership card. Please bring your own reusable water bottle.

4. Airport Transportation Service:
   A.) Transportation service will be provided only from April 18 to 20 for round trips between Austin AUS Airport and the Meeting hotel, as well as for drop-off at Austin AUS Airport on April 20 after the conclusion of Tour A. (For Tour B and C participants, airport transportation will be arranged by the respective chapters at the end of the tour.)
   B.) Anyone requiring airport transportation service should wear the BLIA uniform for easy identification.
   C.) If there are changes to arrival flights, please contact the local chapter to inform the organizer as soon as possible.

5. Post-meeting Tours:
   For travel itineraries and related registration details, please refer to (Attachment 1).
   Tour registration form link: https://rb.gy/h2vmu9
   Contact Person: San-Jao Lin (BLIA Dallas)
   Contact Phone: +1 (817) 797-5371
   Email: lynettelin@yahoo.com

6. Meeting Handbook:
   Starting in 2024, to actualize “Environmental and Spiritual Preservation,” a printed copy     of the meeting handbook will only be provided to chapter presidents and monastic advisors. All other participants will be using the e-book version and printed handbooks will not be provided

XI. Payment Method:

1. 1. 1. Registration and post-meeting tour fees must be paid to the institution-in-charge before January 19, 2025.

      2. After making the payment, please email the remittance proof to austinblia23@gmail.com along with the completed 2025 Registration Fee Payment Information Form (Attachment 2).
         Contact Person: Elaine Hsu
         Phone: +1 (512) 788-4810 

XII. Contacts:

BLIA Austin Contact Person: President Ariel Liu
6720 N Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin, TX 78731 USA
Email: austin@blia.org
Mobile: +1-650-898-9003