St. Pete Hosts Winter Conference; Candidates, Elected Officials Scheduled

Fort Lauderdale - The Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus, an arm of the Florida Democratic Party representing the Sunshine State's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) residents, will hold its winter conference in St. Petersburg Friday, February 26 through Sunday, February 28. The event, whose theme is OUTburst!, is hosted by the Stonewall Democrats of Pinellas County and is being held to coincide with the Pinellas County DEC dinner.

Speakers include a wide range of state, local and national political figures and candidates, including a number of Florida's openly-gay elected officials. Expected to participate are Attorney General candidates Dan Gelber and Dave Aronburg; US Senate candidates Kendrick Meek, Maurice Ferre and Kevin Burns; Alabama's first openly-gay member of the state legislature, Patricia Todd; Michael Mitchell, executive director of the National Stonewall Democrats; Florida Democratic Party Executive Director Scott Arceneaux; and White House Deputy Director of Public Engagement Brian Bond (invited). Also participating are several of Florida's openly-gay elected officials, including St. Petersburg Councilmember Steve Kornell, Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner, and Broward County Mayor Ken Keechl.

In addition, the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus PAC and the National Stonewall Democrats PAC will host a joint fundraiser Saturday immediately following the conference. Themed "Honoring Florida's GLBT Elected Officials," this event is a separate ticket and will feature a number of the state’s openly-gay elected leaders.

Early registration through February 19 is $55 for Caucus members is $65 for non-members, which covers the cost of the event and includes continental breakfast and lunch on Saturday. After February 19 the registration fee will increase to $60 for Caucus members and $75 for non-members. The conference hotel is the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront, located at 333 First Street South. Participants can register for the conference and the joint Caucus PAC/National Stonewall Democrats PAC fundraiser, and make hotel reservations at www.floridaGLBTdemocrats.org.

The current agenda follows. Updates will be provided as speakers and times are confirmed. All events are OPEN PRESS.

WHAT: OUTburst!, the Winter Conference of the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus

WHEN: Friday, February 26 through Sunday, February 28

WHERE: Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront
333 First Street South
St. Petersburg, Florida

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26

6:00pm Progressive event in Downtown St. Petersburg at Mindy Solomon Gallery and Herman Home

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27

8:30am Registration and continental breakfast
Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront
333 First Street South

9:00am Morning Session: call to order and morning business session, followed by breakout workshops

Noon Buffet lunch featuring Attorney General candidate town hall with Dan Gelber and Dave Aronburg

1:00pm Afternoon Session: speakers and breakout workshops

4:45pm Adjourn

5:00pm "Honoring Florida's GLBT Elected Officials," a join fundraiser for Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus PAC and National Stonewall Democrats PAC