News Archive
Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus Winter 2009 Conference
Hosted by the Stonewall Democrats of SW Florida (SD-SWFL)
I am pleased to announce that the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus Winter 2009 Conference will be held in Fort Myers on the weekend of February 20th-22nd. The site that has been selected to host this event is the new Holiday Inn Fort Myers Airport @ Town Center, just off I-75 at the Alico Road interchange (Exit 128). I was invited to tour the hotel during a private pre-opening event and I can honestly say that this is unlike any other Holiday Inn I have ever seen. It is a very contemporary, yet warm & spa-like design.
Agenda/Speakers
With this being the first time the state caucus has come to SW Florida, our planned agenda covers a broad range of topics that should prove interesting on both the local and state level. Just a few of the speakers and presentations include Kevin Beckner (an openly gay Hillsborough County Commissioner); Lee County’s State Committeewoman Ellis Robinson (Ruth's List Florida & Fair Districts Florida); Nadine Smith (Equality Florida); Chuck Mohlke (DNC Member and FDP Chair of Clubs and Caucuses); Ron Mills (Vice-Chair of the FDP Affirmative Action Committee); Cathy James (Securing Our Children's Rights / Gay Adoption); Phillip Perry (Social Media and Networking websites); Alachua County's State Committeeman Terry Fleming and Activist Donna Lee (Gainesville's Charter Amendment to remove LGBT protections) and Organizations United Together “OUT.” It seems that Fort Myers and our own Stonewall Democrats of SW Florida has caught the attention of the National Stonewall Democrats. Not only do we have a news article featured on their website, but NSD Co-Chair, Stephen Driscoll has just agreed to speak at this conference.
http://www.stonewalldemocrats.org/node/536
Our invited special guest speakers for the Fort Myers conference include U.S. Congressman Kendrick Meek, Florida State Senator Dan Gelber and the Mayor of North Miami, Kevin Burns who have each announced they are running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Republican Mel Martinez.
Registration
At this time, the conference events have started and additional registrations are no longer being accepted online. If you wish to attend the event, on-site registration is available from 8:00 am until 9:00 am Saturday morning. The on-site registration fee is $50 for members and $75 for non-members. Unfortunately only cash or checks will be accepted. However, there are still seats available for the complimentary dinner and show at the Broadway Palm that evening. Please confirm availablity with the registration team when you arrive.
Donations
The Stonewall Democrats of SW Florida asks all conference attendees to bring an extra toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss and/or other personal hygiene items (soap, shampoo, deodorant, etc.) to donate to the Island Coast AIDS Network (ICAN). Donation bins will be set up in the conference meeting room. More information on ICAN is available on their website: http://www.icanswfl.org
Sincerely,
John Hawkins, President
Stonewall Democrats of SW Florida
Director Region 5, Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus
