by The ‘Rona has struck again. The 2020 Gun Rights Policy Conference scheduled for September 18-20 in Orlando, Florida is going virtual. I got notified about it this afternoon.
I was scheduled to speak in Orlando so will be doing it virtually. Fortunately, I’ve been working virtually since March including doing live WebEx presentations. Thus, I have a bit of experience with it.
The Second Amendment Foundation sent out the following notice.
BELLEVUE, WA – For the first time in its 35-year-history, the annual Gun Rights Policy Conference hosted by the Second Amendment Foundation and Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms will be a virtual online event, due to the current COVID-19 situation.
“We will definitely miss the face-to-face personal contact with so many friends and activists,” SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan Gottlieb acknowledged. “By switching to an online virtual event for the 2020 conference, we will reach a far broader audience. Between the actual event, and future visits, we hope to reach at least 300,000 gun owners and rights activists, which will be important in this critical election year.
“Having to go virtual for this year’s event may be a blessing in disguise,” he stated.
Since the first GRPC was held in Seattle in 1986, the event has evolved from 20 speakers and 70 attendees to more than 90 speakers and 1,100 attendees in 2019. The GRPC has become a “must attend” event for gun rights advocates and grassroots activists across the country. This year we anticipate having nearly 100 gun rights speakers.
“This year’s theme remains the same,” Gottlieb said. “We’re calling this year’s event ‘Elect Freedom,’ and we will provide updates on confirmed speakers and the multi-media platforms where activists can join us Sept. 19 and 20.
“GRPC is older than two of my children,” said SAF Director of Operations Julianne Versnel. “I will miss seeing everyone and moderating the event. However, just because it’s virtual doesn’t mean it won’t stay on schedule.”
“We are living in extraordinary times,” Gottlieb observed. “This decision was made after carefully analyzing and considering all of the circumstances. Given the current COVID-19 environment and constraints on travel, as well as the inability of our reserved hotel to accommodate us, we will make this year’s ‘virtual’ GRPC the important and memorable event of 2020. Together we will all make the Second Amendment great again.”
It is also my understanding from Paul Lathrop that AMM-Con media conference will also be held virtually. I have participated in all three AMM-Cons and highly recommend them to all bloggers, podcaster, YouTubers, and anyone using new media to get the 2A message out.