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National PAC Conference
February 21-24, 2010 -
Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club - St. Petersburg, FL
AGENDA
Sunday, February 21
3:00 p.m.
PAC Compliance for Beginners
New to PACs? If so, this pre-conference session is a must to get up to speed on the basics of campaign finance law, including current contribution limits, fundraising rules and filing requirements.
Breanna Olson
Manager, Political Involvement Programs
Public Affairs Council
4:30 p.m.
Insider's Guide to the National PAC Conference & Meet Your Mentor/Mentee
Get oriented for this year's conference so you get the most from your experience. Hear about new topics and how you can customize your training with senior- and junior-level workshops. Also, if you have been assigned a mentor or mentee, here's your first chance to connect and begin discussing this year's PAC successes and challenges.
Breanna Olson
Manager, Political Involvement Programs
Public Affairs Council
5:00 p.m.
Welcome to St. Petersburg Networking Reception
Generously Sponsored By: DDC Advocacy
Connect with your mentor or mentee before the welcome reception, and begin discussing this year's PAC successes and challenges.
www.ddcadvocacy.com
Monday, February 22
7:30 a.m.
Registration/Networking Breakfast
Generously Sponsored By: Aristotle
www.aristotle.com
8:00 a.m.
Opening General Session
Generously Sponsored By: State & Federal Communications, Inc.
Breaking News: FEC's Analysis of Campaign Finance
The buzz about the future of campaign finance is making headlines -- and making heads spin. Incoming FEC Chairman Matthew Petersen will offer an insider's perspective on the issues surrounding PACs, the FEC and corporations' role in elections. What can you expect in the upcoming election year? Here's your chance to find out.
Matthew Petersen
Commissioner
Federal Election Commission
9:00 a.m.
Break
9:15 a.m.
Concurrent Management Workshops A
A1: Corporate PAC Compliance Training (repeats)
Rules surrounding PACs are in constant flux, and your company could be at significant risk if you're not up to speed. This comprehensive training session will help you stay compliant by examining federal and state guidance on fundraising restrictions and campaign finance reporting requirements.
Kenneth A. Gross
Partner
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
A2: Association PAC Compliance Training
The best available training will help you steer your association clear of potentially devastating legal landmines. Get current guidance on restricted PAC communications, prior approval requirements and PAC management tips to stay compliant.
Michael E. Toner
Partner
Bryan Cave LLP
A3: Start Your PAC on the Right Track (new)
Are you new to PACs, or a veteran looking to rebuild your program? Gain practical tips on everything from winning over skeptical senior managers to developing messages that resonate. These peers can help you save time and resources.
Peter Michael Gavigan
Vice President, Corporate Communication
Linde North America
Mike Wendy
Director, Public Affairs
Computing Technology Industry Association
10:30 a.m.
Break
10:45 a.m.
Concurrent Management Workshops B
B1: Corporate PAC Compliance Training (repeats)
Rules surrounding PACs are in constant flux, and your company could be at significant risk if you're not up to speed. This comprehensive training session will help you stay compliant by examining federal and state guidance on fundraising restrictions and campaign finance reporting requirements.
Kenneth A. Gross
Partner
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
B2: A "Continuous Improvement" Model for PACs (new)
In an ideal world, employees are challenged to identify problems, experiment with solutions and propose ways to make tasks more efficient and cost-effective. Can this work for PAC management? Learn how one organization vigorously adopted a "continuous improvement" philosophy and applied it to PAC campaigns and government affairs.
Michael J. Matuszewski
Manager, Public Policy
DTE Energy
B3: How Does Your PAC Measure Up? (new)
Benchmark your PAC against 135 corporate and 56 association PACs with this in-depth analysis of key findings from the Council's 2009 PAC Benchmarking reports. Compare your PAC's typical participation rates for each segment of your solicitable class, how the involvement of CEOs and boards of directors is changing and how PAC managers are assuming more responsibility and seeing greater receipts.
Sheree Anne Kelly
Director, International & Political Programs
Public Affairs Council
12:00 p.m.
Buffet Luncheon/Industry Networking Roundtables
Generously Sponsored By: Vocus, Inc.
www.vocus.com
12:30 p.m.
Public Affairs Resource Marketplace Opens
1:30 p.m.
Concurrent Communication Workshops C
C1: What's In It for Me? (new)
To build support for your PAC, it's important to clearly communicate its value to members. Have you run out of creative gift ideas, or are you having a hard time communicating the benefits of involvement? In this session, two organizations that revamped their recognition programs will facilitate a creative exchange.
Katherine Fry
Manager, Federal Government Affairs
National Association of Chain Drug Stores
Jill Rowlison
Manager, U.S. Government Affairs
Baxter Healthcare Corporation
C2: Strength in Numbers: Integrating PAC, Grassroots and Lobbying Strategies
An integrated, three-pronged approach to government affairs reduces internal confusion and sends a cohesive message to decision-makers. Learn what you need to ensure your government affairs messages don't contradict one another and how they can work together to rally employees behind your initiatives.
Moderator:
Rikki Amos
Associate Director, Political Involvement Programs
Public Affairs Council
Panelists:
Heather Cutler
Director, Federal & Political Advocacy
CVS Caremark Corporation
Adam Melis
Director, Advocacy Outreach
The American Institute of Architects
C3: PACs Online (new)
Technology is changing how people get information. Explore an online PAC training program to see how it educates and engages employees. You will also review your peers' e-newsletters and websites for innovative tactics to incorporate in your own communications strategy.
Amy Fedigan
Director, Public Affairs
Liberty Mutual Group
Dan Murphy
Product Manager
DDC Advocacy
2:45 p.m.
Afternoon Break
3:15 p.m.
Communication Tools
Join a fast-paced, interactive discussion that analyzes the components of PAC brochures, surveys, enrollment forms, mission statements and incentive clubs. This session - particularly popular during our 2009 conference - will demonstrate how PAC communications have evolved in the last year. Choose a breakout room based on your organization type:
- Corporate
- Corporate
- Association
4:15 p.m.
Break
4:30 p.m.
Concurrent Fundraising Workshops D
D1: State PACs Making a Fundraising Impact
By involving otherwise unsolicitable groups for state fundraising, many PACs are freeing up resources for federal candidates. If you manage PACs on both fronts, acquired state PACs through a merger, or are reassessing your structure, learn how you, too, can be strategic with multiple PACs and increase receipts.
Michael Gilhooly
Director, State Political Affairs
Property Casualty Insurers Association of America
Leslie Ward
Senior Vice President, External Affairs
AT&T
D2: Breaking Geographic Boundaries (new)
Having employees in several states can add yet another barrier to getting your PAC campaign off the ground. Learn how PACs are using video and webcasts to overcome geographic limits. You can apply peers' tips and cautionary tales to your own program's challenges.
Irica Solomon
Director, Political Affairs
National Apartment Association
Tracy H. Winn
Manager, Public Affairs
WellPoint, Inc.
D3: Fundraising with Less (new)
PACs increasingly rely on fellow employees for fundraising. Hear how your peers are including employees from marketing, payroll, human resources and membership departments. Discuss how to recruit other employees in your organization to raise money this election year and share strategies for getting non-committal departments engaged.
Christine Craig
PAC Manager
Direct Supply, Inc.
Sandra Guenther
Staff Associate, Governmental Affairs
American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
5:45 p.m.
Resource Marketplace & Networking Reception
This is the only place PAC managers can be in the same room with industry-leading providers of technology and PAC management services. Hear the latest advances that will provide significant R.O.I. for your PAC.
Participating Exhibitors Include:
720 Strategies
Aristotle
Coalescent
Comerica Bank
DDC Advocacy
ThePACStore.com
Political Action Committee Services LLC
Public Affairs Support Services
The Soft Edge, Inc.
Stakeholder, Inc.
State & Federal Communications, Inc.
Vocus, Inc.
Tuesday, February 23
8:00 a.m.
Networking Breakfast
8:30 a.m.
General Session
Generously Sponsored By: Public Affairs Support Services
Modern Campaigns: Preparing PACs for the Future (new)
Two leading Republican and Democratic strategists take a break from frequent appearances on "The Today Show," MSNBC, CNN and the Fox News Channel to discuss where campaigns are going and how PACs fit in.
Michael Gula
Co-Founder
The Gula Graham Group
Steve McMahon
Co-Founder & Partner
Purple Strategies, LLC
www.pactrack.net
9:30 a.m.
Break
9:45 a.m.
Discussion Groups
Share tips and challenges in this interactive forum with similar-sized PACs. Choose a discussion group based on your 2009 PAC receipts.
- Corporate PACs w/ receipts under $100,000
- Corporate PACs w/ receipts $100K - $499,999
- Corporate PACs w/ receipts $500K - $999,999
- Corporate PACs w/ receipts over $1,000,000
- Association PACs w/ receipts under $250,000
- Association PACs w/ receipts over $250,000
10:45 a.m.
Break
11:15 a.m.
Concurrent Fundraising Workshops E
E1: Smart Spending Strategies (new)
You've raised what's needed to sustain your PAC, but fundraising is only the beginning. How do you decide the most effective way to spend your funds? Learn from an established PAC what new tools can help you systematically manage disbursements, especially when requests are climbing.
Larry Duncan
Vice President, Federal and State Government Relations & PAC Affairs
Lockheed Martin Corp.
Megan King
Project & Issues Coordinator
McDonald's Corporation
E2: Connecting Campaigns with Internal Culture (new)
There are advantages to straightforward, themed campaigns. But it could be that member stories and testimonials better capture your audience's attention. We'll examine the pros and cons of themed and personal connection campaigns and explore tailored messaging that elicits response from members and employees.
Grant Anderson
NATCA National Legislative Committee
National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Elizabeth Jensen Castro
Director, Civic Affairs
BP America Inc.
E3: Association Events and Conventions with Sustaining Impact (new)
Many associations rely on just a few events to raise the bulk of their PAC funds. Hear how these PAC managers generate impressive receipts with creative events and fun activities. You will also have an opportunity to exchange success stories with your peers.
Shari Dexter
AANA Political Affairs Manager
American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
Angela Song
PAC Administrator
American Nurses Association
12:30 p.m.
Boxed Lunch/Mentor Meet-Up
6:00 p.m.
Networking Reception
Generously Sponsored By: 720 Strategies
Reconvene with new and old friends during this evening reception.
www.720strategies.com
Wednesday, February 24
8:00 a.m.
Networking Breakfast
8:30 a.m.
General Session
Generously Sponsored By: Political Action Committee Services LLC
Hear Me Out: Building Persuasive Arguments
How do you combine fact, reason and sound argument to sway opinion? There are proven scientific approaches to persuasion. Learn what they are, explore techniques for shaping perception and discuss how to incorporate all of this into PAC fundraising.
John Davies
Chairman & CEO
Davies Public Affairs
www.pacservices.com
9:45 a.m.
Break
10:00 a.m.
Senior Level Workshop I: Build an Effective Solicitation Campaign
Spend the morning applying the lessons you've learned about persuasive argumentation with this simulated PAC fundraising challenge. Working with your peers, develop a PAC communications and messaging strategy, solicitation plan and recognition approach.
Junior Level Workshop I: Interactive PAC Challenge
We will give you various scenarios to help you apply the lessons you've learned throughout the conference. What's the best way to use volunteers in fundraising? How can you prioritize requests from candidates? If you've never before encountered such challenges, you'll be armed with a plan for the future.
11:00 a.m.
Senior Level Workshop II: Mock Presentation and Advanced Peer Critique
Present your persuasive PAC strategy and let senior-level professionals critique it. The insights you gain will help move your 2010 PAC plans to a new level.
Junior Level Workshop II: Setting Yourself Up for Advancement
You've heard what's working at top PACs across the country. You've solved PAC challenges and acquired new skills for a changing environment. Before you leave, hear from a seasoned expert how to surpass professional expectations and remain an asset to your organization.
Noon
Adjournment
PAC/Campaign Finance 
