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National PAC Conference

February 23 – 26, 2025 | JW Marriott, Austin, TX.

The most comprehensive program available for PAC professionals

The PAC Conference combines essential skills training with cutting-edge sessions on fundraising, political strategy, communications and compliance. In such a niche profession, having a community to troubleshoot challenges and share successes with is vital. With over 300 PAC professionals in attendance, you’ll find your people here.

Learn More

Who should attend?

  • PAC professionals looking to explore new trends and the best ways to raise money, stay compliant and be strategic in the use of PAC funds
  • Compliance staff charged with making sure the PAC follows all rules and regulations
  • Grassroots and advocacy staff interested in how PAC strategy fits in with their efforts
  • Senior public affairs executives who direct political and legislative programs
  • PAC board members or champions seeking training and motivation
  • Legal counsel looking for a stronger understanding of the unique issues facing PACs
  • Lobbyists trying to find ways that the PAC can support their efforts
  • Human resources, finance or marketing staff who have PAC-related responsibilities
  • Corporations or associations looking to launch a new PAC 

What sets this conference apart from others?

As the professional association for the field, our mission is to advance the field of public affairs and to provide tools and resources that enable public affairs executives and managers to achieve their business and professional goals. To that end, we offer practical conference sessions that are led by leading practitioners in the field, ample opportunities for networking, and exchange of resource materials. In addition, we offer an unbiased perspective to help you to maximize the effectiveness of your program.

Hotel / Travel

JW Marriott Austin
110 E 2nd St
Austin, TX 78701

Hotel Room Reservations

CONFERENCE LOCATION

JW Marriott Austin
110 E 2nd St
Austin, TX 78701

GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING GROUP ROOM BLOCKS

Once the rooming block is full or after the cut-off date (whichever comes first), you may not be able to obtain the Public Affairs Council group rate or a room at the conference hotel. Therefore, we recommend that you book a room as early as possible.

Also please note that the room rate is only valid for the nights of the conference (check-in taking place on the first advertised day of the conference and check-out on the final day.) Some hotels have been known to honor the room rate on the few days before and after our events, but please be aware that it is not guaranteed and that the room rate may be different.

SCAM ALERT

Please beware of SCAMS. The Council does NOT work with any third parties or intermediaries for booking reservations for our group room blocks. You will ALWAYS be instructed to book directly with the hotel for any Public Affairs Council conferences. Though you may receive reminders to book your hotel room and warning/notices as we get closer to our hotel cut-off date, those e-mails will always come from a pac.org e-mail address and no one will ever call you soliciting reservations or credit card information.

RESERVATIONS & HOTEL RESERVATION POLICIES

A credit card number or one night’s deposit is required to secure a room. Cancellations must be received 48 hours prior to arrival or one night’s room and tax will be charged as a cancellation fee.

JW Marriott Austin
110 E 2nd St
Austin, TX 78701
Reservations: Reserve Online / 1-888-236-2427 (when calling, reference “Public Affairs Council” or “PAC Conference” to secure the group rate)
Room Rate: $319++ per night
Cut-off date: January 31
Check-in: 3 p.m.
Check-out: 11 a.m.

Getting Here

PARKING
The rates listed below are subject to change by the hotel without prior notice.

  • Onsite parking: $54+ daily
  • Valet parking: $59-69+ daily

AIRPORTS
The closest and most convenient airport to the hotel is the Austin Bergstrom International Airport which is ~8 miles from the hotel. Estimated taxi fare from the airport to the hotel is ~$35 one way. Please visit the hotel’s website here for more information.

  • Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS): 9 miles; 15 min drive
  • San Antonio International Airport (SAT): 73 miles; 1 hour 19 min drive

2025 Speakers Coming Soon!

Outstanding PAC Awards

These awards, presented at the National PAC Conference, recognize outstanding initiatives that showcase creativity and effectiveness in promoting increased financial or member engagement in the PAC.

Learn More

Outstanding PAC Award Winners

2024 Outstanding PAC Award Winners:
Association Winner: Title Insurance Political Action Committee (TIPAC)
Corporate Winner: Walmart PAC (WALPAC)

2023 Outstanding PAC Award Winners:
Association Winner: Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association PAC (OCWGA-PAC)
Corporate Winner: Home Depot PAC

2022 Outstanding PAC Award Winners:
Association Winner: American Academy of Ophthalmology (OPHTHPAC)
Corporate Winner: Sempra (SEEPAC)

Testimonials

“The conference is an excellent opportunity to learn about best practices from colleagues in the industry and spur new ideas that can be replicated in your own company.”
— Monica Mueller, vice president, government affairs, Motorola Solutions Inc. 

“The conference has an impressive lineup of speakers to address contemporary topics as well as timely subjects that highlight challenges we are all facing. Participants are able to connect and gain knowledge to advance their PAC and be aware of what is happening in the PAC community.”
— Bridget Sewell, assistant vice president, political engagement & PAC, American Property Casualty Insurance Association

“Attending the PAC Conference is one of the best ways for me to meet other PAC professionals and find out what the latest techniques in fundraising are. Since I don’t sit in Washington, D.C., it is vitally important for me to have the chance to network and hear the newest trends to make sure my fundraising campaigns don’t fall behind the times.”
— Joanne Woodward, JDPAC administrator, John Deere

“Each session I attended had at least one takeaway I felt I could use in my program.”
– June Pennell, PAC manager, The Williams Companies, Inc.

2025 Advisory Committee

Adrienne Marks, Visa Inc.

Alyssa Clevenger, ICSC

Amanda Crump, Deloitte LLP

Amie H. Adams, Dunn Associates

Angela M. Chiappetta, Squared Communications

Anthony Perez, Association for Clinical Oncology

Ashley Cravens, Illinois Farm Bureau

Ashley Fox, AmeriHealth Caritas

Barry Burkart, Wyoming Hospital Association

Betsy Tower, GE Healthcare

Bobbie Clinton, Jacobs Technology

Caitlin Demchuk, Walgreens Boots Alliance

Caitlin Donahue, Seven Star Strategies

Carol A. Laham, Wiley Rein LLP

Christina M. Perez, Huntington Ingalls Industries

Christina Meyer-Garfinkle, Wakefern Food Corporation

Claire McDonough, Sagac Public Affairs

Conor Noonan, American Veterinary Medical Association

Dakota Jackson, SHEIN

Daniel O’Brien, Fidelity Investments

Danielle Branch, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Elizabeth Bartz, State and Federal Communications, Inc.

Elizabeth Demorest, American Academy of Dermatology Association

Ellen Locke, UnitedHealth Group

Ellie A. Shaw, American Express Company

Eric Blackwell, NRG Energy, Inc.

Erica Sander, Aristotle International

Erik Koeppen, Northrop Grumman Corporation

Gary S. Whidby, Caterpillar Inc.

Haley Brown, The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

Jamie Bell, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP

Jason McGonigle, Public Affairs Support Services

Jennifer S. Pugh, American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC)

Jennifer Wright, Booz Allen Hamilton

Jessica Cardenas, National Electrical Contractors Association, Inc.

Jessica Hamilton, Airbus Group

Jill Johnson, Prudential Financial, Inc.

John D. Mason, Altria Client Services Inc.

Kara Stewart, Bristol-Myers Squibb

Kelly Eaton, Aristotle International

Kerry Elizabeth Donnelly, Regions Bank

Kevin Cameron, American Land Title Association ALTA

Laura Davis, Bristol-Myers Squibb

Lauren Alejandro, Caterpillar Inc.

Lauren Alejandro, Caterpillar Inc.

Lisa Strikowsky Gillman, T-Mobile

Mark Reilly, Quorum

Matt Longacre, Conference of State Bank Supervisors

Melissa Miles, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom

Mica Hider, International Fresh Produce Association

Michael E. Giblin, American Medical Association

Mike Sistak, American Farm Bureau Federation

Mina Patel, Tyson Foods, Inc.

Morgan Hendon, Trinity Industries, Inc.

Nicole Woodruff, Altria Client Services LLC

Rebecca Jami, REAL Strategies

Riley Quinlan, Republic Services, Inc.

Shari Dexter, American Hospital Association

Shawn P. Sullivan, Peraton Inc.

Shawn R Danner, State Farm Insurance Companies

Stephen Wojnaroski, Highmark Inc.

Wendy Feik Pinkerton, Zoetis

Sponsorship

Put your brand front and center at the National PAC Conference. As a sponsor, you’ll have the opportunity to network with peers, reinforce existing relationships and develop new partnerships. Speaking and branded collateral opportunities are available.

Becoming a sponsor is simple:

1. Download the sponsor packet and review our offerings
2. Fill out the form to indicate your selections
3. Email your form back to us

Cancellation Policy

February 2 – Cancellation deadline for full refund

February 19 – No refunds or credits will be granted on or after this date

Please visit our Conference Policies page for a full breakdown.

This conference is eligible for: 6 PAC credits towards the Certificate in PAC & Grassroots Management, 6 credits towards the Certificate in Government Relations and Lobbying and 6 Elective credits toward the Certificate in Public Affairs Management.

Register

By January 16 – early-bird price
Members: $1,599 | Non-Members: $1,799

After January 16
Members: $1,899 | Non-Members: $2,099

More Registration Info

** As a Signature Event, this program is not included in Membership Plus.

Additional discounts may apply to this meeting. These discounts may include:

For multiple registrants: A discount will apply to the standard member/nonmember rate for organizations that register two or more participants for the same meeting. The first registrant will pay full price, the second participant will receive a 10% discount and each additional registrant will receive a 15% discount. To register multiple participants, you may either register online or download the print and fax registration form.

Member discounts: Discounts for members are applied to all Public Affairs Council meetings.

Nonmembers: Join the Council today, and save by registering at the member rate and using the $200 new-member coupon you will receive. Contact our membership team for information about joining the Council.

Questions? Contact us at 202.787.5950.

February 2 – Cancellation deadline for full refund

February 19 – No refunds or credits will be granted on or after this date

Please visit our Conference Policies page for a full breakdown.

Questions

Victoria Ellington
Senior Manager, Political Engagement
202.787.5975 | [email protected]