Frequently Asked Questions
2011 RLC National Convention
<< Back to the Main RLC 2011 Convention Page
This page is under construction.
Index of Questions:
• What is the point of holding this Convention?
• Who will attend the Convention?
• What are the pricing options for the Convention?
• Isn’t CPAC taking place on February 12?
• I’m arriving in town early. Is there anything for me to do?
• Where is the Convention taking place?
• Does the discounted hotel rate only apply to certain nights?
• The hotel price is too expensive. Are there other places I can stay?
• How do I get to the Convention?
• What is on the lunch and dinner menu?
• How much money should I bring? Where can I eat breakfast?
• How long should I stay in the DC area?
• What can I do in the DC area?
• Are you providing honorariums for your speakers?
• What topics will the Convention touch upon?
• My business or organization wants to sponsor the Convention. Can we?
• I want to run for a RLC Officer/Board position. What do I do?
What is the point of holding this Convention?
Every other year since 1992, the Republican Liberty Caucus has hosted its National Convention. 2011 is no different. The purposes of the 2011 RLC National Convention are multi-fold:
1) It is required by our by-laws that we hold our National Convention every two years to elect officers (please visit the Convention Business portion of our website);
2) We hope to provide training to our members so they are more effective in the states;
3) We want to come together with like-minded people to socialize and discuss strategy;
4) We hope to hear from the best and brightest in the liberty movement;
5) We hope to develop a strategy to achieve many more concrete victories for liberty via electoral politics; and
6) The Republican Party can be steered in the right direction by RLC members.
Who will attend the Convention?
We currently have delegates from 30 states including California, Connecticut, Colorado, Delaware, DC, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Anyone who wishes to attend should strongly consider registering today! We expect to attract between 150 and 200 grassroots activists, RLC delegates, and other interested parties from all across the country. This will be the largest gathering of liberty Republicans in the country.
What are the pricing options for the Convention?
Convention early bird registration ends after December 15. Those registering after February 1 are considered late registrants and will end up paying more than those who registered earlier. Click here to register.
• The full package — two meals and all events — is $135;
• The events package — no meals and all events — is $70.
• The couple option (party of two) for the full package is $200 and for the events package is $120;
• The student package — which includes lunch but not dinner — is $50;
• To attend the luncheon only, the cost is $35 for a party of one or $56 for a party of two;
• To attend the banquet dinner only, the cost is $75 for a party of one or $120 for a party of two;
• If you’re only planning to attend the Business Session, you must be a RLC member to considered a voting member. The Business Session is free of charge.
You may also stay at the hotel for $99/night up until January 13, at which time the RLC group rate discount expires.
Isn’t CPAC taking place on February 12?
CPAC will occur from Thursday, February 10 to Saturday, February 12 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, DC. Click here for directions from the CPAC location to our Convention location. (The metro station closest to CPAC is the red line’s Woodley Park/Zoo/Adams Morgan and the metro station closest to our event is the orange line’s Ballston station.)
Typically there isn’t much taking place on CPAC Saturday. We thought many prospective RLC Convention attendees would already be in town for CPAC, so holding our event at this time would increase interest and turnout for our Convention. The RLC is also planning to host a booth at CPAC. Click here for details on our CPAC outreach efforts.
I am arriving in town early. Is there anything for me to do?
CPAC is taking place from February 10-12. Learn more here. On Friday night, there will be assorted happy hours and events in the DC area as a result of CPAC so the RLC is not planning to host a welcome reception. We will provide a listing of events taking place on Friday night. The Republican Liberty Caucus of Virginia is planning to host a happy hour reception at or near the hotel on Saturday night, after the RLC Convention. Stay tuned or contact George Primbs for details.
Where is the RLC National Convention taking place?
The second floor of the Hilton Hotel in Arlington, Virginia’s Ballston neighborhood. The hotel address is 950 North Stafford Street, Arlington, Virginia 22203. Learn more about the hotel here and book a night in the hotel with the RLC’s discounted $99/night rate by clicking here. Please note that the RLC group rate discount will expire on January 13, 2011.
Does the $99/night hotel rate only apply to Friday and Saturday nights?
The $99 RLC Convention Registration group rate at the hotel applies for Friday and Saturday nights. However, the hotel could potentially Unfortunately, the group rate expires on January 12. Guests who want to stay on other nights with the same room rate. You may call the hotel at (703) 528-6000 to inquire.
The hotel price is too expensive. Are there other places I can stay?
Hotels on the metro line will be more expensive. Those include:
• Comfort Inn-Ballston: 1211 N. Glebe Rd., Arlington, VA. Phone: (703) 247-3399
• Holiday Inn Arlington-Ballston: 4610 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA. Phone: (703) 243-9800
• Hilton Garden Inn Arlington/courthouse Plaza: 1333 Courthouse Road, Arlington, VA. Phone: (703) 528-4444
Other less expensive options — locations not on the metro and about 10 minutes away — include:
• Econo Lodge Metro: 6800 Lee Hwy., Arlington, VA. Phone: (703) 538-5300
• TownePlace Suites Falls Church: 205 Hillwood Ave., Falls Church, VA. Phone: (703) 237-6172
• Comfort Inn Arlington Boulevard / DC Gateway: 6111 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church, VA. Phone: (703) 534-9100
Let us know if you are having trouble finding a hotel that fits your needs.
How do I get to the Convention?
We suggest taking either a cab or the metrorail system from the DCA Airport (Reagan National) to our Convention location. If using metro, take the blue line to Rosslyn station. Transfer to the orange line in the direction of Vienna. Exit at Ballston station. Once you walk up the escalator at Ballston, keep going straight into the building in front of you. Once inside, go right, then left into the hotel.
If you’re traveling from Washington, DC using metrorail, take the red line train to metro center, transfer to the orange line in the direction of Vienna, exit at Ballston and follow the instructions above. You can also take a taxi cab.
If you’re traveling from the Dulles Airport (your most expensive option to physically reach the Convention), we recommend taking a cab either to the metro (Vienna) and metroing to Ballston or taking a cab directly to the hotel. If you want to use metro, you can take the Vienna metro to the Ballston station on the orange line in the direction of New Carrolton. Also, check out Dave Nalle’s article on air fares to and from the Convention.
Find the hotel on a map. Find the metrorail station Ballston to locate the hotel on the metro map.
What is on the lunch and dinner menu?
The lunch menu will include a choice of sandwich (chicken caesar, turkey, veggie), chips, fresh fruit, a cookie, and a soft drink. The dinner menu will include your choice of garlic roasted chicken or cedar plank roasted salmon along with a classic caesar salad and praline cheesecake. A vegetarian option will be available as well. Drink choices will include freshly brewed coffee, iced tea, or water. Alcohol will be available at the special reception after 9pm.
How much money should I bring? Where can I eat breakfast?
You will need to pay for breakfast Saturday morning and for transportation to get to the Convention and back home. Of course, that doesn’t include a place to stay or the cost of registering for the Convention. Additionally, there are many things to do in the DC area you may want to take advantage of. The hotel has a restaurant where you can eat breakfast. Additionally, there is an IHOP and a Starbucks less than a block from the hotel, as well as the Ballston Mall Food Court. Ask the front desk of the hotel for directions to the mall, the Starbucks, or the IHOP.
How long should I stay in the DC area?
It’s entirely up to you!
We recommend, at the very least, that you leave your destination for the DC metro area on Friday morning so you’re not too tired come Saturday.
There are several options for travel: 1) You could attend CPAC on Thursday/Friday and then attend the Convention on Saturday; 2) You could come early- or mid-week and stay until Sunday, using the extra time to tour the DC metro area; or 3) You could leave Friday morning or afternoon, arrive in the evening, attend the Convention, and head home on Sunday.
There is so much to see and do in Washington, DC that you can’t see it all in just one visit. We recommend going to the Smithsonian Museums, the Holocaust Memorial Museum, and the Jefferson Memorial. You could also see a concert at the Kennedy Center, take a walk through Georgetown or Old Town Alexandria, or explore Mt. Vernon. The websites Cultural Tourism DC, 100 Nearly Free Things to Do in DC and Things to Do DC will also help you decide.
Are you providing honorariums to your speakers?
Not at this time. As a grassroots, member-supported organization, our funds are limited. Our speakers are participating because they believe in the message of liberty. Those who wish to profit from the powerful message of liberty are not likely to attend a grassroots, member-led Convention such as ours.
What topics will the Convention touch upon?
Libertarianism, the U.S. Constitution, the Tea Party, Foreign Policy, Civil Liberties, Personal Privacy, Spending, the Economy, the War on Drugs, Campaigns, Elections, Term Limits, Electoral Reforms, and much more.
Can my organization or business participate in the Convention?
Yes! Sponsorship opportunities are available to individuals, organizations, and businesses.
I want to run for an officer or board position on the National Committee. What do I do?
Great! We provide details on what positions are available. Just let us know. Our Convention Business page has details on who is running for what position.
