CPAC, conservatives' big annual event, moves to Florida over COVID closures around D.C.

The annual CPAC meeting, considered perhaps the biggest yearly event for conservatives, is moving its 2021 gathering from the nation’s capital to Florida, as a result of the coronavirus.

The announcement was made late Tuesday by Matt Schlapp, chairman of the American Conservative Union, which oversees the Conservative Political Action Committee and the annual event. 

In an email to supporters, Schlapp said the event was moved because the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, where the event has been held for the past several years, remains closed amid the pandemic. 

“So we looked for alternatives to host an equally impactful and exciting CPAC,” Schlepp. He also wrote that Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis “has promised not to shut down the economy in Florida so we feel that having CPAC there will ensure the best possible opportunity to have a great CPAC.”

The event will be held from Feb. 25-28 in Orlando. It is considered a must stop for many Republicans running for elected office and looking for support from the party’s conservative base. President Trump cancelled his appearance during his 2016 presidential bid, choosing instead to campaign in Kansas.