2003 Missouri Libertarian Party Convention

June 6, 7 and 8 are the dates for “Liberty Liftoff,” the 2003 Missouri Libertarian Convention at the Inn at the Park in St. Louis City.

Featured speakers include:

Michael Tanner

• Daniel Smith, past Affiliate Services director of the national Libertarian Party and current Chair of the St. Louis City LP Central Committee (aka county chair) will welcome Missouri delegates and give the keynote address: \x93Liberty Liftoff!\x94
• Michael Tanner of the Washington DC based libertarian think tank the CATO Institute will speak to the subject of: “Benefits of Privatization”.
• Professor Jim Lark, will share his insights from his experience as outgoing chair of the national Libertarian Party.
• George Getz, Communications director of the national office of the Libertarian Party will be conducting a “How to” for county and state newsletter editors for building county and state membership.
• Glenn Nielsen will have a segment on using the Internet to organize and grow the party.

Bob Sullentrup and Glen Blackmon will be on a panel to discuss local activism such as their participation in “Put St. Charles First” a grass roots organization opposing public funding of a convention center.

A “How to” on operating an Operation Political Homeless Booth will be presented by Steve Schaper. This is arguably the most cost-effective way to find new members.

The 2003 convention has an open invitation to all announced candidates seeking the 2004 nomination for the Libertarian Party. These candidates will each be given a half-hour to address the convention. No candidate will receive a fee or any expenses for attending from the state party or convention organizers. They may purchase meals at our actual cost. As of this writing, the only apparent response has come from candidate Gary Nolan.

The Friday evening social “Come and meet the speakers” is free and open to the public. There will be complimentary hot Hors D’oeuvres for the first 30 attendees.

The following prices are for packages ordered on or before May First.

The Gold package cost is $95 and includes all speakers, workshops and lunch and the banquet on Saturday. ($40 for full time college or high school students)

The Silver package is $50 and is for the Banquet and Banquet speaker only. ($20 for full time college or high school students)

There will be two Bronze packages. The Morning Bronze package will cover all morning speakers and workshops up to and including Saturday Lunch. The afternoon Bronze package will include Lunch and all of the afternoon speakers and workshops. Either Bronze package can be purchased for $45 ($20 for students)

A limited number of full and partial scholarships are available for full time students.

The State Committee meeting proscribed by Missouri Election Law will be on Sunday and is open to all Missouri Libertarian Party members at no charge. Come and help direct the Party.

The Inn at the Park is located at 4630 Lindell Boulevard in St. Louis’ “Central West End” neighborhood. The hotel is one block East of Forest Park. To make room reservations, telephone 314 367-7500. (Note: this hotel has the smallest annual vacancy rate of any hotel in the St. Louis area, so don’t procrastinate)

Like-minded organizations can have a presence at the 2003 Libertarian Convention. Such groups as SACMO, NORML, FIJA, Separation of School and State, Monetary Realists, Advocates for Self Government, Committee for Small Government, Nolan for President and etc. will have an opportunity to rent a booth on the convention floor. The booths will be up and stocked by 5 pm Friday and they will remain up until the final gavel on Sunday. The number of booths is limited to eight and will be sold on a first come, first served basis. The cost is $25 and includes a two-sided 8.5” x 11” insert in the convention program. Members are encouraged to purchase a booth for the use of their favorite single-issue group, candidate & etc.

Over one million Missouri households will receive a 4.25” by 2” display ad in their local paper (196 Newspapers, virtually all of the weekly and daily papers in Missouri) if we receive sufficient donations for the convention earmarked “outreach” The cost of $850 makes this the most aggressive media buy for a convention in MoLP history.

Please make your check or money order payable to: “MoLP Convention” and indicate which package you are buying in the memo field of your check. Mail to MoLP Convention c/o Lisa F. Schaper, 5036 So. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, Mo. 63111-1612 You will receive a receipt, a map to the convention site, and agenda by return mail.

Note: all profit from the convention will go to the Missouri Libertarian Party earmarked for advertising the following 2004 Missouri LP Convention.

In the week preceding the convention, several of our speakers will be interviewed on the radio. Check our Website for times and stations.

Further information regarding additional speakers, workshops, awards, prizes and surprises will be in a separate mailing to the membership.

-30-