Do you know the meaning of CPAC? This article will provide you with all the information on CPAC, from its definition to its usage and more.
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Kevin
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January 23, 2022
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What Does CPAC Stand for?
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According to The Free Dictionary, the acronym CPAC stands for the Conservative Political Action Conference. This is an annual political conference attended by conservative elected officials and conservative activists from all sides of the United States and beyond.
The First CPAC
The first CPAC took place in 1974. The committee was founded by the Young Americans for Freedom and the ACU, who dedicated themselves to the conservatives of the country. Former President and then California Governor Ronald Reagan gave the inaugural keynote address to an audience of approximatelyly 400 people after the committee’s founding.
The American Conservative Union currently serves as the host for the CPAC or Conservative Political Action Conference.
As stated on their website, the CPAC is the third-ranked Press and Political event of the year, followed by the White house Correspondents’ Dinner and the State of the Union. Annually, CPAC is able to showcase its ability to be at the center of the news media, all the while bringing together and energizing over eighteen thousand individuals.
While the exact date varies from year to year (especially during recent times with the COVID-19 pandemic), the CPAC is typically held in July, February or March.
Who Attends the CPAC?
These CPAC attendees come from all walks of life. Attendees include elected officials, politicians (from both the republican party — or GOP — as well as the democratic party), conservative organizations, thought leaders, grassroots activists, media personalities, and educational institutions. These groups and individuals all fight for conservatism in America and abroad.
What Happens During the CPAC?
The CPAC straw poll held annually serves for most in the conservative party as a barometer for the feelings of the conservative movement as a whole.
CPAC has various speakers who address the current theme of the Conservative Political Action Conference — a theme that varies annually.
During the conference, attendees are asked to fill out various surveys and questionnaires on a wide array of topics and issues, with the primary question or topic generally being the possible presidential candidate.
A key component of the CPAC has always been evaluating the conservative candidates for the upcoming presidential election in the U.S., and the annual straw poll predominantly serves to measure the conservative opinion.
CPAC During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Despite the public health risks involved during the COVD-19 pandemic, CPAC hosted its main event in 2020. An unnamed guest later tested positive for COVD-19 — this was confirmed on Saturday, March 7th, 2020, by the ACU or American Conservatives Union.
Due to their direct contact with this unnamed carrier, Representatives Mark Meadows, Paul Gosar, Doug Collins, Matt Gaetz, and Senator Ted Cruz announced they would self-quarantine and wear masks.
Sacha Baron Cohen at the 2020 CPAC
To add to the narrative of the 2020 CPAC, actor/comedian Sacha Baron Cohen attempted to attend the event dressed as former President Donald Trump. Sacha was able to interrupt the CPAC briefly but was quickly escorted out.
The 2021 CPAC
In 2021, CPAC hosted its main event, intended to be held at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. However, due to the venue’s restrictions issued by Republican Governor Larry Hogan, in an attempt “to curb the spread” limited gathering sizes to a maximum capacity of 10, the CPAC was relocated to Orlando, Florida.
The Orlando venue had removed all its prior pandemic-related limits to gathering sizes. However, the venue was still subject to the mask-wearing mandate of Orlando. The 2021 theme of the conference was “America Uncancelled.” The conference highlighted the alleged attempts by many to censor conservatives’ public communication of their political views.
To wrap up the event, former President Trump gave the closing speech which addressed his defeat and criticized the current President, Joe Biden, as well as the entire Biden administration.
Later that year, a second conference was held in Dallas, Texas from July 9-11 at the Hilton Anatole hotel. The theme of this gathering was immigration policy and border security.
Other Definitions of the Acronym CPAC
While we all now know that CPAC primarily refers to the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, there are many other definitions. Below you will find a list of alternate uses of the acronym provided by The Free Dictionary.
- Canadian Partnership against Cancer
- Corrective and Preventive Action Committee
- Civilian Personnel Advisory Center
- Calgary Pathways and Bikeways Advisory Council
- Cable Public Affairs Channel (Canadian TV station)
- Christian Park Active Community
- Centennial Park Aquatic Center (Orland Park, IL)
- Calgary Performing Arts Centre
- Center for Process Analytical Chemistry
- Cultural Property Advisory Committee (U.S. Department of State)
- Community Policing Advisory Committee (various locations)
- Cryptography – Policy and Algorithms Conference
- Civilian Personnel Administration Center
- Consolidated Patient Account Center (Dept. of Veterans Affairs)
- Cedarburg Performing Arts Center (Cedarburg, WI)
- Center for Process Analysis and Control (consortium; University of Washington)
- Corrosion Prevention and Control (USMC)
- Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee (various locations)
- Central Philippine Adventist College (Bacolod City, Philippines)
- Castle Point Anime Convention (Hoboken, New Jersey, USA)
- Churton Park Anglican Church (New Zealand)
- Copy Protection Advisory Council
- Centro de Pesquisa Agropecuária dos Cerrados (Portugese: Center for Agricultural Research; Brazil)
- CPAC, Inc. (parent company of the Fuller Brush Company and Stanley Home Products)
- Citi Performing Arts Center (Boston, MA)
- Cergy Pontoise Air Club (French flying club)
- Coronado Performing Arts Center (Rockford, IL)
- Chronic Pain Association of Canada
Conclusion
While there are many definitions of the acronym CPAC, it is widely defined as the Conservative Political Action Conference.
While attending the CPAC, you’re likely to encounter some of the biggest names in conservative politics. You may even find political figures such as Mitt Romney and Liz Cheney, as well as some conservative celebrities such as Colonel Allen West posing for photos or signing books. If you’re interested in politics, the CPAC is worth attending at least once, regardless of which party you represent.
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