[via email]

IMPORTANT CONFERENCE UPDATE

Here is the status of the dates of the Legislative forum/workshop and the 2006 Bloggers Conference:

We have decided to move the conference to FRIDAY, JANUARY 6th, 2005 and SATURDAY, JANUARY 7th, 2005. We realize that not everyone will be able to make the conference with the change in date, and we apologize. However, in the poll we took last week, a majority indicated that they would be able to make the 6th and the 7th. If you can't come, we'll let you know how it went and send you some materials from the event.

As we mentioned in the letter that went out with the poll, the Communications Directors of the House and Senate Dems, our primary contacts here, were clear that the 6th would be the best date for getting Legislators. Staff, including the governor's staff, are just as likely to come any of the dates we choose. That's the main reason why we decided to move the date. Also, holding the conference earlier is more advantageous if we want to work together during the session.

The program for the Forum/Workshop is still being finalized and we welcome input. As of now, it will probably be half forum and half workshop. The first hour will probably be a forum with bloggers and the occasional legislator/staffer discussing the role of the blogosphere and how we can and have assisted our Democratic legislators. The second hour will probably be a workshop with discussion groups of legislators, staffers and blog writers in different interest groups sharing ideas and then reporting back to the full group. The forum/workshop will be followed by a reception for all participants nearby.

We'll have more details shortly about accommodations. We are very excited about this event and we're looking forward to seeing those of you who can make it to Olympia there in a few weeks!

Andrew Villeneuve and Lynn Allen (on behalf of the Planning Committee)