The document summarizes the opening of the 2009 AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington D.C. Over 6,000 pro-Israel activists attended the largest gathering of the year. The theme was "Relationships Matter" and sessions highlighted the importance of relationships in strengthening the US-Israel alliance. A diverse range of people from different backgrounds attended, including students, rabbis, Christians, and international delegates.

1. Today’s Headliners: Kenneth Flowers, Antonio Villaraigosa, Newt Gingrich, Howard Kohr
See your program for full speaker list.
AIPAC Policy Conference Daily Newsletter May 3, 2009
Relationships Matter PC Trivia
Policy Conference 2009 Opens in Washington, D.C. Policy Conference 2009 is the
second largest Policy Conference
The stage is set, the lights are on and in AIPAC history. The first AIPAC
the doors are open. More than 6,000 Policy Conference, held in 1960,
pro-Israel activists will fill the halls of had only 20 delegates.
the Washington Convention Center
today for the start of AIPAC Policy The number of people traveling
Conference 2009. to Washington for the
The theme of this year’s conference conference has doubled over
is “Relationships Matter.” Conference
the last five years. For more
programming will highlight the
than one-third of community
importance of individual relationships
in strengthening the U.S.-Israel delegates, this is their first-ever
alliance—friendships between Policy Conference.
presidents and prime ministers,
between members of Congress and BizBash magazine ranked Policy
their constituents and between Conference as number eight in
candidates and their supporters. a list of the top political and
“Policy Conference is the most press events in Washington. The
important gathering of the year for the list was competitive: Number
pro-Israel community,” said AIPAC one was the State of the Union
President David Victor. “Our activists address.
come to Washington to interact with
their peers and form relationships that
will last a lifetime.”
Policy Conference plenary
sessions ill feature the inspiring
w
stories of AIPAC activists who have
formed close relationships with
Hassle Free
their members of Congress. From Quick Stop Kiosks
sharing Shabbat dinners and Passover Simplify Conference
Seders, to traveling to Israel together
and studying the Jewish state up More than 6,000 delegates from all 50 states are attending AIPAC Policy Conference 2009. At the new Quick Stop Kiosks
close, these activists have formed located throughout the convention
relationships that affect the future of for cancer; software engineers are to affect the future of the U.S.-Israel center, conducting some of the most
the United States and Israel. working around the clock to build new relationship. You never know what important AIPAC transactions is now
But it’s not just relationships with programs; mayors are strengthening can develop from a simple “hello.” fast, easy and paper-free.
policymakers that matter. Over the ties between sister cities; and naval Initiate a conversation with the people To get started, scan the bar code
next three days, conference delegates officers in the Mediterranean are sitting next to you, introduce yourself on your name tag, and the computer
will have the opportunity to learn how sharing intelligence in order to improve to an AIPAC staffer and exchange will retrieve your information, just
Americans and Israelis from all walks maritime security. These kinds of business cards before moving on to like an e-ticket counter at an airport.
of life are working together every day relationships—the ones that don’t your next session. If you have changed your mind
to make the world a better place. always make headlines—form the Relationships matter. For about the breakout sessions you signed
Inventors from both countries backbone of the U.S.-Israel alliance. the next three days, let up for before the conference, you can
are teaming up to develop electric Here, too, at Policy Conference, AIPAC show you choose new sessions. Or, if you didn’t
cars; doctors are researching cures every new friendship has the potential just how much. personalize your program at all, you
can still register for the sessions that
New and Improved!
Featuring “Foremost Fresh,”
a new line of all-natural, freshly prepared
Behind
the Scenes
kosher meals and snacks Policy Conference set-up begins
also seen at Whole Foods Markets. many days before delegates arrive.
Crews work around the clock to
build the stage and install lighting,
speakers, giant screens and more. Quick Stop Kiosks can be found throughout the
By the time doors open to the convention center.
public, the camera crew is in place, sound most interesting to you. When
and the director is in her chair, you have finished with your selections,
ready to start the show. a new personalized program will print.
In addition, you can register now
for AIPAC Policy Conference 2010,
Under Supervision of the Vaad of Washington
which will be held March 21-23. Pay
by credit card at the kiosk by Tuesday
afternoon and save 50 percent off the
standard registration rate. (If you are a
Located in the Capitol Club member, you can sign up
3rd Floor Ballroom for the 2009 AIPAC National Summit,
which will be held October 18-19 at
OPEN: La Costa Resort and Spa in San Diego,
Sunday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. California)
Monday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. And finally, the Quick Stop Kiosks
also enable you to check your AIPAC
er Halls D/E are covered with 110,000 square feet To block external light from halls D/E, 4,000 linear
Dinn ! giving history, pay an open balance
Too of carpet. feet of drape were hung around the room.
and make a new pledge.
A L L N E W M E N U

2. Who’s Here? Heard
in the
Policy Conference Draws Diverse Crowd
Take a look around the Washington
Convention Center during the next
HALLS
three days and you’ll see that the
pro-Israel movement in the United
States is growing more diverse each
year. Jews and non-Jews, religious
and secular, African Americans and
Latinos—all of them are here to
show their support for a strong U.S.-
Israel relationship. AIPAC is a
At a breakout session this
afternoon called “Emerging Alliance,”
leader in organizing
three African American leaders—a faith-based communities
pastor, a businessman and a civil across the country
rights icon—will explain how African
Americans and Jews can unite around to strengthen the
their common love of Israel. relationship between the
In addition, 49 pastors are
attending the conference, which
United States and Israel.”
for the third year in a row features — Rabbi Greg Harris
programming specifically designed
Congregation Beth El
Bethesda, MD
for Christian supporters of the Jewish
state. Tomorrow, a panel discussion
called “Faithful Allies: What
Motivates Pro-Israel Christians”
AIPAC Policy Conference delegates rest their feet after checking in yesterday afternoon.
will examine the roots of Christian more than 100 pro-Israel activists from
Zionism. Europe, Turkey, Canada, Australia,
Nearly 200 rabbis and cantors New Zealand and Central America.
from across the United States are also These delegates from abroad
in attendance. They will be treated will participate in the International When I attend
to a special track of programming Visitors Program, a track of forums Policy Conference, I
that includes a lunch with renowned and training sessions designed to
historian Dr. Michael Oren and other help international guests hone their
feel so much better
networking opportunities. ability to advocate for strong relations prepared to discuss
Renee and Gerald Gerger of West Bloomfield, And for the fifth year in a row, between their home countries and Israel and the Middle
Michigan, read their Policy Conference programs. the Policy Conference is welcoming Israel.
East with my friends
back home.”
Who will advocate
for a strong U.S.–Israel
CAMPUS
— Jan Rubenstein
Sugar Land, TX
Corner
relationship a generation Student Activists
from now? Turn Out in Force
On many campuses around the exceptional pro-Israel students
With your legacy gift, country, May 3-5 is right in the and campus professionals.
middle of final exams. But more than Other student-specific
AIPAC will. 1,000 students from all 50 states and events include a lunch forum bringing
the District of Columbia, including together African American student
193 Student Government Association activists and community leaders; a I’ve been coming
B E C O M E A N A I PA C
(SGA) presidents and 200 high- campus leadership dinner with College to Policy Conference
school students, are refusing to let a Democrats, College Republicans and
since I was a student,
Partner for few tests get in the way of PC 2009.
Indeed, they have turned out in force.
SGA presidents and a reception for
high-school delegates. The student and I plan on coming
Tomorrow
The 193 SGA presidents track also features networking
attending are a record high number, opportunities for AIPAC 2009
here every year.
and they are the largest known Diamond Summer Interns, students AIPAC’s work is so
For information about gathering of student elected officials selected as 2009 Friedman Scholars important to me.”
becoming a Partner for on any issue this year. The presidents and participants in AIPAC’s upcoming
— Michael Actman
Tomorrow by making a hail from an eclectic array of Campus Allies Mission to Israel. Phoenix, AZ
campuses, including Northwestern, PC delegates interested in
planned gift to The AIPAC
UC San Diego, Tufts, Vanderbilt, learning more about pro-Israel
Tomorrow Campaign, visit Brigham Young, Florida International activism on campus can attend
the Legacy Lounge in West and Morehouse College. a breakout session at 1:30
Registration or contact In addition to joining p.m. called “Israel on Campus:
AIPAC’s Endowment Director community delegates for plenaries, Tomorrow’s Leaders Nurture the
Jodi Kurtis at breakout sessions and the Gala U.S.-Israel Alliance.” A diverse
Banquet, students will participate panel of students will join AIPAC’s
jkurtis@aipac.org or
in a variety of specialized sessions. leadership development director
call (240) 888-2904. One highlight is the AIPAC Campus to talk about their experiences on
Awards Ceremony, which honors campus. We had never
heard of AIPAC when
we got invited to
PC, but now we are
A will is powerful… put AIPAC in yours.
excited to experience
the conference and tell
all our friends what
we learned.”
— Nicole Parra-Perez and
Georgianne Brown
Co-Presidents,New Mexico
Highlands University
Campus delegates DeAndre Pickett (far right) and Jamarr Brown (second from right) check in for PC 2009.