Local man takes over GOP conference

Charlie Davis, a resident of Baton Rouge and founder of Liquid Ventures, has stepped down as deputy director of the Louisiana Republican Party and is moving on to greener GOP pastures. He is now the president and CEO of the Republican Leadership Conference and Reagan Centennial Celebration. Last year it was billed as the “Southern” Republican Leadership Conference, but it pulled in big conservative names from all around the country, like Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich, Sean Hannity and, of course, Gov. Bobby Jindal. Davis says this year’s event will be even bigger—hence the name change—and he’s billing it as the “most prominent national GOP gathering until the 2012 convention.” National media spots, book signings, speeches and Louisiana-style parties are all on tap for the New Orleans-based conference, which is scheduled for June 16-18. “I’m expecting an even larger crowd this year,” Davis says. “The response so far has been pretty incredible.” Most of the speakers from 2010 are being asked back, and a slew of new politicians are being asked to join in, including Michele Bachmann, Mike Huckabee, Rand Paul, Mitt Romney and Marco Rubio. The weekend will also play host to a variety of happenings to celebrate the 100th birthday of former President Ronald Reagan. For more, visit rlc2011.com and ronaldreagan.com. —Jeremy Alford