The Delta Grassroots Caucus (DGC) is a broad coalition of grassroots leaders in the eight-state Delta region. DGC is also a founding partner of the Economic Equality Caucus,
which advocates for economic equality across the USA.

Deadlines on Oct. 1 and Oct. 9 for Oct. 23-24 Delta Conference in West Memphis

Posted on September 28, 2012 at 01:54 PM

Deadlines are coming up on Oct. 1 and Oct. 9. We have a very strong turnout of 133 attendees now and the number grows every day for the annual fall Delta conference on Oct. 23-24, 2012 at Mid-South Community College in West Memphis, Arkansas.

Space is limited so please register by sending in the registration fees, make reservations at the group hotel–West Memphis Holiday Inn–and RSVP as soon as possible if you have not already done so, by email at leepowell@delta.comcastbiz.net or phone at (202) 360-6347.

Early registration deadline is Oct. 1, Monday, after which registration fees increase from $100 to $150, and more importantly, the space may run out if the current turnout continues and we would have to cut off the registrations at that point. It will have to be done on a first come, first-served basis. There is still space left.

Group hotel deadline is Oct. 9. Details below.

SPEAKERS: We have confirmations from Sen. John Boozman, Rep. Mike Ross, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel, Mayor A. C. Wharton of Memphis, Tennessee, President Glenn Fenter of Mid-South Community College, spokespersons from both President Obama’s campaign and Gov. Romney’s campaign, Delta Regional Authority Federal Co-Chairman Chris Masingill of Arkansas, Alternate Federal Co-Chairman Mike Marshall of Missouri, Prosecutor Scott Ellington, and MANY grassroots leaders from all eight states.

Sen. Mark Pryor, Rep. Rick Crawford, and Gov. Mike Beebe have participated in the past and were invited. Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee is invited.

One or two speakers may need to call in and speak over the two-way audio capability at the Berry Center, and this format has worked well in the past.

Obama vs. Romney campaigns’ debate: We want to hear from both parties as to what they would do if elected to promote job creation and economic recovery in the Greater Delta Region on Oct. 24. Mayor Carl Redus of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, will be the surrogate speaker for President Obama, and the Romney campaign informed us that they will send a speaker on behalf of Gov. Romney.

All meetings will be at Mid-South Community College, and the plan is for both the Oct. 23 and Oct. 24 session to be at the Marion Berry Renewable Energy Center now, due to the heavy turnout that continues to get bigger.

Schedule, registration, and group hotel information are below in this email, with further details on the program below. We are still finalizing some parts of the agenda and there are usually last-minute adjustments that have to be made to accommodate the schedules of the Members of Congress, Gov. Beebe and others.

INFORMAL GATHERING AT GROUP HOTEL RIGHT BEFORE THE OPENING SESSION, 4 p.m. Oct. 23: We will meet with Desha County Judge Mark McElroy to hear his legendary Elvis Presley impersonation at the West Memphis Holiday Inn bar and lobby area at 4 p.m. before going to the college (unless the Judge scares everybody off) for the opening session at 4:30 p.m.

OPENING SESSION: Tuesday evening, Oct. 23, 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Marion Berry Renewable Energy Center at Mid-South Community College in West Memphis, Arkansas. There will be some food and drinks there.

The opening session is a major, substantive part of the conference, featuring Congressman Mike Ross in his last presentation to the Delta Caucus as a Member of Congress, DRA Chairman Chris Masingill, Joe Quinn of Wal-Mart, Rex Nelson, president of Arkansas Independent Colleges and Universities, Beverly Robertson of the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tamidra Marable of Heifer International, Mildred Barnes Griggs of the East Arkansas Enterprise Community, and other key speakers.

MAIN SESSION: Wednesday, Oct. 24, 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Mid-South Community College, Marion Berry Renewable Energy Center in West Memphis.

Sen. Boozman and other Members of Congress, Attorney General McDaniel, Mayor Wharton of Memphis, the speakers for the Obama and Romney campaigns, representatives of Fed Ex, Nucor Yamato Steel, the Memphis BioWorks Foundation, Scott Ellington, grassroots leaders from across the region. Sen. Mark Pryor, Gov. Mike Beebe, Rep. Rick Crawford, and Rep. Steve Cohen are invited for Oct. 24.

We would like to emphasize that there are many other key leaders and organizations who will be playing an important role, and we will send out a rough draft of the agenda and other information about the other partners who are supporting the conference soon.

**REGISTRATION: You register by sending in the $100 early registration fees for each individual on or before Oct. 1. Please make out the check to “Delta Caucus” and mail to our office in the Washington, DC area:

Delta Caucus

5030 Purslane Place

Waldorf, Maryland 20601

Registration fees go up to $150 after Oct. 1, as an incentive to get the registration fees in ahead of time. Conference expenses come due before the conference and it complicates matters if we have to register many people at the beginning of the event.

GROUP HOTEL: The group hotel is the West Memphis Holiday Inn & Convention Center. To get the group rate of $109 for Tuesday evening, Oct. 23, please call the hotel at (870) 735-4055 and make your reservation as part of the Delta Caucus bloc by Oct. 9. There are also some rooms available for Oct. 24 if people want to stay that night as well. The group hotel is a few minutes from Mid-South Community College.

We look forward to seeing you in West Memphis on Oct. 23-24. For further questions, contact Lee Powell, Delta Caucus director 202-360-6347; Desha County Judge Mark McElroy (870) 877-2426.