Pitch for a Liberty Conference

To whom it may concern:

I’ve sent you this note for two reasons. Firstly, I want to introduce myself as the new leader of the Ontario Libertarian Party; and secondly, I want to propose an idea that might be to our mutual advantage.

I’m often asked what other organizations in Ontario or Canada are liberty-minded, and why we don’t join with them so as to present a larger front in the battle to advance the cause of liberty. I state my belief that it is always better to have many groups coming from many directions attacking a complex issue such as this. I believe that a variety of different approaches improve the chances that one group will make inroads that will benefit all groups. Then I list some of the organizations and their purposes, and I’m always surprised at how many people are not aware of many of them.

We all need to do a better job of marketing our various organizations.

With that in mind, I propose that we create an event where local, regional, national, and international liberty-minded groups are invited to come together at a single venue in the Greater Toronto area. The invited groups that attend would invite their own various constituencies and have the opportunity to advertise themselves to a larger cross section of interested people.

Such a “liberty conference” would allow the sharing of ideas with one another that might advance our respective causes and give us more visibility in the broader community.

Of course, the media would be invited to this event, and any publicity generated might encourage like-minded people to investigate further. I would like to make it an annual event.

Examples of Liberty-minded groups (variety of logos here)

I would also encourage the attendance of commercial groups, like booksellers, financial brokers and advisors, representatives of free market schools, and anyone else that might benefit from such a gathering.

I suggest the event be held over two days to coincide with my party’s Annual General Meeting in early November 2012, though the conference itself would be apolitical and our AGM would be held after the main conference ended.

I envision having speakers, possibly with presentations that go on concurrently in different rooms while exhibitors advertise and display their various products and organizations in another common area. There may be a buffet lunch or dinner involved, of course all of it depending on numbers attending.

So, consider this note as a survey of interest, a test of the feasibility of the idea. If we receive sufficient interest, we will proceed to find an appropriate venue and determine costs involved and lay out a plan of action.

I believe this would be an excellent opportunity to merge our community with the community at large and help advance our various causes.

Please let me know what you think and what suggestions you may have.

On behalf of my party, please accept our best wishes to you and your organization for a successful New Year.

Allen Small Ontario Libertarian Party