Welcome to Netroots Nation 2018!
We’re thrilled that you’ve decided to spend the weekend with us in the Big Easy.If this is your first Netroots Nation (and there are lots of you first-timers!), we want you to know that this is a place for sharing ideas and connecting. It’s a place to learn from each other and to uplift and affirm one another. Let’s face it, in today’s political climate, we could all use a little more of that.
Take a peek at our agenda and you’ll find lots of great content around the upcoming midterms and how fully investing in the New American Majority philosophy will help us win in 2018 and beyond. We believe Democrats must abandon the myth of the white swing voter and invest in the multi-racial, multicultural coalition of voters that make up the majority of our electorate. You’ll hear from organizations and candidates whose campaigns are demonstrating the power of mobilizing this majority and building a truly reflective democracy.
We’re also featuring content about building grassroots power, particularly by investing in local groups and community-based organizing. Our lineup includes sessions on bold progressive solutions to issues like healthcare, climate change and gun violence, as well as panels highlighting resistance efforts from around the country, organizing in our host city and state, and much more.
On the training front, there’s something for everyone, from basic online organizing to more advanced tactics, plus sessions on grassroots activism, communications and more. Whether you’re a brand new activist looking to learn the basics or you’ve been organizing for years and want to up your game, you can choose from 70 training sessions and head home ready to win.
It’s just as important to consider which voices are elevated as what’s being said. Our agenda features activists from across the country, elected officials, candidates and top practitioners.
And the people you’ll hear from this weekend make up our most diverse group ever: 67 percent of our selected speakers and moderators are people of color, 63 percent are women, and 25 percent identify as LGBTQ.
You’ll find lots of other things on the agenda too: keynotes featuring some of our boldest progressive leaders and hottest candidates; fun nightly social events; a chance to network with candidates up and down the ballot; and a tech tools showcase.
If you happen to have any free time, we hope you’ll get a chance to see the city and experience some Southern hospitality (and a little tasty Creole food, too).
Whether this is your first Netroots Nation or you’ve been to every one, we hope you experience things this weekend that challenge you, teach you, and inspire you to fight a little harder.
Welcome to New Orleans!
The Netroots Nation staff & board