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ABOUT

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS CONFERENCE

The premier gathering for Alabama business and state leaders to network, learn, and discuss current topics of interest.

Coastal Casual

THE BCA GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS conference welcomeS a wide range of speakers including state and federal leaders, business experts, and political pundits.

 

Attendees are encouraged to bring family members to this casual and informative weekend at the Grand Hotel in Point Clear.

*Once registration is complete, please remember to book your hotel reservations by clicking here.

2024 CONFERENCE schedule

SCHEDULE

Friday, August 9

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8:00 AM 

Conference Check-In

Conference Center Lobby

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10:00 AM 

ProgressPAC Board Meeting

Azalea B

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11:00 AM 

BCA Executive Committee Meeting

Azalea A

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2:00 PM 

BCA Board Meeting

Azalea Ballroom

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3:00 PM 

BCA Policy Committee Day

Azalea B

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4:30 PM 

BCA Committee Cocktails

Grand Ballroom Patio​

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5:00 PM 

Family-Friendly Welcome Celebration

Grand Ballroom

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7:00 PM 

S'mores by the Firepit 

Conference Center Beach

Saturday, August 10

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7:45 AM 

Doors Open for Breakfast

Grand Ballroom

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8:30 AM 

BCA Government Affairs Forum

Grand Ballroom

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12:00 PM 

Golf Outing

Presented by Brasfield & Gorrie, Lakewood Golf Club

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1:00 PM 

Pool Networking Social

Presented by BlueCross BlueShield of Alabama and The Fund

Sunday, August 11

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9:00 AM 

Networking Jazz Brunch

Presented by Poarch Band of Creek Indians, Lagoon Room

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11:00 AM 

Hotel Check Out

SPEAKERS

BCA '24 SPEAKERS

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Kay Ivey

Governor

Growing up in the small town of Camden in Wilcox County, Alabama, and working on her father’s farm taught Kay Ivey to value hard work and living within one’s means. Her parents instilled values of faith, family, and community. After graduating from Auburn University in 1967, Kay worked as a high school teacher and a bank officer. She served as Reading Clerk of the Alabama House of Representatives under Speaker Joseph C. McCorquodale and was Assistant Director of the Alabama Development Office, where she worked to spur job creation and economic development across the state. In 2002, Kay became the first Republican elected State Treasurer since Reconstruction and she was re-elected in 2006. As Treasurer, Kay was committed to making the office more open, transparent, and efficient. Kay was elected Lieutenant Governor in 2010, becoming the first Republican woman to hold the office in Alabama’s history. She again made history on November 4, 2014, by becoming the first Republican Lieutenant Governor re-elected to the office. The Lieutenant Governor’s primary Constitutional duty is to preside over legislative proceedings of the upper house as President of the Senate. Kay has been honored to receive numerous awards for her service to the State of Alabama, including the 2015 ALFA Service to Agriculture Award, Newmax’s 50 Most Influential Female Republicans in the country and, most recently, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) 2016 Public Service Award; 2017 Citizen of the Year, by River Region Living Magazine. In September 2019, the Alabama-Florida Council of the Boy Scouts of America distinguished Governor Ivey as a Golden Eagle for her ‘scout like service’ and being a trailblazer for women. On April 10, 2017, Kay was sworn in as the 54th Governor of the State of Alabama in the Old Senate Chamber in the Alabama State Capitol by Acting Chief Justice Lyn Stuart. Following a successful nineteen months in office, the people of Alabama made history again in November 2018 by electing Governor Ivey to a full term. She is the first Lt. Governor of Alabama elected to a full term after taking over as governor due to a vacancy in the governor’s office. On January 14, 2019, Governor Ivey was officially sworn in for her full term by Associate Justice Will Sellers. Kay will continue to bring conservative leadership with effective results to make this generation more productive and the next generation more prosperous. She is a member of the First Baptist Church of Montgomery, the Montgomery Rotary Club, and the Board of Directors of the Montgomery YMCA. Kay is also the first Girls State alumnus to be elected to an Alabama Constitutional Office.

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Katie Britt

U.S. Senator

In 2023, U.S. Senator Kate Boyd Britt (R-Ala.) made history as Alabama’s first elected female Senator. She is also recognized as the youngest Republican woman ever elected to the U.S. Senate and currently the sole Republican mother of school-aged children serving in the Senate. Senator Britt is dedicated to advocating for hardworking families, striving to expand opportunities and safeguard the American Dream for future generations. In the 118th Congress, she holds pivotal roles on the Committees on Appropriations, Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and Rules and Administration. These committee assignments strategically position her to effectively champion Alabama’s interests and values, tackling pressing challenges with practical solutions. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Britt prioritizes national defense, ensuring that American military personnel are well-equipped and trained to uphold safety and security for all families. She is committed to restoring fiscal responsibility in government spending and advocating for a return to regular order to curb wasteful expenditures contributing to inflationary pressures across the nation. In her role as Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, she places significant emphasis on border security, aiming to protect American citizens and defend the homeland. On the Senate Banking Committee, Senator Britt advocates for sensible consumer protections and policies that foster economic freedom and prosperity for families, small businesses, and retirees in Alabama and nationwide. She champions Main Street businesses and policies that facilitate their growth and success. Her membership on the Rules Committee allows her to uphold Senate traditions and principles, defending the Constitution, the rule of law, and the Senate’s commitment to robust debate and civil discourse. Born and raised in Enterprise, Alabama, Senator Britt learned the values of faith, family, and freedom from her small business-owning parents. She holds a B.A. in Political Science and a J.D. from the University of Alabama. A devout Christian, wife, and mother, Senator Britt resides in Montgomery with her husband Wesley and their two children, where faith and family remain central to her life and work.

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Robert Aderholt

U.S. Representative

On January 7, 2023, Congressman Robert B. Aderholt took the oath of office to serve his 14th term representing Alabama’s Fourth Congressional District. Aderholt is a member of the powerful House Committee on Appropriations, which has jurisdiction over funding the operation of the federal government. Congressman Aderholt serves as the Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health & Human Services, and Education. This subcommittee is responsible for the largest non-defense portion of spending in the entire federal budget. Aderholt also serves as a member of the Commerce, Justice and Science Subcommittee and the Defense Subcommittee. An advocate of fiscal responsibility, truth in budgeting and a federal government that operates within its means, Aderholt tries to bring common-sense solutions to the Appropriations Committee. Congressman Aderholt also serves as Chair of the Values Action Team. The Values Action Team (VAT) is a registered Congressional Member Organization in the House of Representatives focused on promoting families, communities and religious freedoms. Aderholt also serves as a commission member of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (commonly known as the Helsinki Commission). Founded in 1976, the Helsinki Commission is comprised of 56 countries around the world that together monitors human rights in Europe and Central Asia. A staunch supporter of his community, district and the state of Alabama, Aderholt believes the federal government serves a critical role in assisting state and local projects regarding economic development. He continues to support pro-growth initiatives that create jobs, strong immigration standards, and robust national security. He also puts a strong emphasis on constituent services. Prior to his election to Congress, Aderholt served as Assistant Legal Advisor to Governor Fob James as well as Municipal Judge for the city of Haleyville, Alabama. Educated through Alabama's public school system, Aderholt went on to receive his B.A. from Birmingham Southern College and his J.D. from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. Born on July 22, 1965, and raised in Alabama, Aderholt and his wife, Caroline, have their residence in Haleyville. Their daughter Mary Elliott works for a consulting firm in Washington and son Robert Hayes attends Auburn University.

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Terri Sewell

U.S. Representative

Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell is in her seventh term representing Alabama’s 7th Congressional District. She is one of the first women elected to Congress from Alabama in her own right and is the first Black woman to ever serve in the Alabama Congressional delegation. Congresswoman Sewell sits on the exclusive House Ways and Means Committee, the House Armed Services Committee, and the Committee on House Administration where she serves as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Elections. In her short time in Congress, Sewell has held several leadership positions, including Freshman Class President in the 112th Congress. In the 118th Congress, she was selected by Democratic leadership to serve as a Chief Deputy Whip, and sits on the prestigious Steering and Policy Committee which sets the policy direction of the Democratic Caucus. Congresswoman Sewell is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus where she is Chair of the Voting Rights Task Force. She is a member of the New Democrat Coalition; Co-Chair of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus; Vice-Chair of the Congressional HBCU Caucus; and Co-Chair of the Rural Caucus. A proud product of Alabama’s rural Black Belt, Congresswoman Sewell was the first black valedictorian of Selma High School. She is an honors graduate of Princeton University and Oxford University in England and received her law degree from Harvard Law School.

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Gary Palmer

U.S. Representative

Mr. Palmer who grew up in Hackleburg, a small town in Northwest Alabama, now lives in Hoover and represents Alabama’s 6th Congressional District. Mr. Palmer attended the University of Alabama and was the first person on either side of his family to attend college. In addition, he was a walk-on member of the football team under legendary football coach Bear Bryant. After earning a B.S. in Operations Management, he worked in the private sector for 12 years; including nine with two major engineering construction companies, before involvement with Focus on the Family led him to start the Alabama Family Alliance which later became the Alabama Policy Institute. Palmer served as President of the Alabama Policy Institute for 24 years. During his tenure, the Alabama Policy Institute became a full-spectrum public policy organization that engaged in virtually all policy issues that affected Alabamians. It is considered the premier conservative think-tank in Alabama. Palmer also was a founding member of the board of directors of the State Policy Network, an umbrella organization for various state-based think-tanks. He served on the State Policy Network board for six years, the last two as chairman. Leading this broad coalition of policy thinkers gave Palmer exposure and knowledge of policy problems that confront all 50 states. When State Policy Network was founded in 1992, there were fewer than 20 state think-tanks in their network. Today, State Policy Network has 65 member organizations. Palmer served on four different state commissions on behalf of three different Governors. He was appointed to the Welfare Reform Commission by Governor Fob James. He also served as an advisor to Governor James’ Aerospace, Science and Technology Task Force. He was appointed to the Task Force to Strengthen Alabama Families by Governor Bob Riley, and the Alabama Commission on Improving State Government by Governor Robert Bentley. In 2014, he was elected to the 114th Congress, having never served in office before. In Congress, Palmer is focused on paying down the national debt by cutting spending; regulatory reform by reducing the number and expense of federal regulations; lowering energy costs and spurring economic growth and job creation by accessing America’s vast energy resources; and replacing Obamacare with a health care plan that puts people back in charge of their health care decisions and that will truly make health care affordable and available; and protecting life in all its forms. Palmer serves on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and the Subcommittees on Energy, Environment and Climate Change, and Oversight and Investigations. Palmer has also served as the Chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee since the 116th Congress. The Republican Policy Committee aims to unite Congressional Republicans on policy and help advise other members of leadership on policy decisions. Palmer has been a member of the Rotary Club of Birmingham since 1993, and he is a Paul Harris Fellow. He holds an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Mobile. He and his wife Ann live in Hoover, Alabama where they attend Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Alabama. They have three children, Claire, Kathleen and Rob.

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Jerry Carl

U.S. Representative

Congressman Jerry Carl is a native of Mobile, Alabama, and currently represents Alabama’s First Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Jerry was sworn in on January 3, 2021. Jerry has been married to Tina, also a native of Mobile, for 39 years. Together, they have two children and two grandchildren. Jerry was raised by a single mother, so he learned the values of hard work and perseverance at an early age. This work ethic is what led him to start his first of many businesses at the age of 25. Before his time in Congress, Jerry created and grew dozens of small businesses primarily dealing with home health care equipment and specialty pharmacies. He also has experience with timber management and real estate development. Until his son joined the Marines, Jerry never had any ambition of getting involved in politics. When his son returned from Afghanistan, Jerry decided it was time to do more for his community. Jerry serves on the House Appropriations Committee, where he works to ensure our tax dollars are spent wisely and that the Committee passes conservative bills to address the needs of the American people. He is also a staunch advocate for the defense interests of Alabama and the United States as a whole. Jerry served two terms on the Mobile County Commission before running for Congress. During his time in public office, Jerry has fought to restore common sense to government, and he has been a consistent fighter for job creation, lower taxes, and family values. Jerry is a staunch defender of our fundamental constitutional rights, and he is committed to limiting the size and scope of the federal government by eliminating wasteful spending and doing away with burdensome rules and regulations. Jerry also serves on the House Committee on Natural Resources, where he works to promote offshore energy production, protect and expand land for recreational hunting and fishing, advocate for Alabama’s timberland, manage and sustain our oceans and fisheries, and oversee tribal lands.

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Barry Moore

U.S. Representative

Born and raised on a family farm in Coffee County, Alabama, Barry Moore is a veteran, small business owner, and former member of the Alabama State House. After high school, Barry joined the Alabama National Guard and Reserves, serving for six years. During that time, he also pursued a degree in Agricultural Science at Auburn University and joined the Auburn ROTC Army Ranger Challenge Team. Barry's first job out of college was in the animal pharmaceutical industry, but Barry returned to his hometown of Enterprise to start Hopper-Moore Inc., an industrial waste hauling company, which has also been an Alabama general contractor for more than two decades. In 2010, Barry was recruited to run for the Alabama State House to represent District 91 and served for eight years, including as Chairman of the Military and Veterans Affairs Committee and Vice-Chair of the Small Business and Commerce Committee. Barry was elected to serve Alabama’s Second Congressional District in 2020. His Congressional office was selected as the winner for the outstanding achievement of the Congressional Management Foundation's "Life in Congress" Workplace Environment award and was nominated for the Constituent Accountability & Accessibility award in 2023. Barry and his wife and business partner, Heather, are the proud parents of four children - Jeremy (married to Brittany), Kathleen (married to 1LT Jack Whitfield), Claudia, and Jeb. They are active members of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Enterprise.

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Dale Strong

U.S. Representative

Congressman Dale Strong has deep family roots in North Alabama. A graduate of Sparkman High School, Dale holds a bachelor’s degree from Athens State University and an EMT license from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. No stranger to hard work, Dale grew up working at his father’s country store. Dale’s father, Horace, launched a tour bus business taking North Alabama school and church groups on charter trips across the country. Working alongside his father, Dale’s efforts helped put him, his brother and sister through college. A true public servant, Dale has spent his entire adult life as a committed first responder. The congressman, who has served for more than three decades as an EMT, volunteer firefighter and 911 dispatcher, holds a Medal of Valor in recognition of his unwavering dedication to saving lives. In 1996, Dale became the youngest Republican elected official in the state of Alabama when he was elected to serve on the Madison County Commission, representing District 4. In this capacity, Dale led numerous public safety and infrastructure initiatives, improving the quality of life for county residents. Dale married Laura Toney in 1999. The couple, who has been married for 24 years, have two children: Whitney and Harrison, who are both attending Auburn University. The family attends Mt. Zion Baptist Church, the same church family Dale shared as a child. In 2012, Dale was elected as the Madison County Commission’s first-ever Republican chairman. Taking a business-minded approach to local government, Dale reduced the county workforce, brought about department efficiency, and implement sound financial management. Without raising taxes, Dale’s leadership resulted in the construction of new roads and schools across Madison County. Throughout his tenure as chairman of the Madison County Commission, Dale collaborated with leaders across North Alabama to successfully recruit game-changing projects such as Toyota Mazda, Polaris, Facebook, Blue Origin, and GE Aviation to the region. He also played a vital role in working alongside Alabama’s federal delegation to support Redstone Arsenal and Research Park. In November 2022, Dale was elected to serve as the next congressman for Alabama’s Fifth Congressional District. Upon assuming office, Dale immediately began to advocate for his constituency, receiving assignments to serve on the House Armed Services, Homeland Security, and Science, Space and Technology Committees for the 118th Congress.

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Kevin Akins

Pollster

Kevin Akins is a Partner at Impact Research and has elected Democrats from city hall to the U.S. Senate. He is no stranger to battleground races and has polled for candidates nationwide. Impact Research, which is based in Montgomery, has been the official polling firm for the past four presidential races, including the campaigns of President Joe Biden, President Barack Obama, and Hillary Clinton.

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Jim McLaughlin

Pollster

Jim McLaughlin is a nationally recognized public opinion expert, strategic consultant and political strategist who has helped to elect a US President, Prime Ministers, a Senate Majority Leader and a Speaker of the House. Jim has worked for over 70 members of Congress, 14 U.S. Senators, 10 Governors, numerous Mayors and scores of other elected officials. He also serves as a consultant and market research strategist to Fortune 500 companies. Mr. McLaughlin’s knowledge of cutting-edge market research, data analytics and micro-targeting, gives him a unique perspective on public opinion research, and how it can be applied to effective political, marketing and communications strategies.

Need more information?

PLEASE EMAIL BRITNEY THAMES AT bthames@bcatoday.org

OR CALL 334.240.8729 

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