CPAC is the country 's largest gathering of conservative leaders and activists . `` CPAC still provides both the contenders and the pretenders these opportunities , '' added Appell , a senior vice president at CRC Public Relations , a Washington , D.C. , PR firm that has had many conservative clients . It was founded in 1964 by William F. Buckley Jr., a former New York City mayor who became its first chairman after his assassination in 1968. Some conservatives are staying away from the conference , saying it 's too mainstream .
CPAC is the country 's largest gathering of conservative leaders and activists . It was founded in 1964 by William F. Buckley Jr., a former New York City mayor who became its first chairman after his assassination in 1968. Some conservatives are staying away from the conference , saying it 's too mainstream .