Conferences
The 46th Annual IAPC World Conference
November 9—12, 2013
Join the world's best political consultants... on a tropical island.
We're not kidding — a 72-room, five-star, all-inclusive resort awaits. And it's all ours. IAPC has negotiated a buy-out of the Curtain Bluff resort on Antigua in the West Indies for the exclusive use of our members and conference guests.
This year's theme: Storytelling in a digital age
Every campaign, every cause, every candidate needs a great story to connect — and succeed — with voters. In our digital age, storytelling in campaigning is more important than ever. The ten-second sound bite, the multi-channel universe, the user-driven content, the one-to-one connection all rely on right messages to engage audiences.
Join us for discussions on the power of story in campaigns around the world: how we uncover the right story, how we shape it and bring it to voters, how we use tools from the tried and tested to the latest innovations.
If you have questions, contact our Conference Director Mari Rusch.
At a glance...
Conference Costs
Because of the all inclusive format, the total cost of registration and hotel accommodations for four nights is LESS than past three conferences.
All your meals, beverages (including premium bar service 12 hours a day) and nightly entertainment are included in the Curtain Bluff per-night cost. So your registration fee this year will be much less if you stay at Curtain Bluff.
Registration fees for IAPC members and their guests, staying at Curtain Bluff:
- Early-bird member: $300
- Early-bird guest of member: $150
- Early-bird non-members: $650
All-inclusive resort costs:
IAPC has negotiated a special room rate for the conference — in fact, the rates we're getting are 51% less than the regular accommodation rates. The costs are US$595 per night for double occupancy and US$495 for single occupancy. Again, this includes all your meals, snacks, drinks and night-time entertainment.
Registration fees for members and their guests staying at other properties:
We are encouraging our members and guests stay at Curtain Bluff. However if you decide to stay off property, note that the closest hotels are a 20-minute drive and roads near resort are quite winding and not well lit at night.
Your registration fee includes: all meals, open bar and all resort activities at Curtain Bluff during the four-day conference, except where noted.
- Early-bird member (full access to resort amenities): $1,300
- Early-bird guest of member (full access): $1,150
-
Early-bird guest of member (dinners ONLY — includes Gala Dinner): $800
No use of resort facilities during the day for this option. - Early-bird, non-members (full access): $1,650
Want to arrive early or stay late?
Curtain Bluff resort will offer (based on availability) three nights pre-conference and three nights post-conference at the same, special room rate.
About Curtain Bluff
Flanked by water on both sides, Curtain Bluff sits on a rocky promontory (bluff) that juts into the sea between two beautiful beaches. One is calm, ideal for swimming and watersports; the other beach is washed by ocean surf.
72 rooms and suites, all with staggering seascape views, are spread out along the Surf Beach and up the bluff. There are two restaurants: the open-walled Tamarind Tree serving breakfasts and candle-lit dinners, and the Beach Café & Bar, where barefoot-casual lunches are enjoyed one step from the sand and a few feet from the water’s edge.
ALL INCLUSIVE: What is Included?
To really understand Curtain Bluff’s unbeatable value just look at what’s included in the room rate. In other resorts that rate gets you just a room. Here it buys everything you could possible want in an outstanding vacation and, from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave, you never have to pay a penny extra.
All meals and drinks, including room service and mini-bar items are included — and see the next tab (Activities) for a sense of all the activities included in your fee.
An Award-Winning resort: According to readers of Travel + Leisure magazine, Curtain Bluff has the best service in the Caribbean, winning a 2012 World's Best Service (June, 2012). See more of their awards and accolades here.
Events & activities
Events included with your stay include:
- Welcome Beach Party along with nightly entertainment during the remaining evenings.
- Gala reception and dinner
- Prime Minister’s Reception/Lobster Dinner
While at the resort, you can choose from the following included activities: speedboats, sailing, windsurfing, kayaks, waterskiing, snorkeling, fishing, tennis, gym, putting green and squash. Explore all of Curtain Bluff's activities here.
In addition, the following optional activities are available:
Spa Time!
Curtain Bluff has exquisite spa and beauty salon facilities. And they are usually fairly busy. So even though IAPC will be the only guests there, it might be an idea to check out their spa page and book an appointment via email early.
Golf Tournament:
Monday afternoon at 2:30 at Cedar Valley Golf Course. This will be a 9-hole Captain's Choice format (you do not need to be a good golfer, as foursome captain selects best ball for each shot and all play that ball through to the hole).
The cost is $100 per person, which includes: transportation, green fees, cart,club rental.
Wine Tasting in the Curtain Bluff Wine Cellar:
Sunday at 5 -6 pm in Curtain Bluff's three-level wine cellar. This wine cellar holds more than $2 million of fine wine; and one of the resort's three sommeliers will lead a tasting of several of those wines.
The cost is $70 per person
Cooking Lesson and lunch with Curtain Bluff Executive Chef:
Sunday at 12:30 pm, immediately following the IAPC morning session. Prior to coming to Curtain Bluff, French-born Executive Chef Christophe Blatz trained with Alain Ducasse and cooked in some of the finest Michelin Star-rated kitchens in France, including Les Ambassadeurs Restaurant in the Hotel du Crullon in Paris.
The cost is $70 per person.
