Second Amendment Blog Bash

The following is the 2008 schedule. As we finalize 2009 events, we will post them here and notify those on the mailing list.

Please remember that you must register for the Blog Bash in order to take part in all special activities.

Unless noted, events take place at the Kentucky Exposition Center.

Red = Blogger/Reader Events
Blue = Blogger Events

Thursday, May 15
2pm-6pm Member Registration Opens
NRA meeting attendees can register before the lines grow on Friday and Saturday!

6pm Friends of NRA Banquet - Ticket Required
Location: Kentucky International Convention Center
All proceeds from the auctions are to directly benefit the NRA Foundation in supporting their mission “to promote firearms and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those participating in the shooting sports, and educate the general public about firearms in their historic, technological, and artistic context.” Items available to bid on at the National NRA Foundation Banquet, and at the Sportsmen’s Luncheon and Auction will include: custom rifles, exotic hunts, unique jewelry, among many other merchandise, trips, hunts, and firearms.

Tickets are $60.

6:30pm NRA-ILA Public Affairs Blogger Mix & Mingle
Location: Maker’s Mark Bourbon House & Lounge
Join other bloggers and the Public Affairs team from the NRA Institute for Legislative Action for a casual evening to get to know one another before spending a weekend sharing the media room.

Friday, May 16
8am-6pm Member Registration Open

8:00am Eyeblast.tv
Location: Louisville Marriott Downtown - Clubhouse Room
Join Executive Producer K. Danny Glover for an introduction to Eyeblast, an online platform for people to share and view videos, photos, articles and opinions on topics that are important to them — from news to political issues and rip-roaring humor. Look for the Second Amendment Blog Bash channel for video updates from Louisville.

8am Grassroots Breakfast
9am Grassroots Workshop
Location: Louisville Marriott Downtown - Ballroom Salon VI
With the 2008 election season underway, NRA members must redouble efforts to elect pro-Second Amendment lawmakers to office at all levels of government. They will discuss how gun owners can take on a more active role in their community with grassroots campaigns and legislative efforts. NRA will provide the materials and strategies needed to educate and empower fellow gun owners. The workshop will feature several guest speakers, including NRA officers and NRA-ILA staff.

If you would like to attend, you must preregister for the NRA Grassroots Workshop.

9am-6pm Air Gun Range Opens

9am Firearms Law Seminar
Location: Kentucky International Convention Center
This day-long seminar is a quality course of jurisprudence and legal instruction for practicing attorneys who represent firearms owners, wholesalers, manufacturers and importers, and for attorneys who wish to expand their practice to the representation of such clients.

More information is available here.

10am-6pm Exhibit Hall Opens
Visit manufacturers, outfitters, collectors, and gear makers for one of the largest displays of guns you’ll ever see!

11am Sportsmen’s Luncheon & Auction - Ticket Required
A social hour will kick off the afternoon and will allow attendees time to play a few raffle games and look over the silent auction items to bid on. The afternoon will continue with an appetizing meal to enjoy before moving into the highly anticipated live auction. The participating sportsmen will have an opportunity to bid on high quality donations featuring custom firearms, one of a kind pieces, and hunts from all over the world, among other exciting auction items. All monies raised support The NRA Foundation.

Tickets are $35.

12:30pm NRA Celebration of American Values Leadership Forum - Ticket Required
Kick off the weekend’s events with fellowship and fun. NRA Officers and honored guests welcome you to the 137th Annual Meetings & Exhibits.

Tickets are $75.

1pm Refuse to be a Victim Seminar
Improve your personal safety strategies with NRA’s Refuse To Be A Victim® Program.

2pm Special Sessions
Topics: The African Hunting Experience, Methods of Concealed Carry

5:30pm Happy Hour with TV & Internet Host Michael Bane
Location: Islamorada Fish Company, Bass Pro Shops
Thanks to the generosity of Michael Bane, bloggers and commenters are invited to join him at the Bass Pro Shops in Clarksville, Indiana for happy hour on Friday, May 16. Bane is the host and producer for the Outdoor Channel and, on the internet, Down Range Television. He has been blogging on the Michael Bane Blog — Warning! I Fling Poo! — since 2004 and began a weekly podcast last year.

6:15pm Gun Blogger & Reader Dinner
Location: Islamorada Fish Company, Bass Pro Shops
Stick around after drinks for dinner at the Islamorada Fish Company on Friday evening. We will gather to enjoy a casual dinner at the second largest Bass Pro Shops in the country.

6:30pm NRA-ILA Dinner & Auction - Ticket Required
Location: TBA
Amazing firearms, and more, will be available at the Second Annual NRA-ILA Dinner and Auction, dedicated to “Investing in our Firearms Future.”

Tickets are $300.

7:30pm Opening Celebration–Fourth Street Live Concert
Location: Fourth Street Live
Annual Meeting attendees are invited to a free concert featuring Grammy award-winning artist John Michael Montgomery. This is the first event of its kind at the Annual Meeting, and will take place at Louisville’s Fourth Street Live.

Saturday, May 17
7am Prayer Breakfast - Ticket Required
Location: Louisville Marriott Downtown
Warm up your spirit at the 2008 Prayer Breakfast with David Blanton of the popular “Realtree Outdoors” TV series. He will share an inspirational message during this opportunity for fellowship with the NRA family as they pray for our Country and our leaders.

Tickets are $35.

8am FNH USA Discussion
Location: Exhibit Hall, FNH Booth #1023
Meet FNH USA Senior Vice President Rick DeMilt during a special blogger introduction to the company’s line of products.

8am-6pm Registration Open

9am-6pm Air Gun Range Open

9am-6pm Exhibit Hall Open

10am NRA Annual Meeting of Members
This massive gathering gives NRA members the chance to hear the reports of the officers and vote on organization business.

1pm Refuse to be a Victim Seminar
Improve your personal safety strategies with NRA’s Refuse To Be A Victim® Program.

2pm Special Sessions
Topics: In Their Own Words, Guns of D-Day, Guaranteed Whitetail Tactics, Methods of Concealed Carry

6:30pm Reception
8pm NRA Celebration of American Values Banquet - Ticket Required
Location: Kentucky International Convention Center
Join other gun bloggers for dinner with keynote speaker Glenn Beck. In 2007, Ambassador John Bolton addressed the St. Louis meeting, preceded by General Tommy Franks in Milwaukee, Majority Leader Tom Delay in Houston, and Vice President Dick Cheney in Pittsburgh.

The Banquet is always the outstanding social event of the NRA’s Annual Meetings and typically sells out. Tickets start from $65.

Dress: The head table wears black tie apparel; however most guests wear business attire.

Sunday, May 18
8am-5pm Registration Open

9am Conversation with GunsAmerica.com
Join the owner of GunsAmerica.com for a conversation about what they plan to offer in 2008, and the intersection of technology and the gun industry/issue.

9am-5pm Air Gun Range Open

10am-5pm Exhibit Hall Open

11am Special Sessions
Topics: Handloading Today, NRA and the Media: It’s Not the Critic Who Counts

12:30pm Special Session
Topic: United We Stand with Ted Nugent

1pm Refuse To Be A Victim Instructor Development Workshop

Monday, May 19
9am NRA Board of Directors Meeting
Location: Hyatt Regency Louisville