Over the next several days, thousands of activists and elected officials will attend the Conservative Political Action Conference at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. 

Better known as CPAC, the conference is the conservative movement’s most influential gathering of the year. The annual gathering returned to Washington, D.C., area this year after stints in Florida and Texas in 2021 and 2022. 

Carly Tomaine, director of the Jay Henges Center for Youth Leadership, is one of this year’s first scheduled speakers and will lead a session Wednesday night called "The Skilled Activist: Training the Conservative Movement."

“The panel that I'm going to be doing about activism are really good educational and also skill-set-oriented opportunities to learn both the technological side and how to become a better activist,” Tomaine told Spectrum News. 

While this will be Tomaine’s first time speaking at the conference, it will not be her first time going to the event. This year, a number of repeat guests are on the confirmed list of attendees, but news about who isn't attending is also grabbing headlines.

Former President Donald Trump, Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Rick Scott of Florida, and Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Lauren Boebert of Colorado and James Comer of Kentucky are among those scheduled to appear. However, former Vice President Mike Pence and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis -- both potential presidential candidates in 2024 -- are skipping CPAC this year. Pence and DeSantis have attended CPAC on previous occasions.

Spectrum News spoke with Todd Belt, director of the Political Management program at The George Washington University's Graduate School of Political Management, about why some conservative heavyweights are choosing not to attend. He noted Trump’s participation is one likely reason why. 

“When Donald Trump is there, he sucks all the oxygen out of a room," Belt said. "It's really hard for anybody who wants to take on Trump to really carve out their lane and get their message out there."

Other big names not expected to attend this year include House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel.

Belt said that while each may have their own reasons for attending, the event offers a lot to newcomers who are trying to figure out how to get involved. 

“They have breakout rooms and discussions of policy issues," he said. " ... It's a really a big opportunity for people to organize for future campaigns."

Some have linked this year’s abandonment of CPAC to appearances by guests still touting false election fraud claims, including failed Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake and businessman Mike Lindell. Others have pointed to sexual assault allegations made against CPAC Chairman Matt Schlapp, claims Schlapp has denied. 

Tomaine told Spectrum News that she wasn't worried about the guest list and still sees CPAC as an important opportunity for all conservatives, particularly the younger generation.

“I think that's a great lineup," Tomaine said. "I'm definitely excited to hear from really everybody, just kind of see what their takes are, grow, especially going into 2024." 

2024 presidential candidate Nikki Haley and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who many believe is considering a run for the White House, are also scheduled to attend the conference, which continues through Saturday.