THE GOVERNORS CONFERENCE

THE GOVERNOR'S CONFERENCE IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS; GRAPHIC BY RYAN WEBER

This year marks the 20th annual Iowa’s Governor's Conference, and this year like the years prior this conference is full of fun activities to do. For those who don’t know what the Governors Conference is, it is an event that happens every year once a year. At the conference Students have an opportunity to connect with other LGBTQIA+ students who have similar experiences. Students can also go to break out workshops in the conference to learn about LGBTQ+ topics, also having special speakers that are usually public advocates of LGBTQ+ rights. This year's speaker is Harvey Guillén, an actor and activist. 

When and Where

Every year the Governors Conference is always in early April, starting all the way back in April of 2005, and this year is no different. The conference is going to be held on April 11th and opens the door for students to come in at 8 o’clock, but the actual conference doesn’t start till 9 o’clock. As well as happening every April the Governors Conference has a strict spot where it is held, at Prairie Meadows events center in Des Moines Iowa. 

Why do Students go

The Governors Conference of 2024 had over 900 students attend from across the state of Iowa. By going off of that and also the responses from the students from CCA who are going you could only assume that a lot of students all across the state are really excited for this event. As was stated before the Governors Conference is a place where students can interact with other LGBTQ+ students from all over Iowa, but there are more reasons students are drawn to the Governors Conference as the students from CCA who are going said that they love being able to learn about LGBTQ+ thing that are happening in the world, and learn more leadership skills as well. They also just support their friends and have fun at an informative event. 

The Effect the Governor's Conference has on Students

The way the Governors Conference affects the students who are attending is a positive one. The CCA students had similar answers but in differing ways, because all of them said that after the conference that they are excited. Two responses had almost the same answer by saying how it helps show that the LGBTQ+ community is still fighting despite the government right now. Another said that it has helped them make friends with others and makes them really happy. As well as one other saying that it helps them come out of their shell because of their anxiety, and over all, all of them said that it helped with their social interactions with new people.