Join us at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center for a Kemp Forum on Expanding Opportunity, Saturday, January 9, 2016 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Speaker Paul Ryan (WI) and U.S. Senator Tim Scott (SC) will moderate the Forum. To date, seven presidential candidates have accepted the invitation to discuss fighting poverty and expanding opportunity in America. They include: Governor Jeb Bush, Dr. Ben Carson, Governor Chris Christie, Ms. Carly Fiorina, Governor Mike Huckabee, Governor John Kasich, and Senator Marco Rubio. 

Sponsored by Opportunity Lives in partnership with the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and the Economic Innovation Group (EIG), this Kemp Forum seeks to elevate the debate and showcase conservative solutions to one of today’s most pressing challenges in America, on the eve of an historic election in November 2016.

This event will be unique because:

• It is the first to focus exclusively on combatting poverty and expanding opportunity where it’s needed most.
• The format will allow the candidates to appear in small groupings – as opposed to solo appearances (with other forums) or on one crowded stage (as with the debates).

Please take a moment to register NOW. You must be registered and have your ticket to attend the Forum!

Event Sponsors

Event details and additional coverage:

• Confirmed participants as of December 9th: Governor Jeb Bush, Dr. Ben Carson, Governor Chris Christie, Ms. Carly Fiorina, Governor Mike Huckabee, Governor John Kasich, Senator Marco Rubio (more confirmations expected)
• Date: Saturday, January 9, 2016
• Time: 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• Location: Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center in Columbia, South Carolina
• Moderators: Speaker Paul Ryan, Senator Tim Scott
• Host and More Information: The Jack Kemp Foundation
• Lead sponsor: Opportunity Lives
• Additional partners: American Enterprise Institute (AEI); Economic Innovation Group (EIG)
• Additional corporate sponsors: Ford Motor Company, Power Sponsor; Microsoft Corporation, Opportunity Sponsor; Google, Expanding Sponsor; Ronald Terwilliger Foundation for Housing America's Families, Expanding Sponsor.
  

Media coverage:

• POLITICO: Six GOP presidential candidates will attend Ryan, Scott poverty forum
• John Hart, Opportunity Lives: OL to sponsor presidential forum on expanding opportunity
• Arthur Brooks, AEI: Leading the fight against poverty

“There are few challenges tougher than the fight against poverty, and we need all hands on deck,” said Speaker Ryan. “I’m looking forward to exploring ideas about how we can expand opportunity in America.”

“The Kemp Foundation, Speaker Ryan and I all share the same goal of helping those most in need, and the Kemp Forum on Expanding Opportunity will provide our candidates with a great forum to articulate their plans to help all Americans achieve their dreams,” said Senator Scott. “Our nation is one of endless opportunity, and I look forward to welcoming the 2016 presidential candidates to South Carolina for this important event.”

The American idea was never that everyone would be leveled to the same position in life. The American idea was that each individual should have the same opportunity to rise as high as his effort and initiative and God-given talent could carry him. If you were born to be a master carpenter, or a mezzo-soprano—or even a pro football player—here in America you could make it.”
--Jack Kemp, GOP Convention, 1980

FAQs 

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

Please bring your printed ticket to the event with you. However, if you are unable to print it or forget it we are able to lookup your registration at the door, but this will slow your entrance into the event space. 

Do I have to stay for the entire event?

While we encourage you to attend the entire event and hear from each of the candidates you are not required to stay for the full event.

Will there be food at the event?

Water and coffee will be provided, and a simple box lunch.

What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?

Parking will be available in the parking garage across the street from the center.  There will be very limited parking available on the Center’s grounds. Please follow the event parking signs upon arrival. 

What can/can't I bring to the event?

The following items are prohibited from the event:

• Posters
• Banners
• Signs of any type
• Selfie sticks
• Personal food and refreshments
• Weapons or firearms of any kind
• Whistles or other noise disrupting devices

What type of security will be at the event?

Strict security will be in place for the event. All attendees will be required to pass through magnetometers when entering the building and present a government-issued photo ID matching the name on their printed ticket. You are asked to bring a minimal amount of personal items.

Where can I contact the organizer with any questions?

For general event inquiries please email: KempForum@HarbingerOutreach.com  For general press inquiries please email: ewatkins@jackkempfoundation.org