CPAC's Florida Conference Already a Success, Chairman Says

Before the first presidential candidate hits the main stage or any of the 12 breakout panels is seated, Conservative Political Action Conference Chairman Al Cardenas declared the event this weekend in Orlando a success during a morning briefing with the media.

"We had no idea or expectations on how this would turn out, but I'm happy to report over 3,000 people paid to be here today in addition to 300 of you in the media," he said. "Clearly this makes it a very successful event from the outset."

CPAC is tag-teaming the Republican Party of Florida's P5 event at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando that included the Fox News/Google sponsored presidential debate Thursday night.

The VIP Reagan Reception, featuring GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain, has been sold out, as has all space in both Sponsors Row and Radio Row inside the convention center, Cardenas noted.

Besides 12 breakout panels, the event features straw ballots for Florida's U.S. Senate on Friday and for U.S. president on Saturday.

He said CPAC is already planning future "outside the Beltway" events. No locations have been determined, but Cardenas said Chicago may be one of the next stops.

"The Midwest of this country will be as critical as Florida in the upcoming election cycle," Cardenas said.