GRAPEVINE, Texas — The Conservative Political Action Conference, also known as CPAC, has returned to the Lone Star State.

The last time the conference took place in Texas was in 2022. This event has been taking place every year since 1974, with then-California Gov. Ronald Reagan giving the keynote address.

North Texas was picked back-to-back to host the event in 2021 and 2022. But after four years in other locations, organizers realized everything is bigger in Texas and two-stepped their way back.

Wednesday kicked off day one of CPAC. It’s a day AJ Yvette, a die-hard Dallas County Republican, hasn’t missed since 2021, when the conference was first held in Texas.

“It’s great to be around like-minded people and to just get that spirit of unity and empowerment to move forward to push you through to the next step,” said Yvette.

Notable speakers taking the stage include Dr. Oz, Rev. Franklin Graham and candidates running in the November election like Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and one of the men vying for his current job, state Sen. Mayes Middleton.

“There’s a couple of people that are here internationally. I know we’ve got some things going on globally around the world with the administration as far as the keeping our country’s safe. So, I’m actually very curious to hear from some of these international, global leaders that are here in Dallas, Texas,” said Yvette.

One of those international speakers being the crown prince of Iran, who has been in exile since the Iranian Revolution primarily living in the U.S., and it’s nearing the one-month mark since Israel and the U.S. launched their attack on his home country.

But the biggest surprise of all is the fact that the top leader of the Republican Party, President Donald Trump, is not listed as a speaker.

He spoke last year at the conference and has been a consistent fixture at the conservative event at least 15 times, making his first appearance in 2011.

“I think the what’s the most notable about this event is we specifically tried to focus less on if you were famous in order to qualify for speaking but what are you doing in your community to make something happen. This is kind of a resurgent focus on activists in their communities,” said Matt Schlapp, CPAC chairman.

Schlapp said with the November election eight months away, the Lone Star State being picked as the host for the conference was a no-brainer.

“Texas is in the middle of all the political action. You have all these new congressional lines. You have this really important runoff in the Senate race, and this is the right place to be,” said Schlapp.

“This year’s theme is actions not words, so it’s time to lock down, put in the action and let’s get to work,” said Yvette.

CPAC wraps up this Saturday.