The annual Conservative Political Action Conference will kick off later this week. Hot Air and I will be there covering the action, manning a booth, shooting video, signing books, and reporting on the scene.

Patrick Ruffini sends word that Rudy Giuliani will attend. Via the Politico’s Jonathan Martin:

I reported a piece last month about how Rudy and McCain were skipping some conservative conferences. One of the events I mentioned that they had not yet RSVP’d to is the Grandaddy Of Them All — the Conservative Political Action Conference or CPAC.

Turns out Rudy will attend CPAC. He’ll speak to the confab Friday.

We’ll try and catch him for an interview.

Ed Morrissey will be there, too, and says Giuliani made the right decision:

If this is Giuliani’s coming-out party, he’s not alone. Mike Huckabee has been added to the CPAC agenda, a good event for the Arkansas governor. Newt Gingrich has signed up for the closing speech to the conservatives gathered there. Jim Gilmore, the former Governor of Virginia and a Presidential candidate who has not garnered much attention, will also deliver a speech. So far, no word on whether John McCain or Mitt Romney will become last-minute additions to the event, but their representatives will definitely be there.

This is a smart move for Giuliani. He needs to make his debut with conservative groups soon, before a meme of avoidance starts to gain traction. If my earlier experience with Giuliani gives any indication, he’ll shine there as he does anywhere he speaks live. Conservatives there will ask tough questions, and I’m interested to see if he decides to engage in a dialogue at CPAC rather than just a speech.

I’m hoping to talk to them all. I’ll be attending CPAC for the first time, blogging the event. Starting at 10:00 am on Thursday, I’ll be live at CPAC, attending the speeches and reporting on the developments at the conference. I’ll be especially interested in the appearances of Giuliani and Gingrich, but I’m looking forward to familiarizing myself and CQ readers with Gilmore, Huckabee, and others. Be sure to keep checking back with CQ for constant updates.

UPDATE: Mitt Romney will also appear at CPAC, on Friday. This is rapidly becoming the can’t-miss event for 2007. Glad I decided to go!