The American Israeli Public Affair Committee (AIPAC) works to inform Americans about the truth behind the complicated relationship that surrounds the Jewish state and their international partners. AIPAC policy conferences look to inform AIPAC members, mostly comprised of wealthy Jewish people and Christians for Jewish Independence members, on the current goals of AIPAC for the upcoming year. 

This national conference had 18000 attendees from all across the US. In addition to the attendees, there were around 100 contracted security guards, venue security and staff, 30 employed "suits" by AIPAC and Precision Events Management, 80 managerial "red shirts" who organized seperate events, and 427 "blue shirt" interns. While this was a massive conference, I definitely learned more about what was done incorrectly than what the management was prepared for. At the same time, I learned that no matter what disasters occur behind the scenes, attendees had nothing but praise for the sheer amount of help that student interns gave during the course of the conference. 

This year's conference was very different from mosts, as the event took place during a primary presidential election. All 2016 presidential candidates (except for the pro-Palestine candidate Bernie Sanders) came to the conference to speak to AIPAC members. This made for a tense aura for a few days of the conference, to say the least. The presence of protestors and secret service made many of the staff, interns, and attendees nervous and safe simultaneously. When communication was announced with the Israeli Prime Minister, security was ramped up yet again, making it seem more and more nerve-wracking to be employed at the event.

All in all, it was an experience I am glad that I have had, but it is definitely something I will never do again. I learned so much about how a political/government event is organized. This event was easily the best place to put my risk management skill to the test, but there was so much more to this conference than I would be willing to deal with for a living. Once in a lifetime, but never again.