Too often in life we don’t say “thank you,” and in the case of CPAC, it’s easy to take this remarkable event for granted. But in reality, putting on the three-day conference with 5,000 6,300 attendees and nearly 200 speakers is a monumental task that requires a year’s worth of planning.

This year the job fell to Lisa De Pasquale, who took over as CPAC director from Stacy Rumenap. I knew Lisa before she started working at the American Conservative Union. I had full confidence that she’d do a fabulous job, but she managed to exceed my expectations. With eight presidential candidates on the agenda (I’m counting Newt Gingrich), this year’s conference was anything but ordinary.

I spent most of my time at CPAC on Bloggers Row with many old friends and some new ones. CRC Public Relations hosted us this year, providing bloggers with meals, drinks and a top-notch photographer in Kristina Grabosky. Kudos to Greg Mueller and his great team.

So as we debate Ann Coulter’s comments and dissect the straw poll, let’s not forget about the people who make CPAC possible. As far as I’m concerned, there’s no better event for conservatives.