In two weeks, progressives from across Minnesota will gather in St. Paul for a day and a half of panels, trainings, networking opportunities and keynotes--all in an effort to strategize and organize around progressive change.

Netroots Minnesota will be the premier kickoff to the critical conversations progressives will be having as we approach 2010, and today, Denise Cardinal, ABM's Executive Director announced a forum for Netroots Minnesota attendees to start the conversation with the candidates running for governor.

The Minnesota 2010 gubernatorial race will be one of the most-watched in the nation.

What should the race be about? How can a progressive win? What role will the Netroots play in the campaign?

These vital questions will be answered by some of the gubernatorial candidates themselves at Netroots Minnesota.

On Friday evening, November 20, DFL candidates for governor will join us at Netroots Minnesota to take questions directly from you. Get all the details and register at:

http://allianceminnesota.org/NetrootsForum

During a discussion moderated by Star Tribune writer Lori Sturdevant, the candidates will be asked questions solicited online via Twitter (using the hashtag #nmn09gov), Facebook, email, and in person.

This forum, sponsored by Alliance for a Better Minnesota Action Fund, is going to be one of the most interactive and engaging forums for the candidates to date -- be sure to register for Netroots Minnesota to get a front-row seat at this must-see-for-yourself political event.

We just released an updated conference agenda this morning, so take a minute to check out the sessions we have on tap and click here to reserve your spot at Netroots Minnesota.

Denise was really excited this morning to announce the first-ever Netroots Minnesota, a regional conference of the very successful Netroots Nation (formerly YearlyKos). Netroots Minnesota will include panels, workshops, caucuses, keynote speakers, and other creative sessions designed to educate, stimulate, and inspire the nation’s next generation of progressive leaders.

Check out the email announcement below:

Friend--

You know you're not alone in wanting to build progressive power in the state.

Over the next 12 months, we will be working hard to advocate for progressive policies. But in order to be effective, we're going to need to get the progressive grassroots and Netroots together to network and organize.

Join us, along with progressives from all over Minnesota, in St. Paul on November 20th and 21st for the first ever Netroots Minnesota conference.

We'll have captivating panels led by national and state experts, practical training sessions and workshops, and a gubernatorial candidate forum. This conference is the premier kickoff to the critical conversations progressives will be having as we approach 2010.

Declare your support for the Netroots community and register to attend Netroots Minnesota at NetrootsMinnesota.org.

Netroots Minnesota is modeled after the Netroots Nation conference (formerly known as the YearlyKos Convention). The Netroots have played a critical role in helping shape a progressive agenda over the last several years.

We hope to build upon that same success in Minnesota, and with the hotly contested 2010 gubernatorial race on the horizon, now is the time to start this important conversation. Through this conference we hope to strengthen our community, inspire action and serve as an incubator for ideas that challenge the status quo and ultimately affect change in the public sphere.

Don't be left out! Space is limited, so visit NetrootsMinnesota.org and reserve your spot today.

Thanks for all you do,

Denise

Denise Cardinal
Executive Director
Alliance for A Better Minnesota

P.S. If you use Twitter, be sure to follow @NetrootsMN and #nmn09 for all the latest news!

P.P.S. If you're a progressive organization looking for an opportunity to connect with technologically savvy and politically informed Minnesotans, click here to learn about conference sponsorship opportunities.