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The Atlanta Network of the Indian American Leadership Initiative (IALI) hosted its first annual Indian American political training and networking conference with high caliber political consultants and candidates on May 22 and 23. Presenters shared their insights and expert knowledge of what it takes to be a successful candidate and run a winning campaign.
Conference topics included; The 13 element of a successful campaign, Developing a Campaign Message, Fundraising Strategy, Grooming for Politics and Indian Americans in Politics.
Conference speakers included Rep. Alisha Thomas Morgan, Georgia House District 33; Paul Gage, Caucus Director, Georgia Senate Democrats; Kristen Oblander, President, Oblander Group L.L.C, campaign fundraising consultants; Allan Crow, Allan B. Crow Associates, campaign media consultants and Rahul Bali, WSB Radio News/Talk producer of Royal Treatment and Money Matters
Participant Neera Bahl, a legal assistant and volunteer for the Denise Majette campaign, found great value in the IALI training as it walked through the political process and showed exactly what needed to be done to run a campaign. Neera was inspired to come to the conference because of political apathy she sees in Indian Americans and Indian American women.
Govind Patel, candidate for US Senate, said the training would greatly help him in planning for his campaign and directing his message. Patel is motivated to work for the community and bring issues such as protection for small business owners and immigration to the forefront.
Students Samar Shah, Vandebilt University, and Ankur Trivedi, University of Georgia, said the conference was “awesome” and enjoyed the direct Q & A opportunities to gain from the experience of all the speakers. Samar hopes to bring everyday activism into Indian households and Ankur hopes to run for political office one day.
“I was thrilled to see the dynamic discussion that participants created throughout the conference,” said conference chairwoman, Dhruti Contractor. “My intentions for this conference were to give our community direct access to expertise of campaign politics and to promote our involvement with electoral politics in Georgia.”
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