This is the third year US Republican conservative evangelicals are holding their GodBlogCon 2007.

This year, they’ve moved up in the world and have booked Las Vegas.

I guess the morality of putting money into a gambling capital alludes them, but it is scheduled to correspond with Blog World and New Media Expo. Yep. They’ve tapped into the commercial aspects of blogging in a way that wasn’t possible holding it the past two years at Biola University.

The site is graphics heavy, the usual speakers are featured, the sponsors are the same as last year. The only change in the lineup appears to be SBC’s Al Mohler, otherwise it appears to be the usual speakers covering the usual things. I don’t see Hugh Hewitt or his employer Salem Media who were founding members.

It will be held at the Vegas Convention Centre November 8,9, 2007, and encompasses three levels of the sponsoring conference. This is Vegas, it’s about maximizing your presence and your profit. There is Standard, Full Conference and E&E Conference.

Costs appear to range:

FULL CONFERENCE: (depending on how early you register)
$ 125
$ 175
$ 225

E&E CONFERENCE:
$ 500
$ 695
$ 895

If I am reading the BlogWorld requirements correctly, you must be 18 or older. No kids. The only new topic in GodBlogCon I found was the MySpace Generation. Attendees will get a GodBlogCon booklet: New Media Ministry: The Godblogger’s Toolkit” Booklet.

GodBlogCon recognizes the dramatic shift in media occurring as a result of New Media technology and the promise that it offers to Christians for cultural engagement and impact. It is the vision of GodBlogCon to equip and encourage GodBloggers as they engage culture by providing sessions relevant to both site content and technology. Furthermore, GodBlogCon recognizes the importance of community interaction in growing and maintaining a healthy body of individuals. Therefore, GodBlogCon seeks to continue to help foster real-life interaction between those within the GodBlogging community through these conferences. Today, GodBlogCon continues to do these things and is proud to carry on the vision and purpose of helping Christians to engage the culture well through New Media.

The term New Media is so yesterday, given the skills of some of the participants you’d think they could come up with something clearer.
I stand to be corrected; this event is not ecumenical, this is targeted at conservative evangelicals again, no Catholics, (Jimmy Akin participated last year) no mainstream church, one tech speaker, no Democrats.
The dominant group replacing Salem Media appears to the the Washington FotF Family Research Council.

The GodBlogCon costs with a BlogWorld pass appear to be:

Register Today and Save
GodblogCon 2007 is pleased to offer early bird discounts to our registrants, as well as additional savings for pastors and ministry leaders (see below):

+ August 3 for $125 (SAVE $55!)

+ October 19 for $150(Register Now)

+ After October 19 for $180

I’m unable to find accommodation arrangements and prices or travel assistance and prices.

This year’s speaker line-up represents a range of experience and understanding in both the old and the new media. Despite denominational differences, these Christians are united in their belief that the new media offers amazing potential for Christians to impact the culture—they recognize that the moment to engage in that project is now.

Well, that’s debatable. Here is the Wayback machine of last year’s GodBlogCon, and the 2005 GodBlogCon marketing and lineup.

The more things change the more they stay the same. This isn’t about who is welcome, it is about who isn’t. I have corresponded with some of the organizers over the years, they have been courteous, professional, and kind, I can’t say the same for some attendees who did not take appreciate BDBO posts.

Prior posts on past GodBlogCons
2005

Jeff Jarvis 2005
GodBlogCon 2005 (the blogging book was never written)
GodBlogCon 2005 How then shall we blog?
Trickle of bloggers sign up for GodBlogCon 2005

2006

GodBlogCon - shaping up at Bioloa U for 2006
Marketing Shtick - Two GodBlogCon heavyweights go at it
Trickle of religious bloggers sign up for 2nd GodBlogCon
GodBlogCon and the absentee liberals
Collective faith in the US blogosphere - GodBlogCon and Progressive Faith blog conference

Some GodBlogCon 2007 blogger mentions

Sit, Ubu Sit!
The Digital Sanctuary
Alex Chediak
Decently and in Order
Active Christian Media
Daily Inklings
Good Brownie

To date there are 36 Technorati listings for GodBlog 2007
The Progressive Faith BlogCon is planning for 2008 at Google groups.
This event is open to all people of faith and political persuasion, including evangelical Republicans. Blog