Everything you need to know about the CPAC conference

Program Note: Don't miss our reports from CPAC tonight on AC360° at 10 p.m. ET.

Dick Cheney made a surprise appearance Thursday at CPAC.

AC360°

Conservative activists from across the country spent the first day of the annual CPAC convention discussing policy, blasting the Obama administration and plotting a return to power in November.

The three-day Conservative Political Action Conference features speeches from national political leaders, potential 2012 Republican presidential candidates, 2010 candidates, and the likes of conservative Hollywood-types such as actor Stephen Baldwin.

Opening day speakers included Florida Senate candidate Marco Rubio, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, anti-tax advocate Grover Norquist and Liz Cheney.

Go here for information about the conference, including a list of speakers, what's on the agenda for each day and a list of sponsors.

And follow all of our CPAC reporting here...