The Pennsylvania Leadership Conference was founded in 1989 by a group of conservative activists, including
Charlie Gerow, Susan Staub, Jim Panyard,
Don Eberly, and John Fluharty, seeking to strengthen the conservative "grassroots lobby" in Pennsylvania. The first conference attracted 300 attendees and featured speakers including Congressmen
Robert Smith Walker and
Newt Gingrich and State Representatives
Joseph R. Pitts and
Howard L. Fargo. Due to
coronavirus pandemic, 2020's conference was held virtually. In 2025, the conference hosted former White House Press Secretary
Kayleigh McEnany. == Conference presidents and speakers ==