NEW ORLEANS -- The Southern Republican Leadership Conference kicks off here tonight and serves as the unofficial launch of the 2012 presidential election season. Republican activists from around the country are descending on the Hilton New Orleans Riverside with newfound energy the party's lacked in the last two election cycles.

One of tonight's featured speakers is Newt Gingrich, who helped usher in the Republican Revolution in 1994. His speech tonight will focus on how Republicans get back to power in 2010.

"To win in 2010 and 2012, it's not enough to say no to the radical agenda of Obama, Pelosi, and Reid," Gingrich said in a released statement. "Tonight's speech will explain why real leadership requires Republicans to offer a compelling vision of safety, prosperity, and freedom that stands in vivid contrast to Obama's secular, socialist, machine now running Washington."

Gingrich is rumored to be considering a run for president. Other featured speakers over the next few days who are considering bids include Sarah Palin, Rick Perry, Ron Paul, Rick Santorum and Haley Barbour. However, Tim Pawlenty,Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee will not attend.

Liz Cheney and Mary Matalin are scheduled to speak tonight. Palin, Perry, Bobby Jindal and Tony Perkins, head of the Family Research Council, are speaking Friday. And Saturday features speeches from Barbour, Paul, Santorum, RNC Chair Michael Steele and House GOP Conference Chair Mike Pence.