2016 Watch: Bush to speak at major conservative conference

Add another big name to the growing list of possible 2016 GOP White House hopefuls who will speak at this year's Conservative Political Action Conference, a popular cattle call for Republicans considering bids for the White House.

The American Conservative Union, which runs the annual gathering, said Tuesday that former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush will address the conference, which this year will be held March 14-16.

"We are pleased to announce that my friend Governor Jeb Bush will be a featured speaker at CPAC 2013," said ACU Chairman Al Cardenas, in a statement. "We look forward to welcoming Governor Jeb Bush to the CPAC stage for the first time in March."

Bush, the younger brother of former President George W. Bush and son of former President George H.W. Bush, served two terms as governor of Florida, winning election in 1998 and re-election in 2002.

Five other Republicans also contemplating runs for the White House will also be speaking at CPAC: Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, who was last year's GOP vice presidential nominee, Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, who as a 2012 Republican presidential candidate battled Romney deep into the primary calendar, and Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin.

CPAC is the largest annual gathering of conservative leaders and activists, and it's boosted the presidential campaigns, or ambitions, of many Republican candidates. The annual CPAC GOP presidential nomination straw poll is considered a key gauge of conservative sentiment, and garners much media attention.

CPAC, which turns 40 this year, will be held for the first time at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center just outside Washington, in Prince George's County, Maryland. For years the conference was held at the Marriott Wardman Park hotel in the nation's capital.