From their website:
In 1997, John Weis and his NYSMA colleagues joined forces to produce the first Leather Leadership Conference. Their goal was to produce training sessions for current and potential leaders of the SM/Leather/Fetish community. The first conference, held in NYC, drew more than 40 participants.
Elated, John sought input from others and continued the concept. In 1998 the LLC II conference, also in NYC, drew 125 people and produced two policy statements, “The Difference Between SM and Abuse” and “BDSM Education”.
In 1999, the conference moved to San Francisco, attracting approximately 275 participants. At the same time, the informal Board of Governors decided to formalize the organization. Leather Leadership Conference, Inc. was incorporated, and and its 501(c)(3) status was approved by the IRS in 2005 retroactively to 1999.
April 3-5 next year. I really want to go…
MV