WAHSHINGTON (CBS4) – The largest annual gathering of conservatives is underway in Washington, DC this week and it will feature a keynote speech from a new South Florida congressman who has become a lightning rod of controversy.

Representative Allen West is expected to give a keynote speech to the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Saturday. CPAC speeches have been used to jumpstart a campaign for larger office or to further solidify a speaker’s conservative credentials.

Representative West is one of the rising stars in the “tea party” movement inside the Republican Party. He hasn’t shied away from any controversy and will likely provide a fiery speech to get the crowd going at CPAC.

The conference annually attracts the biggest names from the right wing including: Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty, Newt Gingrich, Texas Governor Rick Perry, Ann Coulter, Andrew Breitbart, and many others.

One notable absence at the conference will be U.S. Senator Marco Rubio. Last year, Rubio received a significant bump by giving a major speech at CPAC. This year, he instead will be attending the Pinellas Lincoln Day Dinner.