This is not the first time ZCG would be supporting Pauls efforts in DC. I’ll link to my thoughts on the subject:
The difference here is where PGP was less overtly a Zcash sponsored event it was still advocating for Zcash ideals.
I think this more bold approach ( headline Zcash sponsored event) is indicative of the overall shift in attitudes towards cryptocurrency in DC. Nowadays we even have Zooko giving talks to, and receiving hand written thank you notes from, members of the SEC.
My opinion in the other thread still stands for this proposal.