2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

2008 Republican National Convention Names ShadowTV Official Broadcast Monitoring Provider

2008 Republican National Convention Names ShadowTV Official Broadcast Monitoring Provider
Service to deliver real-time notification of convention coverage across the nation

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - To help monitor the massive amounts of media coverage expected during the 2008 Republican National Convention, President & CEO Maria Cino today announced ShadowTV, Inc., as the convention's Official Broadcast Monitoring Provider.

"The excitement and energy of the 2008 Republican National Convention will be documented by 15,000 journalists from around the world - making it second only to the Olympics in terms of press coverage," Cino said. "It is important that we have the technology to document the broadcast coverage of the convention, and ShadowTV will help us track what the broadcast media is saying about it."

As the Official Broadcast Monitoring Provider, ShadowTV will provide the convention with digital, continuous access to live and archived broadcast coverage of the 2008 Republican National Convention. ShadowTV's patent-pending technology will provide the convention with real-time notification when convention-related news is reported by any of the more than 250 television stations ShadowTV monitors across the nation.

"The real-time capability of ShadowTV is second-to-none," Cino added. "And the digital technology will go a long way toward our promise of a greener convention as we avoid the necessity of using non-recyclable video tapes."

"We are proud the Republican National Convention selected us as the official video monitoring service for this high profile event," said Joachim Kim, ShadowTV's founder and President. "Our real-time alerts and ability to search live broadcasts and years of archives from around the country will allow the 2008 Republican National Convention staff to immediately identify and pass along important news coverage to all appropriate contacts."

About ShadowTV
ShadowTV® is a new patent pending streaming video service. It was developed from the ground up to manipulate video for efficient delivery via the Internet. ShadowTV can provide all-digital continuous-access to live and archived television content via the web. It enables financial institutions, advertising agencies, PR agencies and other corporations to monitor televised news and commercials for financial reports, competitive intelligence, and shareholder relations. ShadowTV can be found online at www.shadowtv.com.

About the Republican National Convention
The 2008 Republican National Convention will be held at Saint Paul's Xcel Energy Center from Sept. 1-4, 2008. Approximately 45,000 delegates, alternate delegates, volunteers, members of the media and other guests are expected to attend the convention. Minneapolis-Saint Paul is expected to receive an estimated $150-$160 million positive economic boost from the four-day event. For more information about the 2008 Republican National Convention, please visit our website at www.GOPConvention2008.com and join our social network sites on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and YouTube.

Roseville's Blackstone Named Winner Of The "Wave The Stars & Stripes" Essay Contest

ROSEVILLE’S VICTORIA BLACKSTONE NAMED ‘WAVE THE STARS & STRIPES’ ESSAY CONTEST WINNER
St. Agnes freshman to lead convention event in Pledge of Allegiance;
Essay contest entries to be sent to Minnesota Guard in Iraq

(SAINT PAUL, Minn.) – The 2008 Republican National Convention, and its partners: the Saint Paul Pioneer Press, Microsoft Corp. and Qwest Telecommunications International, Inc., today announced that Victoria Blackstone, 15, from Roseville, Minn., is the winner of the "Wave the Stars & Stripes" essay contest.

Blackstone, a freshman at St. Agnes School in Saint Paul, will lead an official convention event in the Pledge of Allegiance during the week of Sept. 1-4. Her 434-word essay, “Pledging Myself to the Flag of the United States of America,” won out over a group of ten finalists.

Mark Rugnetta, 13, an eighth-grader at Eagle Ridge Junior High School from Savage, Minn., was named runner-up with his 337-word essay entitled “Colors on Cloth.”

Both Blackstone’s and Rugnetta’s essays will be published in the June 15 edition of the Pioneer Press. Each student will also receive laptop computers provided by Qwest and Xbox 360 systems from Microsoft.

“We congratulate Victoria and Mark on having the best essays among the hundreds of students in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul community who chose to accept our challenge to be creative and share with us what the American Flag means to them,” said Jo Ann Davidson, convention Chairman and contest judge. “I look forward to seeing Victoria perform her role in an historic Republican National Convention – one where the world will tune in to witness our party’s nomination of Sen. John McCain and the launch of his final path to the White House.”

Essays from the ten finalists were presented to the Saint Paul Central Library, site of today’s announcement, for display. In addition, all “Wave the Stars & Stripes” entries are to be sent to members of the 851st Vertical Engineer Company of the Minnesota National Guard, who are now serving in Iraq.

“We are sending these essays to the 851st so that they can know what the students of Minneapolis-Saint Paul have to say about the American Flag,” Davidson said.

Ten finalists were selected from the hundreds of entries from the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area and judged by a local panel.. Davidson was joined by Rachel Stassen-Berger, political reporter for the Pioneer Press; John Sampson, Director of Federal Government Affairs of Microsoft Corp.; John Stanoch, Qwest Minnesota President; former Minneapolis City Councilman, Brig. Gen. Denny Schulstad (USAF, Retired); Chas Anderson, Deputy Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education; and Leah McLean, KSTP news anchor.

All finalists will receive a package of education software from Microsoft, in addition to Zune media players. The remaining finalists are:

• Erin Cichanski (Maple Grove, Minn.), 13, Maple Grove Junior High School, Grade 7
• Thomas D’Agostino (Woodbury, Minn.), 14, Saint Ambrose of Woodbury, Grade 7
• Christopher Fiore (Lakeville, Minn.), 16, Christian Life School, Grade 10
• Katharine Golightly (Saint Paul, Minn.), 17, Faith Baptist Christian School, Grade 11
• Brendan Halleron (Victoria, Minn.), 16, Holy Family Catholic High School, Grade 10
• Emily Hoffmann (Minnetonka, Minn.), 16, Holy Family Catholic High School, Grade 11
• Sandra Opokua (Saint Paul, Minn.), 15, Cleveland Junior High School, Grade 8
• Sam Roden (Eden Prairie, Minn.), 15, home schooled, Grade 8

The contest was open to schoolchildren, grades 7-12, from the local seven-county area of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington counties. The 500-word essays answered the question: "What does the American Flag mean to you?" In keeping with the convention's promise to be the greenest in GOP history, entries were collected electronically through the convention's website: www.GOPConvention2008.com and through the Pioneer Press' website: www.TwinCities.com.

Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee Seeks Volunteers For Republican National Convention

MINNEAPOLIS SAINT PAUL 2008 HOST COMMITTEE SEEKS VOLUNTEERS FOR REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION
10,000 Volunteers Needed, Nearly 4,000 Already Signed Up

MINNEAPOLIS SAINT PAUL, MINN. (June 9, 2008) – With Minneapolis Saint Paul continuing to make headlines as the 2008 Republican National Convention nears, the MSP 2008 Host Committee announced today that it has signed up almost 4,000 of the 10,000 volunteers needed for the Convention. Volunteer applications will be accepted through the end of June.

Volunteers will perform key duties in the areas of transportation, information services, hospitality and special events at various locations before, during and after the Convention, which will be held September 1-4 at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minn.

“It’s been 116 years since Minnesota hosted a national political convention and now is the perfect time for Minnesotans to get involved in this history-making event,” said Cynthia Lesher, President of the Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee. “We have always shared a great pride in our state and we now have the unique opportunity to showcase all that is great about Minnesota through many exciting and fun opportunities that will occur during the Convention.”

About 1,000 volunteers are needed for CivicFest, which will be held at the Minneapolis Convention Center from August 29 to September 4, 2008 and will feature more than 35 world-class exhibits, including a replica of the Oval Office, a model White House, exhibits dedicated to Minnesota business and innovation, and more.

“The eyes of the nation will be upon us in September and we are looking for help from Minnesotans to make this Convention memorable for the 45,000 people expected to come to Minneapolis and Saint Paul,” said Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak. “It is time to roll out the red carpet and show our guests the type of hospitality that Minnesotans are famous for.”

The Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee will continue to host volunteer sign-up events throughout the metro area as part of their volunteer recruitment effort.

“This is the chance to not only witness history, but also to participate in it,” said Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman. “This is truly an opportunity to be an ambassador for your community to promote all that Minneapolis Saint Paul has to offer.”

Prospective volunteers can apply online at www.msp2008.com/volunteer where they will complete a secure, online application consisting of personal information and a summary of their skills and experience. All applicants must be 18 years-of- age or older and must be willing to undergo a security background check as well as attend orientation and training sessions conducted by Convention organizers.

Monster, the leading global online careers and recruitment resource and flagship brand of Monster Worldwide, Inc., created the online volunteer recruitment portion of the Web site.

2008 Republican National Convention Names Microsoft Official Technology Provider

2008 Republican National Convention Names Microsoft Official Technology Provider

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Once again highlighting its commitment to holding the most technologically-savvy convention in Republican Party history, the 2008 Republican National Convention today named Microsoft Corporation as its Official Technology Provider.

"Microsoft stands as one of America's success stories, always at the leading edge of technology," convention President and CEO Maria Cino said. "Our goal has always been to make our convention the most exciting, energetic, and tech-savvy in GOP history, and Microsoft will play an important role in helping us achieve our objectives."

Under the agreement, Microsoft will provide the convention with support for various products, including Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Forefront Security Suite, and its Office Communications Server. Microsoft will also provide knowledge to streamline collaboration using the Microsoft Office suite and Sharepoint technologies to manage convention infrastructure ranging from collaborative virtual workspaces to applications like Professional Volunteer Management System, Venue Scheduling System, and others created by SharePoint. The electronic collaboration will improve staff efficiency and reduce paper usage - a key provision of the convention's green commitment.

In addition, Microsoft is proud to be showcasing the next generation of computing, using Microsoft Surface and its natural user interface technology to provide a digital concierge for convention participants. Surface will enable attendees to interact with and consume the latest convention and local city information, including transportation routes, hotel locations, restaurant guides, and entertainment options. Convention participants will also be able to transmit and share photos taken at the convention using Surface technologies. Microsoft and the convention will continue to find ways to leverage Microsoft's technologies and experienced support teams to make the convention the most tech-savvy in history.

"Microsoft welcomes the opportunity to provide software and technology services to the Republican National Convention, and to work with convention staff to develop new ways to engage delegates and voters," said Brad Smith, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Microsoft. "Technology plays an increasingly important role in America's political discourse and Microsoft is proud to be helping foster increased interactivity for voters during this election year."

About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

About the Republican National Convention
The 2008 Republican National Convention will be held at Saint Paul's Xcel Energy Center from Sept. 1-4, 2008. Approximately 45,000 delegates, alternate delegates, volunteers, members of the media and other guests are expected to attend the convention. Minneapolis-Saint Paul is expected to receive an estimated $150-$160 million positive economic boost from the four-day event.

Statement from the Republican National Convention On Senator Obama's Visit Today To St. Paul

STATEMENT FROM 2008 REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION SPOKESMAN MATT BURNS ON SEN. OBAMA'S VISIT TODAY TO SAINT PAUL, MINN.:

"The Xcel Energy Center hasn't hosted anyone who skates and flips as much as Senator Obama since the U.S. Figure Skating Championships were in town and the Minnesota Wild were eliminated from the hockey playoffs. We look forward to Senator McCain's visit to Saint Paul in September, where he will accept our party's nomination and offer a more substantive vision for leading America forward than the spectacle witnessed tonight."

Convention Veteran Tapped to Lead Official Proceedings At The 2008 Republican National Convention

Convention Veteran Tapped to Lead Official Proceedings
Kahler's 'veteran leadership' will be asset, says convention CEO

(SAINT PAUL, Minn.) - Adding 20 years of experience to a key position, 2008 Republican National Convention President and CEO Maria Cino today announced the appointment of Rachel Card Kahler as the Director of Official Proceedings.

This is Kahler's fifth GOP convention, having served in various operations roles in the Houston (1992), San Diego (1996), and Philadelphia (2000) conventions; and as Deputy Director of Operations at the New York convention in 2004.

"Rachel's veteran leadership will be an asset to our convention planning, as we prepare for the most exciting and energetic convention in Republican history," Cino said. "The official proceedings of our convention are key to presenting Sen. John McCain's vision to the world, and successfully launching him on to the White House."

Kahler's responsibilities include the line-by-line production of the convention, including the scheduling of participants and working with the convention's executive producer to run the official program. Kahler will manage a staff of more than 50 people who will ensure the proper following of parliamentary procedures in the nomination of Sen. McCain and the Republican vice-presidential candidate, and the adoption of the rules and platform of the Republican National Committee for the next four years.

"Our convention will be the center of the political universe, and I am honored to have a role in helping nominate Sen. McCain," Kahler said. "I am very proud to be a Republican, and very proud to do my part in presenting our party, and our presidential nominee, to the people of America and the world."

A lifelong Republican, Kahler began her career in politics at the age of four, gathering signatures for her father, former White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card, in his run for the Massachusetts State House of Representatives.

All Systems Go 100 days until Republican National Convention

'All Systems Go' As GOP Convention Marks 100 Days Out
Convention staff, local leaders ready to make
Minneapolis-Saint Paul 'center of the politicaluniverse'

(SAINT PAUL, Minn.) - Observing an important milestone, 2008 Republican National Convention President and CEO Maria Cino today marked the 100-day-out threshold, saying the convention and the host cities of Minneapolis-Saint Paul will be ready to make history when the gavel drops at the Xcel Energy Center on Sept. 1, 2008.

"With 100 days remaining until the gavel drops at the Xcel Energy Center, I am pleased to report our planning remains on track and that we will be ready for all systems go," Cino said. "In September, the world will see a successful convention and that is due to the commitment and professionalism of not only our convention staff, but the local community leaders who have been great partners in this effort."

As convention planning moves into its final 100 days, convention staff, the MSP 2008 Host Committee, and local leaders continue to finalize plans which will place Minneapolis-Saint Paul on the world stage.

"In 100 days, the eyes of the nation and the world will focus on Minneapolis-Saint Paul as Sen. John McCain is formally nominated as our party's candidate for president," Cino said. "It is the pinnacle moment in a process that began nearly two years ago, and will result in the most exciting and energetic convention in Republican Party history."

Xcel Energy Center

The design of the podium continues under the auspices of Executive Producer David J. Nash. Nash, a veteran of Broadway and television award shows, is back for his fifth-consecutive Republican National Convention.

Build-out plans for the Xcel Energy Center, the Saint Paul RiverCentre and the Roy Wilkins Auditorium are being finalized by Freeman Company, a worldwide leader in convention-related services. Freeman, with offices in 41 cities across America, is the lead contractor for the Republican National Convention for the fifth time. Implementation begins on July 21, 2008.

Media Operations

The convention's media operations division is allocating more than 450,000 square feet of working space for the anticipated 15,000 members of the media who will cover the 2008 Republican National Convention - ranking it just behind the Olympics in terms of media interest. The space to be allocated is the equivalent of nearly eight National Football League (NFL) playing fields.

Earlier this week, the convention hosted media representatives from across the nation to brief them on the media operations planning for the convention. The briefing included a tour of the media positions and workspace that will be available to journalists from around the world.

Hotels

The 2008 Republican National Convention has identified and announced the host hotels for the 56 Republican delegations that will nominate Sen. McCain as the GOP's candidate for President of the United States, as well as the host hotel for the Republican National Committee: the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis. All told, the convention has secured more than 16,000 rooms in 101 area hotels.

Transportation

The convention is working with Transportation Management Services (TMS) to develop a comprehensive transportation plan for the 45,000 convention guests expected in Minneapolis-Saint Paul. TMS is working its third Republican convention.

TMS and the convention transportation staff are developing the GOP Express, a system of more than 300 buses that will transport credentialed guests and media to and from official hotels and the Xcel Energy Center.

The Republican National Convention has also partnered with Northwest Airlines. NWA is the Official Airline and will bring thousands of delegates, alternate delegates, Republican Party leaders, members of the media, and convention guests to Minneapolis-Saint Paul.

Local Support

The convention and host committee enjoy close working relationships with a bipartisan group of local, state, and federal government leaders, including Gov. Tim Pawlenty; Sens. Norm Coleman and Amy Klobuchar; and Mayors R.T. Rybak (Minneapolis), Chris Coleman (Saint Paul), and Gene Winstead (Bloomington).

The MSP 2008 Host Committee has also notched several successes leading up to the 100-day-out mark. In an effort to welcome the 45,000 expected visitors and increase traffic to Minnesota businesses, the host committee launched the More to Minnesota GOParty Card which will offer up to 20 percent discounts and special deals from participating Minnesota businesses from August 23 until September 7 as an additional incentive to come early and stay longer.

CivicFest: A Very Minnesota Celebration, a one-of-a-kind event celebrating Minnesota and American history, democracy and the U.S. Presidency, is being organized by the host committee. The event, produced by high-profile event veteran Gerard McTernan, will be held Aug. 29 - Sept. 4, 2008, at the Minneapolis Convention Center. More than 150,000 people are expected to attend CivicFest, which will be open to the general public.

To gather the 8,000 volunteers needed to help put on the convention, MSP 2008 is partnering with Monster.com to create and power the official online recruitment section of the official host committee website: www.MSP2008.com.

Community Service: American Neighbor

Since arriving in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, the 2008 Republican National Convention has made community involvement a key program in convention preparations.

In Sept. 2007, the convention established the American Neighbor Volunteer Program, a service initiative aimed at giving back to the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area and inspiring Republicans across the nation to take action in their own communities. In keeping with Sen. McCain's call to "serving a cause greater than one's own self-interest," convention staff have totaled more than 375 volunteer hours benefitting the host cities.

More information on the American Neighbor Volunteer Program can be found at: GOPConvention2008.com/news/Read.aspx?ID=477.

Green Convention

The 2008 Republican National Convention has maintained its commitment to being the most environmentally-friendly convention in party history by undertaking several initiatives to reduce waste. Reflecting Sen. McCain's record of "common sense stewardship," convention staff work in an energy efficient office which has been outfitted with recycled furnishings and most live within walking distance of their workplace.

Through its Official Vehicle Provider, General Motors, the convention will more than 300 alternative fuel/hybrid vehicles to transport staff, members of the Republican National Committee, and government leaders.

The convention staff and host committee have reduced the amount of paper by adopting electronic systems for communication, volunteer recruitment, and hotel booking.

As part of its volunteer initiative, the convention took part in the annual Earth Day cleanup of the Minneapolis watershed. More on the convention's green efforts can be found at: GOPConvention2008.com/features/greenfactsheet.pdf.

Technologically Savvy Convention

As part of its commitment to hold the most technologically savvy convention in GOP history, the convention established www.GOPConvention2008.com to provide more information and greater interactive capabilities, including video features, user-generated content, and a convention blog.

In addition, the convention has partnered with Google Inc. to propel it to the forefront of the digital age. As Official Innovation Provider, Google is enhancing the GOP's online presence with new applications, search tools, and interactive video. In addition, Google is helping generate buzz and excitement in advance of the convention through its proven online marketing techniques.

The convention's YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/gopconvention2008) is enabling visitors to upload, view, and share online videos. These innovative technologies are helping the GOP streamline convention organization and expand its online reach.

Americans will have a front-row seat to the convention through the Official Live Video Streaming Provider, Ustream.TV. In addition to live gavel-to-gavel coverage of the convention, the Ustream.TV broadcasting platform will feature live video chats and online interviews of convention and other Republican officials.

Images Of The American Presidency Exhibition At The Minneapolis Institute Of Arts

Images of the American Presidency Exhibition at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts to Coincide with the Republican National Convention

“Hail to the Chief” Features Paintings, Sculpture, Prints, Photographs, and Decorative Arts Representing Our Country’s Presidency from George Washington to George W. Bush

Minneapolis, May 21, 2008—Beginning August 2, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts (MIA) will present an exhibition on our nation’s presidential history through art and artifacts. Featuring paintings, sculpture, prints, photographs, posters, manuscripts, and decorative arts, “Hail to the Chief” represents our country’s presidents from George Washington to George W. Bush. This exhibition is organized by the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. “Hail to the Chief” will be on view at the MIA from August 2 through September 21.

“This presidential-themed exhibition is fitting for an historical moment for our state and country,” said Brian Palmer, Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. “We want to welcome the thousands of people from around the world who will be here in September for the Republican National Convention—delegates, media, and others--in a way only this museum can offer.”

Envisioned as a non-political, bipartisan exhibition, “Hail to the Chief: Images of the American Presidency” draws from major private collections of American presidential material and the museum’s varied permanent collections. More than seventy objects will bring together the artistic and historical focuses of these collections.

“We applaud the Minneapolis Institute of Arts for embracing its role as one of the region’s most important cultural institutions during a time of historical significance,” said Cynthia Lesher, President of the 2008 Minneapolis-Saint Paul Host Committee for the Republican National Convention. “This will compliment CivicFest as another way to give Minnesotans an opportunity to join in the festivities around the Convention.”

Highlights from the private collection include an excellent example of the United States President’s flag believed to be from the Kennedy-Johnson administration. Recently restored and mounted, this flag is richly embroidered with the American presidential seal and is trimmed in gold and silver bullion fringe. Also featured will be an assortment of political convention badges from the past 100-plus years, each a work of art in itself. An exceptional example is a gold delegate pin probably dating from the late nineteenth century, in the form of an eagle holding banners reading “Republican National Convention.” This pin was made by prominent silver firm of Mermod, Jaccard and Co. of St. Louis, whose work was featured in the 1893 and 1904 World’s Fairs.

Material from the MIA’s permanent collection includes John Frederick Peto’s Reminiscences of 1865 (after 1900), which features a portrait of Abraham Lincoln. Others are significant works rarely on view, including Hiram Power’s Bust of George Washington (1853) depicting our first president in Neoclassical drapery. This sculptural portrait graced the interior of the obelisk-shaped Foshay Tower, Minneapolis’s architectural homage to Washington, when the building was finished in 1929.

Showcasing the power of presidential appeal during wartime are a selection of posters from the First and Second World Wars, culled from the museum’s Department of Prints and Drawings. Various photographs, including works by Edward Steichen and Arnold Newman, of modern presidents Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1938) and John F. Kennedy (1953), respectively, show both contemplative and personal sides of our nation’s Commanders-in-Chief.

Curators for this exhibition are Dennis Michael Jon, Acting Co-Curator of Prints and Drawings at the MIA, and Jennifer Komar Olivarez, Associate Curator of Architecture, Design, Decorative Arts, Craft and Sculpture at the MIA.

About the Minneapolis Institute of Arts

The Minneapolis Institute of Arts (MIA), home to one of the finest encyclopedic art collections in the country, houses more than 80,000 works of art representing 5,000 years of world history. Highlights of the permanent collection include European masterworks by Rembrandt, Poussin, and van Gogh; modern and contemporary painting and sculpture by Picasso, Matisse, Mondrian, Stella, and Close; as well as internationally significant collections of prints and drawings, decorative arts, Modernist design, photographs, textiles, and Asian, African, and Native American art. General admission is always free. Some special exhibitions have a nominal admission fee. Museum hours: Sunday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; Monday closed. For more information, call (612) 870-3131 or visit www.artsmia.org.

2008 Republican National Convention Hosts Media Walk-Through

2008 Republican National Convention Hosts Media Walk-Through

Hundreds tour Xcel Energy Center to get close-up look of 450,000 sq. ft. work area

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - The 2008 Republican National Convention today welcomed hundreds of news media representatives to the Xcel Energy Center for an informational briefing and tour of the convention complex. The Committee on Arrangements, the MSP 2008 Host Committee, and other local officials are rapidly preparing to accommodate the 15,000 members of the media expected in Minneapolis-Saint Paul for the nominating convention.

 
"In just over 100 days our convention will showcase the Republican party's strong, united message as we nominate Sen. John McCain to be the next President of the United States," said convention President and CEO Maria Cino. "Through new and traditional mediums, the news media will play a critical role in sharing our party's message with millions of Americans, and billions more around the world."
This is the second media walk-through in the year leading up to the convention. In December 2007, the convention hosted an initial briefing and walk-through of the full convention complex, including the Xcel Energy Center and media workspace that will be developed in the neighboring Saint Paul RiverCentre convention center and Roy Wilkins Auditorium.
"The convention staff is in the process of allocating more than 450,000 square feet of working space for the anticipated 15,000 members of the media who will cover the 2008 Republican National Convention - ranking it just behind the Olympics in the level of media interest," said Director of Communications Matt Burns. "When Senator McCain takes to the podium in September to accept our party's nomination, the entire world will truly be watching - and we look forward to that historic moment."
Today's walk-through and informational briefing addressed the issuance of media credentials and provided an opportunity for members of the media to view their broadcast suites and positions in the Xcel Energy Center as well as their assigned workspace in the neighboring Saint Paul RiverCentre and Roy Wilkins Auditorium.

 
"Throughout the last five months, convention staff has worked closely with the media to finalize and prepare each organization's credentials, assign on-site workspace, and accommodate all housing requirements," said Mike Miller, the convention Director of Operations. "We look forward to working with the media throughout the next three months to finalize all remaining details."
Convention staff has already completed contracts with more than 100 hotels and nearly 50 venues throughout Saint Paul, Minneapolis, and Bloomington that will host convention guests and official events. From the 45,000 expected guests and participants, the host cities of Minneapolis-Saint Paul are projected to receive an estimated $150-$160 million positive economic boost. To date, more than 70 convention staff reside in the host cities and are contributing to the local economy. In addition, pre-convention guests have already logged an impressive 1,200 nights in area hotels.

The Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee Unveils Official Apparel For 2008 Republican National Convention At Mall Of America Fashion Show

The Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee Unveils Official Apparel for 2008 Republican National Convention At Mall Of America Fashion Show

Nonpartisan, Bipartisan and Official Convention Merchandise to be Modeled by Local Dignitaries

ST. PAUL, MINN. (May 13, 2008) – Official Convention merchandise for the 2008 Republican National Convention in Minneapolis Saint Paul was unveiled today at a runway fashion show at Mall of America. 

The fashion show featured a variety of nonpartisan, bipartisan and Convention logo merchandise including polos, T-shirts, jackets, hats, ties and more. In addition, a commemorative Convention T-shirt featuring a hand-painted, watercolor effect of the Twin Cities skyline was also unveiled. The official merchandise was worn by local dignitaries including Bloomington Mayor Gene Winstead and event emcees Maria Cino, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the 2008 Republican National Convention; and Cyndi Lesher, President of the Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee.  FM107’s Polichicks – Annette Meeks (a Republican) and Cathie Hartnett (a Democrat, who sported a T-shirt “Democrats for the Republican National Convention”) also participated in the event.

“Today’s unveiling of our convention’s official merchandise represents another important step in planning the most exciting convention in Republican Party history,” Cino said. “With less than 120 days until the gavel drops, we encourage our supporters to click online and check out our convention gear.  After all, did the convention ever really happen if you don’t have the T-shirt to prove it?”

St. Croix Promotions & Retail Inc., the official master vendor and licensee of the 2008 Republican National Convention, was chosen after a national search. The woman-owned, local company will produce official logo merchandise that will be available at many retail locations including:  MSP Airport, Mall of America, Xcel Energy Center, selected delegation hotels and a 6,000 square-foot CivicFest Mega Store. Official Convention logo merchandise will also be available online at www.msp2008.com and www.civicfest.org.

“It has been 116 years since Minnesota has hosted a political convention and this is an opportunity for all Minnesotans to own a part of history regardless of their political affiliation,” said Lesher. “We wanted to give Minnesotans a sneak peek at all the fun and creative clothing and items that are now available on our Web site for the 2008 Republican National Convention.”

More than 45,000 individuals, including 15,000 media, are expected to attend the Convention. In addition, more than 150,000 people are expected to attend CivicFest, a nearly 300,000 square-foot event celebrating Minnesota and American history, democracy and the U.S. presidency. CivicFest will be held in conjunction with the Convention from August 29 to September 4, 2008, and will be open to the general public.

The Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee is the nonprofit, nonpartisan entity charged with promoting the commerce, image and prestige of Minnesota in preparation for the 2008 Republican National Convention. The last national political convention in Minnesota was the Republican National Convention held in 1892.

The 2008 Republican National Convention will be held September 1-4 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn.