June, 2008 In This Issue: • DNCC Welcomes Team Obama to Convention HQ • NO CREDENTIALS REQUIRED: Back-to-Back Forums Highlight Convention Opportunities • And the Winners Are… • Delegate Event to Recognize the Spirit of New Orleans • Concierge Corner: Double Your Fun at the Doubletree Denver Tech Center • Convention Destinations: Mount Evans – “Let’s take the Scenic Route” • Calendar of Events Special Links: • Register Now • Forward this to a friend • About the DNCC

DNCC Welcomes Team Obama to Convention HQ

With the primary season behind us and Senator Barack Obama’s emergence as the presumptive nominee, Convention preparations have entered the final phase. With a solid operational infrastructure in place, we are now turning our focus toward shaping the programmatic and thematic aspects of the Convention to reflect Senator Obama’s vision for the country and what he will accomplish on behalf of the American people.

Last week, Obama political director Matt Nugen was named as the official campaign liaison to the 2008 Democratic National Convention. We were pleased to welcome Matt to Denver and will continue to integrate with his team in the weeks ahead. Working together, we look forward to finalizing plans for our Party's Convention and to ensuring that the program put forth from Denver reflects Senator Obama's vision for America.

In addition to our new arrivals from Chicago, the DNCC continues to expand across all departments, with more than 100 individuals currently on staff – many from Colorado and neighboring states throughout the region. It’s a true team effort, with everyone continuing to help shape our planning each and every day.

 

NO CREDENTIALS REQUIRED: Back-to-Back Forums Highlight Convention Opportunities

After traveling more than 3,500 miles and visiting eight cities throughout the Intermountain West, the DNCC completed its series of “Convention Conversations” community forums with back-to-back events last week in downtown Denver. In a series of video announcements, DNCC CEO Leah D. Daughtry and members of the senior management team unveiled official events that will allow Denver-area residents and the general public to participate in the Convention experience.

	Interfaith Gathering Hosted by the DNC’s Faith in Action Initiative The DNCC will kick-off Convention week in a spirit of unity with an interfaith gathering on Sunday, August 24th, at 2:00 PM in the Wells Fargo Theater at the Colorado Convention Center – the first time a celebration of this nature has been part of a Convention. The gathering is symbolic of the Party’s desire to bring multiple communities together under its “big tent” and will include clergy of different faiths, Party leaders, elected officials and local community leaders. The event will be open to the public.
	Daily Convention Schedule and Transportation Interested to know what delegates will do each day before heading to the primetime event at the Pepsi Center? Cameron Moody, Deputy CEO for Outside the Hall Operations, breaks down a “day in the life” of a delegate, including an overview of the many different caucus and council meetings taking place at Colorado Convention Center. Watch to learn more about the schedule, how you can get involved and how delegates will get around town.
	Delegates Volunteer at Service Sites Around Denver In an effort to give back to the Denver community hosting this historic Convention, delegates from across the country will come together to participate in a “Delegate Service Day” activity on Wednesday, August 27th. In this video, Jenni Engebretsen, Deputy CEO for Public Affairs, describes the DNCC’s commitment to effecting positive change in the community and talks about some of the ways in which delegates and Convention guests will make lasting contributions to the greater Denver area.
	Community Open House at the Pepsi Center Curious about what the inside of the Pepsi Center will look like during the Convention? Meet Travis Dredd, Deputy CEO for Inside Hall Operations, as he discusses the amazing transformation of the Pepsi Center from sports arena to Convention hall and the installation of cutting-edge technology we have in the works. Travis also unveils a unique opportunity for Denver residents to be one of the first to see the Convention hall and podium where Barack Obama will make history in just a few short months!
	Online Streaming of the Convention Do you want to watch the Convention from the comfort of your living room, in your office or at your favorite coffee shop? Aaron Myers, Director of Online Communications, and Brook Colangelo, Director of Technology, explain how the Convention is coming to your living room—literally. Click here to learn more about how you can catch all the action of the Convention live, from gavel-to-gavel and in HD right on your computer, from across town or across the world.

Note: While all but the Delegate Service Day are open to the public, registration or advanced ticketing is required in some cases. Further information will be released in August and posted on DemConvention.com

 

And the Winners Are…

Out of a sizeable pool of nearly 1,200 applicants, 54 middle and high school students from across Colorado were announced last month as finalists in the “Write to Lead” youth essay contest. Finalists will serve as ambassadors to state and territorial delegations, while two Presidential Winners – one middle and one high school student – will attend the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver.

After an extensive review process, Jared Jolton, an eighth-grade student at Colorado Academy in Denver, and Mari Tanabe, an eleventh-grade student at Manitou Springs High School, in Manitou Springs, Colo. were chosen as our Presidential Winners. Judges concluded that the themes in their essays, titled “In Front of the Pack” and “Restless for Change” respectively, best captured the spirit of this year’s historic election and spoke eloquently on the topic of leadership and the future of our country. Jared and Mari will attend opening night of the Convention and receive a laptop from Qwest to help with future writing projects.

The names, hometowns and schools of all 54 student winners and the complete essays from the Presidential Winners are posted on DemConvention.com and also ran in a full-page ad in the Denver Post on June 8th. All finalists are now corresponding with their assigned state and territorial delegations in the lead-up to the Convention via a “Postcards from Colorado” campaign, sharing key facts, favorite destinations and other tips in advance of delegates’ arrival in Denver. Note to state delegation chairs: mail is on the way!

Delegate Event to Recognize the Spirit of New Orleans

In an effort to drive national attention to the ongoing, important work to rebuild the Gulf Coast region in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the DNCC will hold a special event for delegates to the 2008 Democratic National Convention in recognition of the Friends of New Orleans (FONO), Oxfam America and other organizations affiliated with the Gulf Coast recovery and rebuilding effort.

The event, to take place on Sunday, August 24th, will mark the three-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, the most destructive natural disaster in U.S. history, and include delegates from all 56 state and territorial delegations attending the Convention.

As part of the event, which is financially supported by the Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee, delegates and other Convention guests will be encouraged to make donations to FONO and their affiliates. FONO is a private, non-profit, non-partisan membership organization for people in the U.S. and abroad who care about the region. Read more.

 

Concierge Corner: Double Your Fun at the Doubletree Denver Tech Center

The Denver Tech Center is one of three clusters of hotels where delegates will be staying during the 2008 Convention. Ashley Brown, concierge at the Doubletree Hotel Denver Tech Center, recently offered some suggestions for guests who will be staying at her hotel or others in the area. The Doubletree offers shuttle bus service to the Park Meadows "Retail Resort,” where travelers will find 160 restaurants and retail establishments. SkyVenture Colorado, an indoor sky diving center, is also close by.

For those looking to enjoy the outdoors, Brown suggests the nearby Denver Botanic Gardens. And for art-lovers and history buffs, she recommends visiting one of Denver's art or historical museums, such as the Denver Art Museum or the Colorado History Museum. The Denver Art Museum will soon announce a schedule of special events taking place during Convention week, so stay tuned. Lastly, Brown suggests to "always pack a jacket" to be prepared for unexpected cloudy days.

Convention Destinations: Mount Evans – “Let’s take the Scenic Route”

As the 2008 Democratic National Convention draws near and delegates from the 56 states and territories converge upon Denver, many will be looking for entertainment outside of the Convention hall. The Denver metro area provides a host of entertainment possibilities, but one stop recommended for any Convention-goer’s itinerary is a visit to the Mount Evans Scenic Byway, located less than 35 miles from downtown Denver.

The Byway, which was constructed in 1927 and stands at 14,264 feet above the ground, is the highest paved road in North America. At its peak, Mount Evans offers numerous lookout points to the picturesque Rocky Mountain landscape. Mount Evans provides a scenic, informative and fun getaway for individuals or the entire family.

Calendar of Events

June 20-22: DNCC Service Days: DNCC Staff to participate in Homes for Our Troops Build Brigade, helping construct a new home for disabled Iraq war veteran SSG Travis Strong in Golden, Colo.

June 26-28: Denver hosts meeting of the Association of Democratic State Chairs

July 4: Independence Day

July 7: DNCC moves in to the Pepsi Center and construction begins

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