Conventions 2008: What Can Your Organization Do?

1. Conventions 2008: What Can Your Organization Do?

2. Overview of the City- Saint Paul "Saint Paul has become the cultural hub of Minnesota and features theaters, interactive museums, galleries, a classic zoo, a popular science museum, and architectural masterpieces." - America's Most Livable Cities • The 2008 GOP Convention will be held in Saint Paul, Minnesota, home of the Xcel Energy Center – a 650,000 square foot multipurpose sports and entertainment facility • Location of the State Capital, one of famed architect Cass Gilbert's most prominent and most beautiful buildings • Home of United States Senator Norm Coleman and residence of Governor Tim Pawlenty • Many turn-of-the-century mansions, including the James J. Hill House • Home to the Minnesota Wild NHL Team • Incredible Architecture and views on the Mississippi

3. Overview of the City - Minneapolis • Minneapolis is ranked as the 16th largest city in the nation with a population of 382,000 and a county population of 1,116,200 • The city is known for its orchestra, art museums, and the sculpture garden near Loring Park and the Walker Art Center • Minneapolis is located on the Mississippi River which affords a number of recreational activities such as riverboats and interesting walks along its banks • Minneapolis is also home to professional sports teams such as the Vikings, Twins and the Timberwolves • The nightlife of Minneapolis is hip and cutting edge with a number of restaurants and bars with musical entertainment

4. Convention Host Committee The Host Committee has packages available and we encourage everyone to seriously consider some level of participation. Committee Members: • Cyndi Lesher, Host Committee President • Mario Cino, RNC Convention Chair • Jeff Larson, Chairman, Host Committee • Julie Wadler, Convention Finance Director • Mayor of Saint Paul – Chris Coleman • Mayor of Minneapolis – R.T. Rybak

5. Challenges and Opportunities of the 2008 GOP Convention • Hotels - Fewer than 7,000 hotel rooms in downtown Saint Paul and Minneapolis - Very few “premium” hotel rooms - Many rooms currently under hold by RNC and Host Committee • Transportation - No such thing as “hailing” a cab - No metro or subway - No light rail connecting Minneapolis and Saint Paul - Lack of parking • Venues - New York had 10,000 venues in the City – Minnesota has 10,000 lakes, but not 10,000 venues! - Many larger venues, and “high end” venues are held by the RNC and Host Committee - Many venues will require creative thinking – strong transportation logistics and other support

6. Things to consider: Transportation – vehicles, logistics, coordination Housing – hotels, mansions, condos and other creative housing plans Venues – selecting site(s) that work for you, your organization and/or your members • Creating unique convention partnerships – finding others that want to join in your Convention experience • Identify additional sponsors or supporters for your effort • Manage your media relations and “branding” issues and concerns during the Convention • How do you connect with key policymakers in an appropriate and positive environment • How do you work with national political party organizations, i.e. the nominee, the national political parties, the Host Committee and Convention staff

7. Transportation If you plan to attend multiple parties and events throughout the Convention, access to a car, van or bus will ensure that you maximize your time.

8. Lodging Housing will be one of the most difficult fields to navigate during this convention. “Think outside the box”: -Private Homes / Mansions -Downtown condos -Lake Houses -Hotels -Corporate Apartments .

9. Venues Attracting your target audience and creating the most memorable and effective event for your organization all begins with finding the perfect venue. • While Saint Paul and Minneapolis have some spectacular venue spaces, high quality sophisticated space will be limited

10. Who We Are Take’08 is a unique partnership of the Bellwether Group, mCapitol Management, Greener and Hook and Synergetic Endeavors. • Greener and Hook – 1996 Convention Manager (Maria Cino position), Communications Strategy & Tactics • Bellwether Group – Proven D.C. and national fundraising event creation and management experience • mCapitol Management – Nearly 75 years of Minnesota experience as well as local, state and federal connections • Synergetic Endeavors – Lifetime of local connections with hospitality, entertainment and arts and cultural institutions