Matt Burns
Director of Communications & Spokesman
2008 Republican National Convention (COA)
651.467.2008

Laura McCarthy
Marketing Communications Director
Meet Minneapolis
612.767.8028

• Oct. 11, 2007 -- Press Release: "Key staff named for convention"
• Oct. 9, 2007 -- Press Release: "RNC Chairman Duncan appoints Chairman of the Committee "
• Oct. 3, 2007 -- Press Release: "RNC unveils official logo"
• Sept. 10, 2007 -- "RNC Deposits $2 million for local convention " (KSTP-TV)
• Jan. 19, 2007 -- "Let the countdown begin on the '08 GOP convention" (St. Paul Pioneer Press)
• Jan. 8, 2007 -- "Deal struck on '08 convention safety" (St. Paul Pioneer Press)
• Nov. 30, 2006 -- Press Release: "Official process for planning events related to the 2008 Republican National Convention clarified"
• Oct. 22, 2006 -- "Boon for some, bane for others" (St. Paul Pioneer Press)
• Oct. 13, 2006 -- "GOP Makes Hay for the Elephant with its Convention in Twin Cities" (Post-Bulletin)
• Sept. 29, 2006 -- Radio Audio: "The Don Shelby Show" interviews Aaron McLear and Greg Ortale (WCCO-AM)
• Sept. 29, 2006 -- "GOP picks Twin Cities for 2008 convention" (Business Journal )
• Sept. 28, 2006 -- Press Release: "Minneapolis-St. Paul is awarded the 2008 Republican National Convention"

Dates:
Sept. 1-4, 2008

Convention facility:
Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul

Headquarters hotel:
Most likely the Hilton Minneapolis

Delegate Experience venue:
Minneapolis Convention Center

Hotel rooms needed:
Approximately 20,000 per night at 95 hotels throughout the metro area have been secured specifically for the convention

Number of hotel rooms in the metro area:
Approximately 35,000

Cost:
Approximately $82 million

Expected attendees:(all are approximate & estimated numbers)
- Total: up to 45,000
- Delegates: 2,000
- Alternate delegates: 2,000
- Volunteers: 10,000
- Media: 15,000
- Staff, families, guests, etc.: 15,000

Economic impact:
Differs depending on attendance and the host city. According to the Democratic National Committee, the 2004 Democratic National Convention held in Boston resulted in direct spending of $156 million.

What is the benefit to Minneapolis and the rest of the metro area?
The 2008 Republican National Convention is an event that will benefit the entire metro area and state of Minnesota. A large percentage of Minneapolis-Saint Paul area hotel rooms will be filled, bringing money to hospitality business and retail outlets.

In addition, meeting facilities, venues and suppliers throughout the metro area will be used for convention-related festivities and functions. In fact, the Republican National Committee has earmarked the Minneapolis Convention Center for an official convention event.

Also, the massive amount of media coverage received in the months leading up to and during the convention itself will help generate awareness of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area as an ideal place to visit and live.

Did Minneapolis and Saint Paul submit seperate bids?
While Meet Minneapolis™, Official Convention + Visitors Association, coordinated putting the bid together, many different organizations, plus the leadership of numerous metro-area cities and the State, all worked to secure the convention.

What will happen to the other conventions that are already booked during that time since it's only two years out?
The Republican National Convention is scheduled at an ideal time with respect to convention and meeting business. The Labor Day period is typically a slow time for Minneapolis-Saint Paul area hotels and meeting facilities. There are no large events that need to be moved in order to accommodate the Republican National Convention.

Will any new infrastructure need to be built to accommodate the convention?
No, Minneapolis-Saint Paul was required to have satisfactory venues and hotels that meet the needs of the convention at the time of submitting the bid. However, there may be some temporary reconstruction inside the convention facilities. All venues must be returned to normal after the convention is finished.