Sep 1, 2008 - Republican National Convention
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Make the Black Dog your meeting place, gathering spot, decompression chamber, happy place, port in the storm, supply depot, info kiosk, rumor mill, watering hole, listening station, and mess hall....There is sure to be something happening and it will more than likely include music!...We'll keep you posted.
Update (7/23/08): Forty days and counting...lots of events in the offing.
The Black Dog will host a fundraiser for the Coalition to March on the RNC on Friday, August 15th. The 15th also kicks off the "Poster Offensive IV" Art Show (see listing on the events calander) which will run through September 15th.
Convention week activity starts with "The Pines" performing live at The Black Dog on Thursday, Aug. 28th. Friday the 29th is the "Poster Offensive IV" reception and print sale at 5:00 PM followed by the Fantastic Friday Music Series around 9ish.
We welcome the world to our neighborhood (even Republicans) on Sunday the 31st and Monday the 1st when we host "The Block Party In Lowertown." Two days of music food and good times - everyone welcome!
Website: www.theblockpartyinlowertown.com
Resources: Republican Welcoming Committee - nornc.org (local protest group)
www.marchonrnc.org
www.worldwidewamm.org
Fun Convention Facts and Figures!*
Approximately 45,000 delegates, alternate delegates, members of the media, volunteers, and other guests are expected to attend the convention.
All the extras involved in attending the Republican National Convention in St. Paul in September will set the average visitor back $1,600, according to the Minneapolis-Saint Paul Host Committee. Hotels will soak up the largest share, followed by restaurants and bars. Convention-goers are also expected to shell out for taxis, rental cars, shopping outings, golfing, theater tickets and other diversions. The estimates assume visitors will stay six days, although the convention itself lasts only four.
Minneapolis-Saint Paul is expected to receive an estimated $150-$160 million positive economic boost from the four-day event.
One year before the convention, the Republicans rented 50,000 square feet of office space and hired local contractors to build a nerve center. 15 RNC employees are working full-time in St. Paul. Republicans will eventually fill the space they're renting in a Lowertown office building with 150 employees and countless volunteers.
Approximately 8,000 volunteers will take part in the 2008 Republican National Convention.
15,000 members of the media are expected to descend on St. Paul.
The Federal Election Commission provides both the Republican and Democrat Conventions with $16.3 million in federal funding. The convention's remaining costs are met by the Host Committee.
2008 will mark the second time the Republican Party has convened in Minnesota. Minneapolis hosted the 10th Republican National Convention in 1892, where Republicans nominated Benjamin Harrison.
The United States Department of Homeland Security has designated the convention a National Special Security Event, which means the United States Secret Service (U.S.S.S.) leads security planning. Convention staff is working closely with the U.S.S.S. and law enforcement personnel from all levels of government to ensure a safe and successful event. Every effort is also being made to keep local merchants open for business and area traffic running smoothly. St. Paul native Frank Spicka, a 24-year veteran of the U.S. Secret Service, has been named director of security.
General Motors was named the Official Vehicle Provider to the 2008 Republican National Convention. GM will provide the 2008 Republican National Convention with more than 300 cars and light trucks representing a mix of highly fuel efficient vehicles that include E85 ethanol flex-fuel and hybrid technology.
Northwest was named the Official Airline for the 2008 Republican National Convention. The airline will transport thousands of delegates, alternate delegates, Republican Party leaders, members of the media, and convention guests to Minneapolis-Saint Paul in September. Northwest Airlines has its global headquarters in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul suburb of Eagan, Minnesota. NWA's President and Chief Executive Officer, Doug Steenland, also serves on the community's non-partisan, non-profit Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee, which is involved in planning for the convention and promoting the cities.
*Source: Republican National Convention 2008 (September 1-4, 2008) official website, www.gopconvention.com.
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