Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee
Encyclopedia
The Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee is a non-profit organization that was responsible for private funding of the 2008 Democratic National Convention
in Denver, Colorado
on August 25–28, 2008. In addition to securing sponsors, other obligations included organizing a volunteer base, managing a vendor database, coordinating local events, providing hospitality to delegates and credentialed media, and promoting tourism in Denver, Colorado and the Western U.S.
As the fundraising arm of the convention, the Host Committee had four contractual partners: the Democratic National Convention Committee, which was responsible for logistics of convention activities within the Pepsi Center
; the City and County of Denver, which provided security, traffic management, and operational support; Kroenke Sports, owner of the Pepsi Center arena where the convention was held; and its own Executive Committee.
set a new standard for green conventions whereby sustainability
and environmental health
concerns are factored into the event planning. The Host Committee led this effort by setting green standards for events, completing environmental improvements at city facilities, setting up recycling areas, partnering with local restaurants and venues for healthy options, and encouraging the use of carbon offsets.
report, the Host Committee detailed financial and in-kind contributions from more than 700 businesses and individuals. Security-related expenses, not detailed in the report, were covered separately by a $50 million federal grant.
and composting.
2008 Democratic National Convention
The United States 2008 Democratic National Convention was a quadrennial presidential nominating convention of the Democratic Party where it adopted its national platform and officially nominated its candidates for President and Vice President of the United States. The convention was held in Denver,...
in Denver, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
on August 25–28, 2008. In addition to securing sponsors, other obligations included organizing a volunteer base, managing a vendor database, coordinating local events, providing hospitality to delegates and credentialed media, and promoting tourism in Denver, Colorado and the Western U.S.
As the fundraising arm of the convention, the Host Committee had four contractual partners: the Democratic National Convention Committee, which was responsible for logistics of convention activities within the Pepsi Center
Pepsi Center
Pepsi Center is a multi-purpose arena in Denver, Colorado, United States. The building is home to the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association, the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League, and the Colorado Mammoth of the National Lacrosse League...
; the City and County of Denver, which provided security, traffic management, and operational support; Kroenke Sports, owner of the Pepsi Center arena where the convention was held; and its own Executive Committee.
Executive Committee Members
The following individuals are listed on the inside cover of the Official 2008 Democratic National Convention Visitors Guide, produced by the Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau.- The Hon. Elbra Wedgeworth, President of the Denver Host Committee
- John W. Hickenlooper, Mayor of the City and County of Denver
- Bill Ritter Jr., Governor of the State of ColoradoColoradoColorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
- U.S. Senator Ken SalazarKen SalazarKenneth Lee "Ken" Salazar is the current United States Secretary of the Interior, in the administration of President Barack Obama. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as a United States Senator from Colorado from 2005 to 2009. He and Mel Martinez were the first Hispanic U.S...
- U.S. Representative Diana DeGetteDiana DeGetteDiana Louise DeGette is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1997, and a Chief Deputy Whip. She is a member of the Democratic Party.The district is based in Denver.-Early life, education and career:...
- Steve Farber, Attorney-At-Law
- Mike Dino, CEO of the Denver Host Committee
Host Committee Members
The following individuals are listed on page 10 of the Official 2008 Democratic National Convention Visitors Guide, produced by the Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau.- Jenny Anderson, Event Director, Host Committee
- Katherine Archuleta, Mayor's Office, Senior Advisor on Policy and Initiatives
- Christine Berg, Volunteer Director, Host Committee
- Christina Beisel, Program Assistant for Greening, City and County of Denver
- Mollie Brundage, Development Director, Host Committee
- Parry Burnap, Greening Director, Host Committee
- Sue Cobb, Communications Director, City and County of Denver
- Trini Dominguez, Communications Assistant, Host Committee
- Selena Dunham, Chief of Staff, Host Committee
- Stephanie Foote, President, 2008 Rocky Mountain Roundtable
- Germani Gonzales, Administrative Assistant, Host Committee
- Rachel Gordon, Deputy Finance Director, Host Committee
- David Kennedy, Disability Rights Coordinator, Host Committee
- Betsy Kimak, Web Producer, Host Committee
- Melissa Koenigsberg, Chief Financial Officer, Host Committee
- Lindy Eichenbaum Lent, Senior Advisor to Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, City and County of Denver
- Paul Lhevine, Chief Operations Officer, Host Committee
- Chris Lopez, Communications Director, Host Committee
- Manjiri Mannino, Finance Assistant, Host Committee
- Tyler Mounsey, Deputy Operations Director, Host Committee
- Robin Pack, Accountant, Host Committee
- Jim Polsfut, Chairman, 2008 Rocky Mountain Roundtable
- Miranda Reeves, Events Assistant, Host Committee
- Steve Sander, Marketing Director, City and County of Denver
- Janet Schoniger, Director of External Affairs, Host Committee
- Maryanne Talbott, Graphic Designer, Host Committee
- Brent Tongco, Marketing/Communications Specialist, City and County of Denver
- Latrisha Underhill, Operations Director, Host Committee
- Chantal Unfug, Deputy City Liaison, Democratic National Convention, City and County of Denver
- Tom Wagenlander, Deputy Volunteer Director, Host Committee
- Sondra Williams, Volunteer Advisor, Host Committee
Economic Impact
During the convention, more than 50,000 visitors came to Denver, including more than 16,000 members of the media, bloggers, and independent journalists. Early projections estimated an economic impact of $160–$200 million dollars; however a final report released on October 16, 2008 by Denver Mayor John W. Hickenlooper put the official estimate at a $266.1 million regional economic benefit to the Denver metro region, of which $153.9 million occurred directly within the City and County of Denver.Convention Greening
One mission of the 2008 Denver Convention Host Committee was to ensure that the 2008 Democratic National Convention2008 Democratic National Convention
The United States 2008 Democratic National Convention was a quadrennial presidential nominating convention of the Democratic Party where it adopted its national platform and officially nominated its candidates for President and Vice President of the United States. The convention was held in Denver,...
set a new standard for green conventions whereby sustainability
Sustainability
Sustainability is the capacity to endure. For humans, sustainability is the long-term maintenance of well being, which has environmental, economic, and social dimensions, and encompasses the concept of union, an interdependent relationship and mutual responsible position with all living and non...
and environmental health
Environmental health
Environmental health is the branch of public health that is concerned with all aspects of the natural and built environment that may affect human health...
concerns are factored into the event planning. The Host Committee led this effort by setting green standards for events, completing environmental improvements at city facilities, setting up recycling areas, partnering with local restaurants and venues for healthy options, and encouraging the use of carbon offsets.
Fundraising Targets
On October 16, 2008, the Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee announced that it generated just over $55 million in cash contributions and $5.46 million of in-kind support. The balance of the $60.9 million came from interest income and miscellaneous refunds. That surpassed the Host Committee's original $40 million contractual target by more than $20 million. In a 1,400-page Federal Election CommissionFederal Election Commission
The Federal Election Commission is an independent regulatory agency that was founded in 1975 by the United States Congress to regulate the campaign finance legislation in the United States. It was created in a provision of the 1975 amendment to the Federal Election Campaign Act...
report, the Host Committee detailed financial and in-kind contributions from more than 700 businesses and individuals. Security-related expenses, not detailed in the report, were covered separately by a $50 million federal grant.
Volunteers
An estimated 15,000 volunteers answered telephone calls, collated mailings, prepared and distributed convention materials, assisted at media and public events, and even collected and sorted trash at waste recovery stations for recyclingRecycling
Recycling is processing used materials into new products to prevent waste of potentially useful materials, reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, reduce energy usage, reduce air pollution and water pollution by reducing the need for "conventional" waste disposal, and lower greenhouse...
and composting.
See also
- 2008 Democratic National Convention2008 Democratic National ConventionThe United States 2008 Democratic National Convention was a quadrennial presidential nominating convention of the Democratic Party where it adopted its national platform and officially nominated its candidates for President and Vice President of the United States. The convention was held in Denver,...
- City and County of Denver
- John W. Hickenlooper