DENVER-
Organizers of the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver discussed transportation, the homeless, communications and other issues Monday with organizers of the 2004 Democratic convention in Boston.
Denver is “incredibly advanced” in its planning, Steve Kerrigan of the Boston committee said afterward.
About 150 people met with Kerrigan and four other Boston representatives who helped plan the 2004 convention, said Katherine Archuleta, senior policy adviser to Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper.
Traffic was one of the Boston event’s major issues. While organizers had to shut down a highway and relocate commuter train service for their convention, Denver’s Pepsi Center—surrounded by parking lots—will not face the same issues, Kerrigan said.
“We’re jealous,” Kerrigan said.
Security costs were well above the $10 million organizers had budgeted for Boston, eventually reaching $35 million, Kerrigan said.
Last week, Denver asked Congress for up to $50 million for security, double its earlier estimate. Minneapolis, host of the 2008 GOP convention, requested the same amount.
In addition to the federal money for security, the Denver host committee must raise $55 million, including $40 million in cash.
It hopes to collect $7.5 million by June 1 from money already pledged, Denver host committee CEO Mike Dino said.
Denver officials said they had $25 million in commitments when they were bidding for the convention.
“Getting the money in the bank is one of the hardest things to do after you get a pledge,” Dino said.
With fewer Fortune 500 companies based in Denver than in some other cities, organizers are focusing on looking regionally and nationally to find sponsors, Dino said.
Denver organizers have identified at least four goals, Archuleta said: Identifying the convention with Colorado and the West, and not just Denver; holding environmentally conscious events; emphasizing “democracy in action” to young people; and creating an exciting event that people will associate with Denver.
