Jenny Anderson, party planner for the Democratic National Convention, is booking venues. Lots of them.
Big ones, like Elitch Gardens — site of the convention’s kickoff “media party” on Aug. 23 for more than 10,000 people — and smaller ones, like the Museo de las Americas.
In all, she’s looking for 25 more party places, showcasing neighborhoods from Five Points to Lowry, the Denver Tech Center to Belmar, where 56 Democratic delegations will party the following day.
They must be green, environmentally speaking — and fabulous.
Once the locations are coordinated — and that remains a work very much in progress — Anderson will move down her checklist: caterers, decor, entertainment.
“You just think about things, and it’s hard to sleep at night sometimes,” says Anderson, who was hired in January. “It seems like it’s so far away, but it’s really not.”
She’s an employee of Alem, the logistics management company founded 30 years ago in Louisville by Steven McCarthy that specializes in events like the Pan American Games and the Olympic Torch Relay. Her resume is studded with such gems as tennis’ U.S. Open.
Party spots and spillovers
Across the city, behind the scenes, people are positioning for the onslaught of an estimated 1,000 to 1,500 private parties — also known as buyouts— from small gatherings of 30 in a wine cellar to thousands at places like Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum at the former Lowry Air Force Base.
The possibility of a brokered convention means that two national political teams, one for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, one for Sen. Barack Obama, could arrive in force, along with their sizable armies of supporters, which would double the demand for everything from banquet tables to glassware.
“I’m not sure the city of Denver will be able to handle it,” says Valerie Gaddis-Arellano, events manager of the Corner Office, the swank bar in the downtown Curtis Hotel.
“I figure about 200 people come to a typical buyout here, and (that) every person will drink two to three beverages.” That’s about 400 to 600 glasses per party.
“We’re planning on sleeping in the restaurant.”
Everyone from law firms to entrepreneurial startups are scrambling to score restaurant buyouts. The most popular area is near the Denver Performing Arts Complex.
The Corner Office already boasts several buyouts. Next door, the Great Western Art Gallery is among the local businesses hoping to benefit from party spillover. Owner Hilliard Moore is busily working on a line of party favors.
“We’re right in the heart of everything, and we figure there will be delegates walking back and forth,” he says, extracting a belt buckle from a black velvet bag.
Plated in gold and silver, it is handsome and heavy, adorned with a Democratic donkey. He’s had this design replicated on a line of belt buckles, key fobs and pins that can be worn on jackets and cowboy hats.
“Either a woman or a person of color will be nominated. Very historic. This stuff will turn into a super-collectors’ item of the 21st century.”
A few blocks away, at chef Kevin Taylor’s Prima Ristorante in the Performing Arts Complex, advance workers have arrived to scope the scene. Last week, Prima hosted lunch for a coterie of DNC contributors and party-planners from Washington, D.C.
“Every party-planner has a pre-set idea of what they want, and they match it with the space,” says manager Jim Wright. “I’m getting a lot of calls from DNC party planners.”
Near the epicenter, Oceanaire Seafood Room has buyouts booked for three of the convention’s four nights, mostly “heavy appetizer” parties.
“There’s a big contingent from New Jersey that wants pigs in a blanket, so we’re going to do that for them,” says manager Galen Krohn. “An Asian American caucus is having a big party here, and they want dim sum the whole night.”
“Everyone . . . on their toes”
Tamayo has been rented for the whole week by the law firm Kamlet, Shepherd and Reichert. “We want to provide conventioneers a place to retreat and hang out for awhile, to get away from the political hustle at the Pepsi Center,” says partner Jay Kamlet.
The new campaign finance laws, however, will affect things a bit.
“There are a lot of intricacies when hosting people,” he says. “If and when political figures come, you have to be very conscientious about how the meal is presented, whether it’s a meal or hors d’oeurves, whether it’s seated or standing.”
Even the most obscure details will be followed, he says, “so we’re not hauled in the next day for violating campaign finance reform.”
Capital Grille, the beloved watering hole of local politicos, has its own plan of action, says general manager Charlie Stauter.
“Among other things, I’m trying to prevent a party planner from booking space and reselling it,” he says. “I don’t want your steak to end up costing three times as much as it should.”
From 975 on Lincoln Street to Ocean Restaurant in Cherry Creek, the buyouts are building.
As for Anderson, she’s put a hold on some of the areas’ best venues, pondering her choices. Each venue has its own list of caterers, so everyone is holding a collective breath.
“Everyone there is on their toes,” says Allyn Coulter, event manager at Palettes restaurant.
Staff writer Chuck Plunkett contributed to this report.
Colleen O’Connor: 303-954-1083 or coconnor@denverpost.com
