DENVER—A summary of Denver’s preparations for the Democratic National Convention, according to the Democratic National Convention Committee:
— Design plans for the convention hall are under way. Alvarado-Turner-HOK, an association of three local companies with experience in large-scale projects and events, including the 1996 Democratic National Convention, was awarded the construction management contract.
— Audio, lighting and scenic designs are complete and initial designs for the podium and stage have been drawn up. Once the party has a nominee, a production team is ready to put the nominee’s stamp on the look and feel of the convention hall.
— Nearly 200,000 square feet of media space has been allocated. Initial plans are complete for pavilions outside the Pepsi Center to provide workspace for many of the nearly 15,000 members of the media expected to attend.
— Delegations and participants have reserved 17,000 hotel rooms in the Denver metro area. The Hyatt Regency Denver, a union hotel, was selected as the DNCC’s official headquarters hotel.
— The convention has reserved 250 buses for daily transport between official convention hotels and the Pepsi Center. General Motors provided some 400 motor pool vehicles to transport U.S. House and Senate leaders, DNC and DNCC officials, and state party chairs.
— The convention selected 55 bloggers who will be credentialed through the DemConvention State Blogger Corps to provide localized coverage to their readers.
— The convention has chosen 900 “Green Team” volunteers from the Host Committee volunteer pool to assist with recycling, composting and waste minimization.
