PRESS RELEASE from Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee

MINNEAPOLIS SAINT PAUL 2008 HOST COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES
LOCATIONS OF MEDIA AND DELEGATE PARTIES

The Mississippi Riverfront and CivicFest to Play Starring Roles

 

MINNEAPOLIS SAINT PAUL, MINN (August 13, 2008) – The Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee, which is hosting the 2008 Republican National Convention, announced today the locations of two premier parties that will be held during the 2008 Republican National Convention. The venues for the invitation-only events were chosen because they highlight the beauty of Minnesota’s landmark Mississippi River as well as the chance to showcase Minnesota business and innovation.
 
The media party will be held the night of Saturday, August 30, along the Minneapolis Riverfront with the world-renowned Guthrie Theater, Mill City Museum and Mississippi River as the backdrop. More than 15,000 international, national and local media are expected to attend the Convention.
 
The delegate party will be held the night of Sunday, August 31, at the Minneapolis Convention Center, which also is the location for CivicFest: A Very Minnesota Celebration. CivicFest features exhibits that highlight Minnesota history and business innovation as well as more than 35 world-class exhibits. Fifty-six delegations will be attending the event.
 
“We are pleased to welcome our visitors to locations that are truly first-class,” said Jeff Larson, CEO of the Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee. “The attendees to the media party will be astonished by the amazing architecture and natural resources that are present along the Minneapolis Riverfront. We also are eager to showcase Minnesota business and innovation as well as the wonderful historic and unique exhibits that CivicFest will offer as a backdrop to the delegate party.”
 
It has been 116 years since Minnesota hosted a national political convention. In 1892, eighteen hundred delegates and alternates from forty-four states, five territories and the District of Columbia met along the banks of the Mississippi River in the Exposition Building in Minneapolis. 
 
“The Minneapolis-Saint Paul area is home to several world-class facilities, beautiful landscapes and stunning architecture – all of which will be on display at the venues selected for these events,” said Maria Cino, President and CEO of the 2008 Republican National Convention. “Our delegates and media guests will be impressed when the MSP 2008 Host Committee rolls out the red carpet for guests of the Republican National Convention.”
 
The 2008 Republican National Convention will be held September 1-4 at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minn. More than 45,000 individuals, including 15,000 media, are expected to attend the Convention. The last national political convention in Minnesota was the Republican National Convention held in 1892.
 
About The Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee
The Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee is a non-partisan, 501c3 nonprofit charged with promoting the commerce, image and prestige of Minneapolis, Saint Paul and the entire region in preparation for the 2008 Republican National Convention. The Host Committee is made up of community leaders who are committed to educating people and businesses to come to Minnesota to work, live, play, visit and invest. For more information, visit www.msp2008.com.
 

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