WASHINGTON – In beginning the process of selecting a host city for the 2008 Republican National Convention, the Republican National Committee (RNC) yesterday presented request for proposals to 31 cities.  The request includes an outline of the specifications for hosting the convention and a request for preliminary information that will assist the RNC Site Selection Committee in evaluating each interested city.

        Cities that received 2008 request for proposals are:  Anaheim, Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Memphis, Miami, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, Sacramento, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, and Tampa.

        “We are excited to begin the process of selecting a city to host our 2008 convention,” RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman said.

        “We have had a lot of interest from a variety of cities across the country and look forward to finding a city that will help us showcase our positive agenda for America,” added RNC Co-Chairman and Site Selection Committee Chair Jo Ann Davidson.

        Cities were informed that the RNC Site Selection Committee will hold individual meetings in Washington, D.C. with representatives from all interested cities to discuss convention criteria, logistics and the site selection process.  Cities that did not receive a request for proposal but would like to be considered can contact the RNC.

        The Site Selection Committee will decide on a list of finalist cities by mid-summer of 2006.  The Committee plans to visit only those finalist cities during the late-summer and expects to make a final selection on the Host City no later than February 1, 2007.

        The RNC will select dates for the convention in the coming weeks.

 
Ø      Facilities

Main Convention Area – facility capable of seating at least 20,500 persons, including the convention floor with seating for approximately 5,500 delegates and alternates.

The RFP details the minimum requirements, including square footage of space required and the timing of when the space must be available, for the following facilities – convention function rooms (for meetings and committee sessions), convention office space, media work space, parking, city facilities for convention related activities (halls, museums, parks, etc.) and a construction area for construction of the convention podium.

 
Ø      Provision of Facilities & Services

The City and/or Host Committee shall provide facilities and services necessary to hold the convention as determined by the COA, including:  seating for delegates and attendees, electrical power, lighting, a sound system, a transportation system, heating and air conditioning and a telecommunications system.

 
Ø      Security Measures

All provisions of security and related protective services shall be provided at the sole cost of the City and/or Host Committee except security measures for which the federal government agrees to pay.

 
Ø      Hotels

The City and/or Host Committee shall make at least 20,000 hotel rooms and 2,000 one and two bedroom suites available to the COA