Last weekend we continued to hear how the Pepsi Center here in Denver was handing over the keys to the facility to the Democratic National Committee to begin preparations on the Democratic National Convention scheduled to begin on August 25, 2008. Stories of 160 miles of new cable to be installed, lights, cameras, and other things being added.  This morning the local news is reporting that the committee has announced that the acceptance speech of Barack Obama for the nomination of the democratic ticket for President will be held at Invesco Field at Mile High .  The officials indicate that those that want to attend the acceptance speech will be given special “community credentials” to attend.  As the time gets closer to the event the details will be provided.

Invesco Field is a relatively new stadium replacing the old Mile High Stadium where the Denver Broncos played for many years.  They have many of the latest features that are available to the newest of stadiums.  You can get some information for your event if you want to book a space at the facility including the visitors locker room, and other places in the stadium.  They have weddings, proms and other events held here throughout the year when they are not hosting the sports teams that use the field.  This is turning out to be quite a big deal for the people here in Colorado and the Denver Metro area.  Apparently, Barack Obama really wants to win Colorado as a swing state and is pulling out all of the stops.  To give some equal billing, John McCain is stopping in Denver today as well, but the big news is Obama is looking for some Mile High magic.

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I have been following along with the news of what is happening in the Democratic National Convention and a story that is catching a few links is a story by Leslie Wayne of the New York Times. Apparently, the Coors Brewing Company here in the Golden, Colorado has been brewing beer and changing the unsatisfactory stuff and that not fit to sell into ethanol. This ethanol is used in GM cars that operate on E85 fuel. I am not saying that Coors makes bad beer, heck I was brought up on the beer living here in the Denver area. Coors is an icon business here in rockies. Leslie explains more about what will be going on with the beer and how it will be used:

The happy cars getting an injection of beer in their tanks are to be provided by General Motors, designated as the convention’s “Official Vehicle Provider.” G.M., a major sponsor at both conventions, will be showing off its fleet of cars with biofuel capabilities and hybrid technologies to lawmakers often been dubious about Detroit. A fleet of 400 G.M. cars will chauffeur around members of Congress, Democratic officials, state party leaders and other Democratic V.I.P.’s during the four-day extravaganza.

Coors has been a big part of the Denver area and is the title sponsor of the Colorado Rockies field in lower downtown. They are sponsoring the DNC as well. Apparently they are a large contributing sponsor of over $1 Million and are also providing beer for some of the hosted events throughout the 4 day period. I’m looking forward to covering the news that happens here in Denver for the Democratic national Convention. I’ll make sure you can read about the local scene here on Convention Insider.

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One of the bigger stories here in the Denver area where I am from is the fact that the Denver Host Committee came up more than $10 Million short of their goals for raising money for the Democratic National Convention which is to be held here in Denver on August 25. The organizers had until June 16 to come up with the funds for the convention and fell quite short. They are talking about some of the events that were scheduled will be cancelled and the government officials here are all scrambling to see how they can figure out how to come up with the funds required.

Many are saying that the drawn out process of determining the Democratic nominee is the cause as their backers are still waiting to see if they will put their money into the pot. Others are saying that the big Clinton money making machine that has provided them with their ability to raise funds is not in the race any longer and therefor withholding funds. One thing is certain, this does not bode well for the Dems as they begin to figure out how to make a big splash here in Denver in about 10 weeks.

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This year the Democratic National Convention is scheduled to take place at the Pepsi Center here in Denver.  The title of the post will be explained but we have to visit the sports page of the newspaper.  The Pepsi Center plays host to the Denver Nuggets and the Colorado Avalanche, our basketball and hockey teams.

This year both of those teams have made the playoffs.  As of this writing however, the Denver Nuggets have been swept in 4 games and the Colorado Avalanche are down 3 games to none and looking like they will be swept and eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs.  This is the reason the Pepsi Center will be unused.

Some facts about the facility that will be the location of this year’s DNC.  The Pepsi Center in Denver was built in about 21 months and cost $180M in private funding.  The building sits on 45 acres and is 675,000 square feet.  During the Democratic National Convention the Pepsi Center will handle approximately 21,000 people or more.  The problem I see now is that with the Nuggets eliminated from the playoffs and the Colorado Avalanche on their way out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the building will be quiet and vacant for a while.  Yes, if that does sound like sour grapes, it’s because I am very disappointed!

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My wife is a huge CSI fan.  She records every episode of it so that she can make sure to watch them.  Now that the writer’s strike is over, tonight she got to see a brand new episode.  I’m not sure who is more excited about it being back on, her to watch her show or me to not have to hear about why the writer’s strike stinks.  Naturally, since I love to check out if there is a convention or trade show on a certain topics or industry I had to see what was available for crime scene investigators and where they convene.

A small world that it is, I found it right in my own back yard.  The American Academy of Forensic Sciences is holding a conference at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver on February 16-21, 2009.  The annual meeting is described as:

The Academy’s annual scientific meeting is held in February at which time over 500 scientific papers, breakfast seminars, workshops, and other special events are presented. The AAFS consists of ten sections representing a wide range of forensic specialties, and the annual scientific meeting gathers these professionals who present the most current information, research, and updates in this expanding field.

I guess the time not to commit a crime in Denver will be that week in Denver in February.  Criminals beware.

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In our house this week it has been Spring Break.  I myself have a love hate relationship with the idea, because I used to love having the week off to go skiing here in Colorado, but now I have all my kids underfoot as I try to work.  It has been a trying time for me, but my kids are in heaven.  Parents are not huge fans of this time of year.

For many Convention and Visitor Bureaus however, Spring Break is a very important time of the year.  Those places with beaches are truly one of the most sought after destinations.  I suppose it is a result of being inside throughout the winter everyone is looking for some fun in the sun.  Many travel destinations may be hurting somewhat this year as a result of rising gasoline prices.  Last year at Spring Break, gasoline was just over $2.00 per gallon and this year it is exploded to over $3.00 per gallon, and that will translate to some of those wanting to travel to sunny beaches to stay home and enjoy their break without breaking the bank on travel costs.  I for one won;t be spending the mortgage of gasoline.

Many conventions and visitors bureaus spend lots of their advertising budget trying to get people to spend Spring Break at their locations.  It is one of the first chances they can reach out to travelers and get them to notice their locations and amenities.  Locally here, The Denver Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau is pushing to come and see The Denver Zoo over Spring Break.  What they don’t understand I think is the fact that it is already a zoo here in my house with all these animals at home!  Check with your own Convention and Visitors Bureau and they too may have a program they are pushing and you can find deals or ideas on how to spend your Spring Break.

[photo via margaritanitz]

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