COVER STORY
2008 Republican Convention
September 1- 4, Minneapolis - St Paul
From September 1-4, 2008, an anticipated
45,000 delegates, alternate delegates,
party officials, volunteers, members of the
media, and convention guests will gather
in Minneapolis Saint Paul for the 2008
Republican National Convention. This will
be a fantastic opportunity to promote the
region as a desirable location to visit and
conduct business. However, the conven-
tion will have a direct economic impact to
the area: officials estimate a minimum of
$150-$250 million in additional revenue
will come to the state and about 2,800 jobs
Photo Credit: Xcel Energy Center
with $100 million in wages to the Minne-
While the Xcel Energy Center will host the actual activities for the Republican National
apolis Saint Paul area. Regardless of your
Convention, numerous other venues will hold convention events. For example, the
party affiliation or political beliefs, the RNC
Minneapolis Convention Center will host Civic Fest: A Very Minnesota Celebration, an event
open to the public.
is a once in a lifetime event. There are
many opportunities to participate in making
history, and we hope you will find this infor-
mation useful as you start to make plans.
Did you know?
Sen. John McCain is the pre-
sumed nominee for the Republi-
The last Republican National
can Party with 1,575 delegates.
Convention held in Minnesota was in
1892. President Benjamin Harrison
The Republican nominee needs
got the nomination. 1,191 delegates to secure the
He lost in the general election.
nomination from their party.
John McCain 2008
Did you know?
At the 2004 Republican National
Convention in Madison Square Garden,
100,000 biodegradable balloons were
inflated by 200 young people in only
six hours. The balloons were dropped
from 50 nets hung 75 feet
above the floor.
Did you know?
Since Sen. John McCain is the presumed nominee, much of the focus and suspense
during the days leading up to the convention will surround the Vice Presidential
This election year marks the first
candidate selection. Several names have been mentioned by political pundits as likely
presidential election since 1928
candidates, including Governor’s Charlie Crist (Flordia), Tim Pawlenty (Minnesota), Mitt
without an incumbent presidential or
Romney (Massachusetts – former Governor) and Bobby Jindal (Louisiana).
vice presidential candidate.
Photo Credit: www.charliecrist.com, www.governor.state.mn.us, en.wikipedia.org
6 MRCC BusinessBriefing — July/August 2008
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