Transformation Begins at Xcel Energy Center for the 2008 Republican National Convention
Monday, July 21st, 20082008 Republican National Convention
SAINT PAUL, Minn.
- Today marks the handover of the Xcel Energy Center to planners for
the 2008 Republican National Convention, beginning a six-week
transformation in advance of the September 1-4 event.
During
the next 42 days, convention staff will oversee the build-out of the
Xcel Energy Center and the 475,000 square feet of media workspace
located in the Saint Paul RiverCentre and Roy Wilkins Auditorium.
Experts specializing in a variety of trades will work as a team to
ensure that all systems are “go” when the gavel drops September 1.
“After more than one year of preparation and a lot of hard work, we are
excited to officially transition from planning to implementation,” said
convention President and CEO Maria Cino. “With only six weeks to go, we
will be ready to welcome Sen. John McCain and the 45,000 convention
participants joining us from around the country and the millions more
participating from home.”
Twenty-five trucks carrying
equipment and supplies arrived at the Xcel Energy Center early this
morning, enabling crews to get an early start on the first phase of the
transformation process. Today, modifications to suites and media
workspace will begin, ensuring that all necessary accommodations are
made for the 15,000 members of the media expected at this year’s
convention.
Throughout the next six weeks, crews will install
nearly six miles of phone and internet cable and a total of 4,500 data
and analog lines. Cellular providers will be increasing service
capacity and state-of-the-art technology will be installed to provide
real-time access to convention activities for millions around the
world.
About the Republican National Convention
The
2008 Republican National Convention will be held at Saint Paul’s Xcel
Energy Center from Sept. 1-4, 2008. Approximately 45,000 delegates,
alternate delegates, volunteers, members of the media and other guests
are expected to attend the convention. Minneapolis-Saint Paul is
expected to receive an estimated $150-$160 million positive economic
boost from the four-day event. For more information about the 2008
Republican National Convention, please visit our website at www.GOPConvention2008.com and join our social network sites on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and YouTube.
