With Saturday, May 17, marking just 100 days to go until the eyes of the world turn toward Denver and the 2008 Democratic National Convention, the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) announced that its plans remain on track or ahead of schedule for a truly historic event that promises to be an engaging celebration of the strength of the Democratic party, the diversity we embrace, the values we share and our vision for America. The Committee is entering the final preparatory stages and is now increasing focus on the executional and programmatic elements of the Convention.

"The organizational foundation has been laid, the operational framework has been built and it's now time to turn great plans into an even greater reality," said Leah D. Daughtry, CEO of the DNCC. "It's evident that our early start is now paying dividends as we enter this final stage of preparation. While there remains a significant amount of work to do in the next 100 days, I'm more confident than ever that when the gavel drops on August 25, we'll be ready to make history."

Consistent with planning cycles for previous Conventions, the final 100 days brings an increased focus on the official Convention schedule and program, ranging from delegate events and caucus meetings that take place each day to the themes, speakers and entertainment for each session at the Pepsi Center. Work on these elements continues to move forward.

"When our nominee takes the stage in August, it will be the culmination of a process that has engaged and inspired more than 35 million Americans and captured the attention of the world," Daughtry added. "Political conventions have determined the course of our nation's history. And in a few months, Denver will become part of this rich tradition."

Across all major operational areas, from logistics and transportation to construction and preparation for the media, the DNCC provided an update on its key accomplishments and its overall readiness for the four-day event in August.

The DNCC is ready to kick off construction activities on July 7, when it has full access to the Pepsi Center. However, renovation plans to convert the Pepsi Center from sports arena to Convention hall are already underway.

·        Design plans for the Convention hall are underway. Alvarado-Turner-HOK, an association of three local companies with experience in large-scale projects and events, including the 1996 Democratic National Convention, was awarded the construction management contract and is making preparations to begin renovations once access is granted.

·        Audio, lighting and scenic designs are complete and initial designs for the podium and stage have been drawn up. Once we have a nominee, our production team is ready to put the nominee's stamp on the look and feel of the Convention hall.

·        More than 675,000 square feet of space has been allocated. Inside the Pepsi Center facility – from backstage to suites to team locker rooms – space has been allocated for a specific purpose to support Convention operations.

·        Nearly 200,000 square feet of media space has been allocated. Initial plans are complete for the media pavilions located outside the Pepsi Center that will provide workspace for many of the nearly 15,000 members of the media expected to attend the Convention.

·        Space has been allocated for more than 100 production trucks, media workspace trailers and broadcast transmission vehicles.

The DNCC has secured hotel rooms and meeting space for Convention guests – delegates, Democratic National Committee (DNC) and campaign staff, elected officials, allied groups and members of the media.

·        17,000 hotel rooms in the Denver metro area are reserved: More than 90 percent of the hotel rooms have been assigned for Convention guests, and the Hyatt Regency Denver, a union hotel, was selected as the DNCC's official headquarters hotel.

·        Meeting space reserved at 100+ hotels and the Colorado Convention Center: All available meeting space at each official Convention hotel and the Colorado Convention Center, which will serve as an extension of the DNCC's Convention headquarters, is reserved for Convention-related use (delegation breakfasts, caucus meetings and training sessions).

·        80 percent of all delegation hotels are within walking distance of the Convention hall or accessible by public transportation, and bus transportation will be provided for the remaining hotels.

The DNCC has developed an ADA-accessible, safe, secure and efficient transportation system for delegates, media, dignitaries and other Convention guests in partnership with the City of Denver, the Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) and the Denver Police Department:

·        250 buses planned for daily transport between official Convention hotels and the Pepsi Center: Denver-based Event Transportation Associates, Inc. (ETA) will plan and manage a bus shuttle system to operate continuously between all official Convention hotels and the Pepsi Center.

·        400 motor pool vehicles provided by General Motors: As Official Vehicle Provider, General Motors will provide up to 400 vehicles for a motor pool to transport U.S. House and Senate Leadership, DNC and DNCC officials, and state party chairs.

·        100 percent of buses and motor pool vehicles are flex fuel, hybrids or run on bio-fuel.

The DNCC has engaged a broad spectrum of federal, state and local elected officials; national and local party leaders and allied organizations on their participation in the Democratic National Convention.

·        Briefed and secured input from many national, regional and local elected officials on Convention planning - including Governors, Mayors, U.S. Senators and Representatives, the Denver City Council, and constituency organizations in Colorado.

·        Met with more than 80 national allied organizations regarding participation at the Convention. These groups include unions, community organizations, non-profit and voter education organizations, and advocacy and constituent groups.

·        More than 300 foreign dignitaries have been invited to attend the Convention by the National Democratic Institute (NDI).

Building on the unprecedented interest in the 2008 Democratic primary, the DNCC has continued to reach out and engage residents in Denver and the entire Rocky Mountain West in the Convention experience.

·        21,000 volunteers have stepped forward to help ensure a successful Convention, a testament to the energy and enthusiasm both locally and throughout Colorado communities.

·        More than 750 people have attended "Convention Conversations" community forums in Denver, Pueblo, Boulder and Lakewood, Colorado; as well as Las Vegas and Salt Lake City. The forums are designed to provide opportunities for direct communication with top Convention organizers.

·        Nearly 1,200 Colorado middle and high school students submitted entries for the Convention "Write to Lead" youth essay contest. Two Presidential Winners will be invited to attend the event while 54 finalists will serve as ambassadors to state and territorial delegations.

·        Readership on DemCovention.com is up 40 percent since January, another signal of the building interest in the Convention.

The DNCC has set out to "bring down the walls" of the Pepsi Center and make the 2008 Democratic National Convention as inclusive and interactive as possible.

·        A DemConvention State Blogger Corps has been selected and will be credentialed in August to sit on the Convention floor with their state or territorial delegations. This 'front row' access will allow bloggers to provide even more localized coverage to their readers back home.

·        Live, gavel-to-gavel coverage of the Convention will be provided in HD at DemConvention.com. Through Official Provider Microsoft's Silverlight platform for interactive Web applications and HD video, and the Level 3 Communications network, the DNCC will bring live video coverage of the highest quality to a worldwide audience on DemConvention.com.

·        Convention 101, a series of web pages at DemConvention.com, was launched as the definitive source on all things Convention, detailing the rules and mechanics governing the Democratic Party's nomination process.

The DNCC is bringing to life its commitment to making this year's Convention the most environmentally-sustainable event of its kind:

·        Plans are in place for a resource recovery system that will divert a minimum of 85 percent of waste at Convention facilities from the landfill to a single-stream recycling center and composting facility.

·        900 "Green Team" volunteers from the Host Committee volunteer pool will be on hand during Convention week to assist with comprehensive recycling, composting and waste minimization program.

The DNCC has worked with more than 50 Colorado-based businesses and entrepreneurs who are providing a variety of services to ensure a successful, world-class Convention:

·        Key contracts have been awarded to local companies, including construction, transportation, printing, catering and event services, along with more than 100 Denver metro area hotels.

·        Credentials design theme selected. A Denver-based graphic designer was chosen to design the 2008 credentials for Convention attendees, including delegates, media and other guests. The credentials will include images that reflect Denver's history and diversity.

·        Local businesses are connecting to Convention business opportunities via an online database established through the Denver Host Committee – nearly 2100 vendors have signed up.

The Democratic National Convention, held from August 25-28, 2008, is expected to pump an estimated $160 million into the Denver area's economy and draw up to 50,000 visitors to the region.

Editor’s note: The 2008 Democratic National Convention Committee is the official arm of the Democratic National Committee responsible for planning and organizing the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver. For more information, visit www.demconvention.com.