GCS PowerPoint

1
2008 Republican National Convention
2
2008 RNC

• St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Bloomington
• September 1 - 4, 2008
• 45,000 People
• 4,000 Delegates/Alternates
• 10,000 Volunteers
• 15,000 Family/Guests
• 15,000 Media

3
Convention Leadership

• The RNC's Committee on Arrangements, led through
  the Republican National Committee, is responsible
  for planning and management of the Convention
  itself. Maria Cino is the President and Chief
  Executive Officer for the Committee on
  Arrangements and has previously served as
  the Deputy Secretary of Transportation.Mel
  Raines, Vice President, has previously served as
  Vice President Dick Cheneys Assistant for
  Political Affairs and has been a part of previous
  GOP conventions.

4
Convention Leadership

• The Minnesota Host Committee, a bi-partisan
  group of Minnesota political, business, and
  community leaders, is responsible for planning,
  fundraising, and marketing efforts for the
  convention. The website is www.msp2008.com.
  Cyndi Lesher is the President of the Host
  Committee. She is on leave from her position
  as President and CEO of Northern States Power
  Company in Minnesota, a subsidiary of Xcel
  Energy Inc, which provides electricity and
  natural gas to Minnesota and the Dakotas.
• Kara Ahern is the Deputy in charge of raising
  money for the Convention. She has experience with
  national fundraising and also formerly worked for
  Vice President Dick Cheney as his political
  director.

5
The Twin Cities
Minneapolis

• Metro population of 3 million
• Sprawling area with limited public transportation
• Average temperature of 80 degrees in
  August/September, (80 below in February)

St. Paul
9 miles
17 miles
10 miles
Bloomington
6
Saint Paul

• Saint Paul capitol city, historic, smaller,
  understated, and solidly Irish and German.

7
Saint Paul
Home of Ecolab, Lawson Software, 3M, Gander
Mountain, Travelers and Minnesota Life.

8
Saint Paul

• The Xcel Energy Center Home of the Minnesota
  Wild hockey team, concerts, and the Republican
  National Convention.

9
Saint Paul

10
Saint Paul Venues

• The Union Depot, University Club, Landmark
  Center, Ordway Center, Matty Bs,
• Padleford Packet River Boats

11
Minneapolis

• Minneapolis Modern, easy to navigate,
  Scandinavian/Lutheran. Home of Prince, Twins
  baseball, and many theaters.

12
Minneapolis

• Home of Target Corporation, Ameriprise
  Financial, Carlson Companies, Thrivent Financial,
  U.S. Bancorp, Cargill, Dairy Queen, General
  Mills, and Medtronic.

13
Minneapolis Venues

• The Guthrie (below), Walker Art Musum,
  International Market Square, Kierans,
• Fine Line, Chambers,
• Lurcat, Bellanotte,
• Nicollet Island
• Pavillion

14
Bloomington

• Bloomington Largest suburb, home of the
  Mall of America, many hotels, MSP airport

15
Bloomington Venues

• The Mall of America Amusement Park
• The Napa Valley Grill
• California Café

16

• Being successful in this chaotic atmosphere
  requires
• good planning and solid connections.
• How will you make the most of this opportunity
• that comes around only once every four years?
• Start by putting together the right convention
  team. We have the skills, the connections, and
  the local knowledge you need to make maximum
  impact at the 2008 Convention.

17

Who We Are
Scott Cottington Political consultant Media
buyer Media producer
Steve Knuth Grassroots/ grasstops
strategist Issue advocacy tactician President of
Public Affairs Company

• Darrell Henry
• Corporate government affairs representative
• Public affairs consultant
• Veteran political convention strategist

18
What We Can Do

• Whether your goal is to
• Highlight your issue
• Raise the profile of your organization
• Communicate with policy makers
• Reinvigorate key relationships
• Raise awareness among media, policymakers,
  and/or
• voters of your agenda
• Networking for CEOs and senior management
• Or simply host a great event
• were a full service provider with the
  political experience to make it happen.

19
What We Can Do

• A la Carte or Full Service
• Planning, event and program development
• Local, on-the-ground experts
• Event planning and production (theme, décor,
  catering, AV, entertainment, database management,
  etc.)
• Invitations, graphic design and printing
• Destination management
• Complete convention programs

20
What We Can Do

• Additional Services
• CEO, VIP, and/or priority guest services
• Hotels and lodging
• Transportation
• Security
• Public Relations/Communications

21
What We Can Do

• Event and Convention Experience
• Republican National Committee
• Republican Governors Association
• Senator Lamar Alexander
• Senator Mitch McConnell
• Representative Joe Barton (Chairman, Energy and
  Commerce Committee)
• Representative Richard Pombo (Chairman, Resources
  Committee)
• Governor George Pataki and the NY Delegation
• Wyoming Delegation
• And many more

22

• GOP Convention Strategies
• 380 Jackson Street, Suite 430
• St. Paul, MN 55101
• Phone [phone]
• Fax [phone]
• Email Info_at_GCS2008.com