With less than eight months before the Democratic National Convention comes to Boston, Democratic officials are gearing up for the more than 4,000 delegates who will converge on the FleetCenter to nominate a presidential candidate at the end of July, and the 15,000 reporters who will cover it.
‘The people who live and work in Boston and the surrounding area have a unique perspective on the city and, more than anyone else, understand and appreciate the tremendous impact that the convention will have here,’ wrote Rod O’Connor, convention committee CEO, in a letter to reporters.
Approximately 200 local reporters toured the FleetCenter Monday morning to begin planning their coverage for the convention, which will take place from July 26 to 29, 2004. On Thursday, more than 400 members of the national media are scheduled to tour the space.
Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, who briefly welcomed reporters in the FleetCenter’s Legends restaurant, called the convention ‘a great opportunity to sell our city.’
Convention organizers said the 4,351 delegates, who will choose the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, will be seated on the floor of the arena facing a stage to be constructed on the side. The remaining seats will go to press, as will many of the arena’s luxury boxes. News organizations can apply for credentials to cover the convention by the end of May.
The FleetCenter press room will be converted into a filing center with phone jacks, photocopiers and digital work spaces for photographers. Organizers also said they plan to install wireless internet access. Broadcasters will have camera positions in front and to the side of the stage.
The convention committee is reserving rooms in hotels and at area universities, including Boston University, to house the thousands of visitors to Boston during the convention.
BU spokesman Colin Riley said the university regularly rents rooms for short periods to businesspeople and other visitors during the summer.
‘There are units that we expect will be considered for booking by the delegates and/or party staff,’ Riley said. He said he expects about 200 spaces to be available to the public through the convention committee, and there will likely be additional housing for convention staff.
Student Democrat groups also are preparing for the convention. Matt Henderson, treasurer of the BU College Democrats, said most group members are involved in presidential campaigns right now, but the College Democrats will push to get people involved in the convention as well starting in the spring.
‘Once second semester rolls around, we’re going to really start recruiting for the convention,’ Henderson said.
The convention committee plans to recruit 3,000 volunteers to be receptionists, tour guides and drivers, he said. While there are some paid staff positions available, most opportunities available for students are volunteer positions or unpaid internships, according to Henderson.
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