May 28, 2008

With Under 100 Days to Go Until the 2008 Democratic National Convention, Convention CEO Leah Daughtry and Representative Bernie Buescher Answer Questions, Offer Information for Grand Junction Residents About Historic Regional Opportunity

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - In keeping with the Democratic National Convention Committee's (DNCC) efforts to put forward a regional Convention for the entire Rocky Mountain West, the DNCC today held its eighth in a series of community forums designed to engage local residents in the 2008 Democratic National Convention experience. In the first forum on the Western Slope, DNCC CEO Leah D. Daughtry joined Colorado State Representative Bernie Buescher at Mesa State College to answer questions and offer information to Grand Junction residents looking to get involved in Colorado's first Democratic National Convention in 100 years.

Exactly three months from today, our nominee will take the stage, accept our Party's nomination and truly make history," said Leah D. Daughtry, CEO of the DNCC. "The eyes of the world will be upon us, and I'm confident the people of Colorado will make us proud. The enthusiasm and energy we've experienced from Denver to Pueblo to the Western Slope and across the region over this last year has been extraordinary, and I have no doubt this will continue to grow as we close in on Convention week."

The series - "Convention Conversations: A Traveling Forum Sponsored by the DNCC" - launched in Denver in September and has traveled to Boulder, Colorado Springs, Lakewood and Pueblo Colo. in recent months. In addition to forums in Colorado, the series has also traveled to Las Vegas and Salt Lake City. The community forums are designed to provide residents throughout the region with opportunities for direct communication with top Convention organizers and a venue to ask questions, share ideas and find out how they can get involved in the 2008 Democratic National Convention. The series is scheduled to conclude in June with a final forum in Denver.

"It is estimated that up to 50,000 guests and visitors will pour into Denver for the Convention just ahead of Labor Day weekend," said Colorado State Representative Bernie Buescher. "Many of these visitors will want stay in Colorado over the long weekend, presenting a great opportunity for Grand Junction to showcase its many tourist attractions, ranging from art galleries and vineyards to the 'Trail Through Time' dinosaur interpretive trail and other outdoor activities that we have in our backyard. Grand Junction is an easy weekend trip for any family or individual who wants to see some of Colorado's beauty."

In addition, Daughtry encouraged residents to get involved in the Convention experience by participating in the DNCC's citizen photo journalism initiative and becoming a regular visitor to DemConvention.com. This site now provides visitors with the ability to sign up for regular updates on Convention news, events and other developments. During Convention week, Daughtry also encouraged citizens to visit DemConvention.com for live gavel-to-gavel streaming of the Convention.

In keeping with the goal to engage different types of audiences in new and creative ways, DNCC videographers recorded interviews with Grand Junction area residents attending the forum asking what having a Convention in the Rocky Mountain West means to them. Organizers will work to incorporate those ideas and vision in their planning during the coming months. Interviews from the event will be posted to www.DemConvention.com under the video section in the coming weeks.

Held from August 25-28, 2008, the Convention is expected to pump an estimated $160 million into the Denver area's economy and draw as many as 50,000 visitors to the region.