I had the chance to introduce my new Governor, Colorado’s own Bill Ritter, to the DNC membership this afternoon. He gave a great speech that highlighted the lessons to be shared from the West and the pragmatic, forward-looking leaders of the region tackling big problems. And in Denver, he said, we will choose with one voice a leader who will move us forward as a country. 

He also noted with pride that we’re working in Denver to put on the greenest Convention ever. 

To close the day, the Host Committee held a reception for DNC members to offer them a little preview of next August. On the menu: Boulder Fries on the Fly, Rocky Mountain Buffalo Sliders, Tostadas and “Denveritas" to drink. Two big screens featuring local landmarks and landscapes and music including at least a song or two from The Fray. 

Time to take my shoes off - it’s been quite a day.

Greetings from Vienna, Virginia, where the Democratic National Committee is hosting its Fall Meeting. The DNCC team is here in force as well. We’re staffing a Convention Information Center today and tomorrow, offering a full slate of info on our host city and Convention planning to date to DNC members and other attendees from the Democratic family. We’re even offering Convention “credentials” to those who stop by - lovely souvenirs, although (before you get in your car and head over) they won’t get you into the Pepsi Center next August.

Over in Bloggers Alley, we have information on blogger credentialing in Denver. We also briefed state party chairs yesterday on our new DemConvention State Blogger Corps, and the plan was met with an enthusiastic response.

DNCC Deputy CEO for Public Affairs Jenni Engebretsen was featured in Politics West under the headline Meet the Players. Below are some samples of the Q&A.

Click here to see the rest of the questions.

Recently, we posted a story about our DNCC Service Day with Convention Co-Chair and Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin. This just in: new video of Mayor Franklin touring The Crossing and rolling up her sleeves and sorting canned goods with the Convention team. Click above to watch the video.

During the week of August 25-28, more than 35,000 delegates, media and guests will descend upon Denver for the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Where will they stay? The Democratic National Convention Committee has a block of 17,000 hotel rooms set aside. Delegations are traditionally the first group of Convention attendees to receive their housing assignments — and this was the big week.  

While delegations across the country received their assignments online, DNCC Director of Housing, Tina Akintayo, rolled out the news to the 27 local hotels assigned to house delegations in a very unique way. Watch this video to see how Tina delivered the news around town.

Hello all. This is Sky Gallegos, Deputy CEO for Intergovernmental Affairs, writing my inaugural blog post! This past weekend was the first in a series of "joint appearances" of Colorado Democratic Party State Chair Pat Waak and myself. 

We are traveling the state to brief folks on the Convention (my part) and on how to be a delegate (Pat’s part). Our first outing was in Steamboat on Saturday, and it was great!

We had about 40 people show up, some hard-core activists and some people who just heard about it and were interested in learning more. I have to say, the variety of people in the room and the level of enthusiasm for 2008 echoes the interest and excitement we are seeing all over the state for this Convention. 
 

This past Friday, Atlanta Mayor and Democratic National Convention Co- Chair Shirley Franklin visited Denver and participated in the DNCC Service Days campaign. Mayor Franklin and the DNCC staff sorted more than 2,500 4,000 pounds of canned goods for the homeless and less fortunate at The Crossing, a facility of the Denver Rescue Mission.

DNCC Service Days focus on three areas of importance to the local community: greening, youth and the combined issues of homelessness and hunger.

While the Democratic National Convention is nine months away, the DNCC staff has been hard at work to make the 2008 Democratic National Convention the best Convention in the party’s history.  

Along with planning the events inside Denver’s Pepsi Center, the DNCC staff is dedicated to leaving a lasting impression on our host city through a commitment of volunteer service. In this video, DNCC Director of Public Programs Julie Rodriguez explains the DNCC Service Days program.