MINNEAPOLIS and SAINT PAUL, Minn., Sept. 5, 2008 - The
Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee, Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman,
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and Bloomington Mayor Gene Winstead declared
the 2008 Republican National Convention a success as tens of thousands
of people enjoyed all that Minneapolis, Saint Paul and the surrounding
suburbs have to offer. So far, national and international media exposure
has produced more than 8 billion media impressions, the equivalent of a
$330 million ad campaign.*
"We truly rolled out the red carpet for tens of thousands of delegates,
media and visitors during the 2008 Republican National Convention and the
reviews have been spectacular," said Jeff Larson, CEO of the Minneapolis
Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee. "As we've said all along, the exposure
from this Convention is truly priceless. The coverage we've received so
far is the equivalent of purchasing 122 Super Bowl ads."
While the Convention was held September 1-4 at the Xcel Energy Center,
official events began with the grand opening of CivicFest: A Very Minnesota
Celebration at the Minneapolis Convention Center on Friday, August 29.
The pre-Convention weekend brought many events including spark24, a 24-hour
marathon of cultural performances; a media party that showcased the Minneapolis
riverfront, the Guthrie Theater and the Mill City Museum; and a delegate
party held in CivicFest -- an interactive show featuring 35 world-class
exhibits celebrating Minnesota and American history, democracy and the
U.S. presidency.
"This Convention provided an amazing opportunity for us to show the
world that this is a great place to live, work and start a business," Coleman
said. "We are confident that people will leave here with a positive impression
and that they will want to come back."
More than 45,000 people, including 15,000 media from around the world,
came to Minneapolis Saint Paul for the Convention. From MSNBC doing round-the-clock
coverage in Rice Park to "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" broadcasting
from the Minnesota History Theatre, images of Minneapolis Saint Paul were
seen around the globe.
"Minneapolis Saint Paul showed the thousands of visitors to the 2008
Republican National Convention that our state is beautiful, cultural, hospitable
and smart," Rybak said. "The community truly rallied to put on hundreds
of events to show off our best face and they showed the world what it means
to be Minnesota Nice."
Convention goers also ventured beyond Minneapolis Saint Paul to shop
at Mall of America as well as visit attractions in the surrounding suburbs.
"We have welcomed thousands of people to Bloomington and the Mall of
America has been full of activity since last week," Winstead said. "This
has been an amazing boost to our city's economy and we are thrilled with
the results."
Here are just a few facts and figures:
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From CNN to Italian TV, 15,000 journalists from around the globe came to
Minneapolis Saint Paul to set up shop in and around the Saint Paul RiverCentre
to cover the Convention.
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Approximately 16,000 rooms in nearly 100 hotels were booked in Minneapolis,
Saint Paul, Bloomington and the surrounding suburbs.
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Hotel occupancy rates in downtown Minneapolis ranged from 90 percent to
95 percent compared to 50 percent to 60 percent during the same period
over the last few years. Hotel occupancy rates in Saint Paul also were
90 percent to 95 percent compared to 70 percent.
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25,000 "Wish You Were Here" postcards were mailed to Convention attendees'
friends and families, compliments of the Xcel Energy Center.
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Approximately 100 local entertainment acts performed at more than 60 venues
during spark24, a 24-hour marathon of free entertainment that showcased
the best of the world-class arts scene of Minneapolis Saint Paul. Around
1,000 people came to watch live bands from 2-6 a.m.
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About 10,000 people attended the Media Party, held August 30 on the Mississippi
Riverfront between the Guthrie Theater and the Mill City Museum. Attendees
dined on food prepared by local restaurants and caterers including: 2,300
ears of corn, 2,000 kobe beef sliders, 1,500 shrimp shooters and 16,000
hand-passed hors d'oeuvres. In addition, Pentair distributed 4,000 environmentally
friendly water bottles.
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More than 9,000 people attended the Delegate party, held August 31 inside
CivicFest: A Very Minnesota Celebration, at the Minneapolis Convention
Center and saw exhibits about Minnesota business and innovation.
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Hundreds of people logged more than 700 miles running, biking and swimming
in the More to Tri Fitness Challenge -- a three-day "triathlon" that showcased
Minneapolis Saint Paul's urban green landscape and highlighted the cities'
commitment to healthy and active lifestyles.
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Nearly 2,000 people utilized bikes that were provided by Bikes Belong,
a bicycle industry trade association dedicated to bicycle advocacy, to
experience the city. In total, bicyclists logged about 13,000 miles and
burned 400,000 calories. Their efforts also had a carbon footprint reduction
of 4.5 metric tons.
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More than 344 buses transported delegates and visitors using 26 routes
to various locations. More than 847 cabs participated in reciprocity between
Minneapolis and Saint Paul.
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Area destination marketing organizations filled 1,400 volunteer positions
with 600 destination experts at 50+ hotels to welcome visitors, provide
directions and pass out information about the cities. Volunteers distributed
25,000 official 2008 RNC Minneapolis Saint Paul maps.
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More than 1,000 people logged on to Minneapolis' wireless network this
week, taking advantage of Minneapolis' Free Wireless Wednesday and the
USI Wireless and MySpace kiosks along Nicollet Mall.
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70,000 welcome buttons were distributed and worn by volunteers, hotel staff,
restaurant staff, Convention staff and airport greeters. Six hundred welcome
banners were posted throughout Minneapolis Saint Paul.
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45,000 visitors were personally greeted at MSP International Airport by
Minnesota volunteers.
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65,000 snack boxes were provided by General Mills and distributed at MSP
International Airport and hotels.
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In addition to 3,000 Minneapolis Saint Paul press kits and 5,000 Xcel Energy
Center RNC 2008 lapel pins, more than 150 pounds of Frango mints, nearly
100 pounds of Jelly Bellies and about 110 pounds of peanuts were distributed
to the media by the Host Committee Media Resource Center during the four-day
Convention.
*Media values are estimates based on calculations from a standard
formula used to calculate impressions and ad equivalency. This formula
takes the circulation total and multiplies that number by 2.5 to come up
with the media impressions. That number is then multiplied by .04 to get
an estimated ad equivalency.
About The Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee
The Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee is a non-partisan, 501c3
nonprofit charged with promoting the commerce, image and prestige of Minneapolis,
Saint Paul and the entire region in preparation for the 2008 Republican
National Convention. The Host Committee is made up of community leaders
who are committed to educating people and businesses to come to Minnesota
to work, live, play, visit and invest. For more information, visit www.msp2008.com. |