[caption id="attachment_239" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="David Cohen addresses Tampa delegation"]
[/caption] Benchmarking this morning… Got briefed by David Cohen, the chair of the 2000 host committee that got the RNC to Phily. Takeaways for Tampa:
- Make it an effort to have a long-lasting impact on tourism/hospitality – not just a one-time show.
- Create separate/dedicated transportation system for delegates – make them feel very special and make it so they can go wherever they want to go around the area – free of charge.
- Create promotional program for area restaurants. This was the most disappointed group in Philly – they had high expectations for business, but it didn’t come through because delegates were at the convention from 6 – 10:00 each night. Definitely make public pitch to get locals out in restaurants.
- Like baseball’s Fanfest and basketball’s Jamfest, create Politiicalfest – a multimedia celebration of American politics. Make a replica of oval office. Create a mock up of the convention stage and allow people to give speeches – with balloon drops and all. Sell DVD’s of their speech. Have political memorabilia vendors come in.
- Do video feeds from convention - put up big screens strong city where public can watch. Engage the public – make it free and get local politicians (from both parties) to attend these events and mingle. . Do a Host committee reception every night. Non-partisan reception - thanks to biz community.
- The convention paid off in Phily – they’re consistently up on hotel nights compared to pre-convention and established the city as a player in major hospitality events.
Off to the airport…more later.