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July 17, 2007 (MINNEAPOLIS) About a dozen recently hired organizers for the 2008 Republican National Convention received an introduction to Minneapolis today from Mayor R.T. Rybak. The staff members, hired by the Committee on Arrangements (COA), are expert organizers from around the country who have moved to the metro area to plan the convention. Over the next year, the COA and the local Host Committee expect to hire as many as 150 staffers for the convention.

Mayor Rybak’s walking tour of Downtown gave the new staffers a look at one of the areas where many of the convention-goers will spend time during their visit to the Minneapolis - Saint Paul area. Many attendees will stay in downtown hotels, and enjoy the vibrant restaurant and nightlife scene during the convention.

Minneapolis, along with the cities of Saint Paul and Bloomington, the State, the Federal Government, and other Twin Cities communities, are already developing and coordinating plans in preparation for the Convention, so that when the spotlight shines on the Twin Cities, the world will see what a unique and attractive destination we are.

“Although the entire Minneapolis - Saint Paul region will be in the spotlight during the Republican convention, Downtown Minneapolis will proudly be a major center of activity,” said Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak. “In our walking tour today, the new RNC staffers are getting the chance to see how vibrant Minneapolis is, and what a great place it’s going to be for thousands of convention-goers next fall.”

"Both the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul warmly welcome the RNC and Host Committee staff,” said Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman. “Hosting this event in September 2008 is an opportunity of a lifetime for our community. The influx of visitors—including the staff that have already relocated—and the media exposure will bring long term economic benefits to Minneapolis - Saint Paul for years to come."

“This is an exciting opportunity for the whole region,” said Bloomington Mayor Gene Winstead. “Bloomington will be working in combination with the other cities surrounding Minneapolis and Saint Paul to create an environment that will not only showcase our area, but will make the 2008 Republican National Convention one of the best ever!"

The COA staffers are working to make sure all venues for the convention are reserved and ready, including meeting sites, hotels, and recreational gatherings. Working with the local Host Committee and State and local officials, their goal is to ensure that Minneapolis - Saint Paul has a well planned and well run convention in 2008.

“We are honored to be in Minneapolis today with Mayor Rybak, and we are excited to call the Minneapolis - Saint Paul area ‘home’ for the next year,” COA President and Chief Executive Officer Maria Cino said. “Today, we are seeing more of the many great features of the Twin Cities, including friendly and welcoming people, vibrant communities, fine hotels; the list is endless.”

“Solid teamwork is required to put on an event of this magnitude successfully, and the cooperation we are experiencing gives me great confidence in our collective abilities to build a world-class convention,” Cino added. “Excitement and buzz are already intensifying, which is an early sign of great things to come.”

The convention could bring as many as 45,000 visitors to the Minneapolis – Saint Paul area, making it an extremely valuable economic opportunity, as well as a chance to gain international visibility. Hosting a national political convention is extremely valuable – both for visibility and economics. The 2008 Minneapolis – Saint Paul Republican National Convention will benefit the entire state of Minnesota. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development estimates that the Republican National Convention will generate nearly $160 million in new spending to the state. In addition, the convention will create the equivalent of nearly 3,100 annual jobs and $106 million in wages.

City of Minneapolis

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