DENVER'S TWO DAILY NEWSPAPERS JOIN WITH ELITCH GARDENS TO HOST MEDIA WELCOMING PARTY FOR 2008 DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION Aug. 23rd event also supported by Molson Coors and Vail Resorts;
fireworks will cap the evening in festive opening to convention Denver, CO - March 20, 2008 - The opening event for the Democratic National Convention will be the Media Welcoming Party held Aug. 23 at Elitch Gardens Theme Park, with The Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News as premier sponsors.
Elbra Wedgeworth, President/Chair of the Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee, and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper made the announcement during a press conference Thursday at Elitch Gardens.
Joining in the announcement were Harry Whipple, President and CEO of the Denver Newspaper Agency, and Joe Martinez, General Manager of Elitch Gardens. The two daily newspapers and the 118-year-old Elitch's long have been symbols of Denver as well as leaders in their respective industries.
"As Colorado media leaders, the Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News are looking forward to hosting the Democratic National Convention media party," Whipple said. "With over 15,000 members of the media covering the convention, there has never been a larger spotlight on our city, and we want to make sure that spotlight shines bright and captures all the vitality that Denver has to offer."
In his remarks, Joe Martinez, Elitch Gardens General Manager, harkened back to how the theme park was involved when the Democratic Convention was held in Denver 100 years ago.
"In 1908 Elitch Gardens extended its hospitality to the delegates of the Democratic National Convention," Martinez said. "In 2008, a century later, Elitch Gardens Theme Park is excited to have the opportunity to once again make Denver proud. We are pleased to partner with the City of Denver for this truly historic event."
The Media Welcoming Party is the first of dozens of hospitality events that will be staged by the Denver Host Committee during the week of the convention. Each event will be planned to minimize the impact to the local environment.
"Elitch Gardens understands the importance of protecting the environment," Martinez said, "and we are committed to working with the Denver 2008 Convention Committee to create a green event."
The Rocky Mountain News and Denver Post long have been the media leaders in Colorado, and Whipple said the Media Welcoming Party is a perfect way to showcase both newspapers and their community involvement.
"Many of our colleagues from around the world will be visiting Denver for the first time and will be looking to the Rocky Mountain News and The Denver Post for guidance, support and resources," Whipple said. The Denver Newspaper Agency manages the business operations of the two daily newspapers.
Wedgeworth noted that the event would showcase Denver well.
"Nothing says Denver like Elitch Gardens," Wedgeworth said. "And to have the two daily newspapers that Denver has grown up reading helping sponsor the event is a perfect way to show what Denver is about."
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