When Democratic convention leaders unveiled a vendor directory last week, organizers promised the online tool will be a no-fail way to help Charlotte-area businesses land work during the 2012 convention and beyond.
Robyn Hamilton, the convention's director of business outreach, said organizers didn't have statistics on how similar directories established in other cities hosting conventions have worked out.
But in Denver, the host city for the 2008 DNC, disappointed businesspeople gave their directory a big thumbs-down, according to The Denver Post.
Convention CEO Steve Kerrigan promised Charlotte's directory "far exceeds the work done in other cities ... This tool will provide far more access."
To find the directory, go to charlottein2012.com and look for "Vendor Directory."
Celeste Smith
Where's Obama staying?
Folks at the Westin Charlotte hotel say they honestly have no idea where President Barack Obama will stay during next year's Democratic National Convention.
Just because DNC organizers already have booked all 700 rooms, according to the hotel, doesn't mean anything.
Still, people keep calling to ask if Obama will stay there. There is a Presidential Suite on the 25th floor, after all.
If the first family does pick that hotel, it's ready: It recently debuted its newly renovated rooms, lobby, meeting spaces and restaurant.
Here's a plush freebie you can get that the president may not. "Like" us on our Facebook page, facebook.com/charlottedemconvention, to be entered in a random drawing for a Westin Heavenly Robe. One winner will be picked Friday.
Celeste Smith
Chamber to hear the latest
Going to South Carolina to talk about business and politics may sound like a Republican's idea of a good time.
But, in fact, the Charlotte Chamber's annual retreat at the Wild Dunes Resort in Isle of Palm, S.C., will have a strong Democratic feel to it this year.
That's because the business group will get a full-dress report on how Charlotte is preparing for its week in the spotlight.
On Oct. 13, the chamber will hear from Mayor Anthony Foxx, convention CEO Steve Kerrigan, and host committee head Dan Murrey - all big Democrats.
The chamber worked closely with the city to help land the Democratic convention. Now it's working with Murrey's committee to make sure Charlotte shines next September.
And chamber President Bob Morgan, who's worked for GOP politicians in the past, says he's seen "virtually no pushback" from Republicans in the chamber or in Charlotte as a whole.
"Charlotte is a business town," he told the Observer. "And our members appreciate that this (Democratic convention) represents an unprecedented business opportunity for the city." Tim Funk
Partisan pole-ing
The arrival of a national political convention takes a lot of planning in the host town including, it seems, for local strip clubs.
The Huffington Post recently wrote on renovations and other prep work being done by the Tampa-area adult services industry ahead of next year's Republican National Convention.
But what about Charlotte? It appears a similar story is in the works for the Queen City, writes Erik Wemple of the Washington Post.
He wrote Thursday that HuffPo has teamed with Creative Loafing outlets in Tampa and Charlotte for its ongoing convention coverage - including strip clubs. April Bethea
