There could be as many as 400 members of the media at the Forum including broadcast networks, wire services, newspaper and magazine journalists, bloggers and online media as will as foreign correspondents and Hispanic media, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Media tours Republican National Convention sites is a post from: 2012 Republican National Convention | Tampa Bay, Florida - August 27 - 30, 2012 | GOPConvention2012.com

The Republican National Convention today unveiled its new blog, Conventional Wisdom, that will use an informal, conversational style to tell the story of the 40th Republican presidential nominating convention to be held later this summer in Tampa.

“Creating an interesting and useful blog is just one way of communicating with people across the country,” said convention Chief Executive Officer William Harris. “It’s part of our larger plan to open the convention and make it accessible to as many people as possible using cutting-edge technology and interactive social media.”

The blog will feature videos, graphics and incisive writing to deliver the latest news and information about planning and holding a national political convention. It will focus on events occurring in the Tampa Bay area as well as activities around the country as delegates and party officials plan their August journeys to Tampa.

“We want to encourage participation, so don’t hesitate to offer suggestions for our blog at blog@GOPConvention2012.com,” said Communications Director James Davis. “We’d like to hear from you on how we can peel back the curtain of the convention in a way that’s educational, interesting and fun.”

In keeping with its participatory theme, the blog’s name was chosen through online voting based on suggestions solicited on Facebook. The list of submissions was winnowed down to sixteen entries that were pitted against each other in a NCAA-style bracket online tournament christened “Blog Madness.”

Republican Convention Unveils New Blog is a post from: 2012 Republican National Convention | Tampa Bay, Florida - August 27 - 30, 2012 | GOPConvention2012.com

The blog, which is titled Conventional Wisdom and can be found here, “will feature incisive writing, streaming video and eye-catching graphics to give [readers] the latest news and information about convention planning … as delegates and alternates prepare to nominate the next president of the United States,” the memo states.

Davis writes that the name Conventional Wisdom was chosen from  suggestions submitted through Facebook. The blog’s goal is to have “an interesting and fun online experience that will be effective in communicating with people all across the United States,” Davis continued.

The convention will be held in Tampa, Fla., from Aug. 27-30.

RNC: Blog Offers Insider’s View of Convention is a post from: 2012 Republican National Convention | Tampa Bay, Florida - August 27 - 30, 2012 | GOPConvention2012.com

The Committee on Arrangements for the 2012 Republican National Convention today announced hotel assignments for the 56 Republican delegations that will travel to the Tampa Bay area for the August 27-30 convention.

“From Harbour Island to Clearwater and St. Petersburg, and all the beautiful beaches, the Tampa Bay area is one of America’s premiere vacation and business destinations,” said convention Chief Executive Officer William Harris. “So wherever you’re staying, you’re going to have a great experience.”

Convention organizers reserved 16,000 rooms at approximately 100 hotels in the Tampa Bay area. Official delegations from 50 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories will be housed in 36 hotels. The remaining hotels will accommodate other convention visitors, including media representatives and Republican Party officials.

Harris noted that convention organizers will charter 300 buses to shuttle delegates, alternate delegates, the media and other guests from their respective hotels to the Tampa Bay Times Forum, where the convention will take place, and to the Tampa Convention Center, which will serve as the workspace for the 15,000 media members expected to cover the event.

“We thank the Tampa Bay hospitality industry for working so closely with us to make the convention a success, and especially those facilities that were selected to accommodate our 56 delegations,” he added.

The official 2012 Republican National Convention delegation hotel assignments are as follows:

Alabama – Crowne Plaza Tampa Westshore
Alaska – Postcard Inn on the Beach
American Samoa – Hilton Clearwater Beach
Arizona – Embassy Suites Tampa – Airport Westshore
Arkansas – Hilton Garden Inn Tampa Ybor Historic District
California – Tradewinds Island Resorts on St. Pete Beach
Colorado – Holiday Inn Clearwater-St. Petersburg Airport
Connecticut – Bilmar Beach Resort
Delaware – Wyndham Tampa Westshore
District of Columbia – Wyndham Tampa Westshore
Florida – Innisbrook Resort
Georgia – Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay
Guam – Alden Beach Resort & Suites
Hawaii – Sheraton Suites Tampa Airport Westshore
Idaho – St. Petersburg Marriott Clearwater
Illinois – Sheraton Sand Key Resort
Indiana – Holiday Inn Harbourside
Iowa – Sunset Vistas Beachfront Suites
Kansas – Hilton Garden Inn Tampa Airport Westshore
Kentucky – Wyndham Garden Clearwater Beach
Louisiana – Saddlebrook Resort
Maine – Wyndham Tampa Westshore
Maryland – DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Tampa Bay
Massachusetts – Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina
Michigan – Embassy Suites Tampa – Downtown Convention Center
Minnesota – Sirata Beach Resort & Conference Center
Mississippi – Hyatt Regency Tampa
Missouri – Tampa Airport Marriott
Montana – Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Clearwater Beach
Nebraska – Alden Beach Resort & Suites
Nevada – DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Tampa Airport – Westshore
New Hampshire – Wyndham Tampa Westshore
New Jersey – Sirata Beach Resort & Conference Center
New Mexico – Holiday Inn Clearwater – St. Petersburg Airport
New York – Hilton Clearwater Beach
North Carolina – Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront
North Dakota – Bilmar Beach Resort
Northern Mariana Islands – Tradewinds Island Resorts on St. Pete Beach
Ohio – Mainsail Suites Hotel & Conference Center
Oklahoma – Best Western Bay Harbor Hotel
Oregon – Sheraton Sand Key Resort
Pennsylvania – DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Tampa Airport – Westshore
Puerto Rico – Hilton Clearwater Beach
Rhode Island – Clearwater Beach Marriott Suites on Sand Key
South Carolina – Innisbrook Resort
South Dakota – Shephard’s Beach Resort
Tennessee – Safety Harbor Resort & Spa
Texas – Saddlebrook Resort
U.S. Virgin Islands – Crystal Palms Beach Resort
Utah – Hilton Tampa Airport Westshore
Vermont – Wyndham Tampa Westshore
Virginia – Clearwater Beach Marriott Suites on Sand Key
Washington – Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Clearwater Beach
West Virginia – Sheraton Suites Tampa Airport Westshore
Wisconsin – Hyatt Regency Tampa
Wyoming – Sheraton Suites Tampa Airport Westshore

Republican Convention Delegations Receive Tampa Bay Area Hotel Assignments is a post from: 2012 Republican National Convention | Tampa Bay, Florida - August 27 - 30, 2012 | GOPConvention2012.com

On May 14-16, we’ll welcome several hundred members of the media to Tampa for our Spring Media Walk-Through. While there’s obviously a lot of work to be done, we’ve made enormous progress since the media’s earlier trip in December.

The Walk-Through offers news organizations the opportunity to work over the innumerable details about security, workspace logistics, housing, transportation, parking and costs – all part of making sure the story of our nominees is told in the most powerful way possible.

Your involvement is crucial if we’re to make the 2012 Republican National Convention a success. I hope we can count on you to sign up for our e-mail updates and join us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ – and to encourage your friends to do so.

Together, we’ll all be part of history.

Sincerely,

William D. Harris
Chief Executive Officer
2012 Republican National Convention

The results of an online contest to name the 2012 Republican National Convention are in and the winning name is Conventional Wisdom.

Conventional Wisdom will take you behind the scenes as the stage is set for the 40th Republican National Convention, giving you a never-before-possible view of the proceedings, as well as insights about Tampa Bay and its history.

You can soon visit Conventional Wisdom through the convention website www.GOPConvention2012.com. Please check in soon and share it with your friends.



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We recently interviewed Matt Becker, chief operating officer for the 2012 Tampa Bay Host Committee. He outlined his ideas and commitment for success by the Host Committee, a non-partisan group that raises “private funds to alleviate the burdens on government in paying for certain costs of the convention.”

The Host Committee plans to raise $55 million to help pay for various activities associated with hosting the 2012 Republican National Convention. Some 50,000 people are expected to visit the Tampa Bay area during the convention, including up to 15,000 members of the media. The Host Committee will also oversee upwards of 7,500 volunteers who will welcome guests at local airports and hotels throughout the area, and support Host Committee programs and events.

Ultimately, the Host Committee hopes to project a favorable image of Tampa Bay to encourage future tourism and economic investment in the region.

Q. For convention week, what do the volunteers have to
accomplish to achieve success?

A. The Host Committee’s Volunteer Program is crucial to the success of the Republican National Convention. Our volunteers are essentially the “faces” of Tampa Bay. They will be the first people our guests will come in contact with. What better way to market the region than by having the very people who live and work here greet our guests with smiling faces? We believe that by featuring friendly and helpful locals, the Tampa Bay region will provide a welcoming presence to the delegates, their guests and the media.

Q. Long after the convention is over, how will the Host Committee measure success for Tampa Bay?

A. We plan to measure success in the years to come by the economic development the convention will bring to the region. The Host Committee’s mission is to create a buzz about Tampa Bay, as not only a tourist destination, but as a business destination as well. If we can bring the community together to showcase our region during this once-in-a-lifetime event, I have no doubt that we will be successful in developing additional tourist and business activity in our region.

Q. Please give us an update on volunteer recruitment efforts.

A. We are making great strides in our volunteer recruitment efforts. It has been six weeks since the Host Committee first launched its Volunteer Program, and in that time, we have already filled close to 50 percent of all of our volunteer roles. The Tampa Bay region, as a whole, is extremely excited to host the convention and is looking forward to welcoming our guests with open arms. It cannot be said enough, the Host Committee, as well as the community, is doing everything possible to make this convention a success.

Q. Can you outline some of the key community programs planned by the Host Committee for the coming months?

A. Two key programs the Host Committee is implementing are the Small Business Network Directory and the combined Media and Delegate Welcome Event. The Small Business Network Directory is a listing of small businesses in Tampa Bay that delegations, corporations and other guests can utilize as they may need during the convention. Promoting our small business community is one of our primary goals as a Host Committee, and we believe that no other Host Committee has been as resolute in doing this as we have been and will continue to be.

In addition to the Small Business Network Directory, the Host Committee is working diligently to put together a combined media and delegate party on the night before the convention begins. We believe this will be a fantastic opportunity for the delegates, media and guests to interact, make new friendships and enjoy our hospitality while at the same time showcasing the Tampa Bay region as a wonderful place to live, work and play.

Q. You’ve been a vice president at Regions Bank, deputy chief of staff for the U.S. Small Business Administration and also worked at the U.S. Department of Education. How has all of this strategic management experience in your background helped you in your role as COO for the Host Committee?

A. Communication has been key in any role I have been in, whether that was in the public sector or private sector. As chief operating officer of the Host Committee, I am responsible for communicating to the local community the role of the Host Committee. Most importantly to us is that the community realizes that we are a non-partisan, non-profit organization promoting Tampa Bay. In doing so, I try to be as open and transparent in all the facets of our day-to-day operations as possible, whether that is internally or externally. It is vital that the Tampa Bay region is informed and educated on what the Host Committee is about and what its purpose is in the community and for the convention.

Q. You’ve been at this for a few months already. While there still is plenty of heavy lifting to go, what advice you can offer now to similar Host Committee efforts in other cities for future GOP Conventions?

A. It is a constant struggle to distinguish the role of the Host Committee in planning for the convention. While we are the official designated Presidential Nominating Convention Host Committee for the Republican National Convention, we are in no way involved in politics. In fact, we are unable to talk about anything politically-based and are a non-partisan, non-profit organization. The more future Host Committees are able to communicate their roles in this process, the more quickly they will get substantial buy-in from the community to support their efforts to promote their region.

Q. Are there any important questions I haven’t asked you or is there a final, summary statement you’d like to conclude this Q&A with?

A. The Host Committee has recently partnered with the Outdoor Arts Foundation (OAF) to bring a “herd” of elephants to Tampa Bay during the Convention. The arts project will feature 4-by-4-foot fiberglass elephants designed and decorated by local artists and students and sponsored by patrons both locally and nationally. The elephants will be displayed throughout Tampa Bay during the convention. This is part of the Host Committee’s ongoing efforts to showcase the region to the guests who will be visiting our area this summer. The partnership has been met with tremendous excitement, and the community is thrilled to show off the Tampa Bay region this August.

Anyone interested in becoming a patron, can contact OAF’s executive director Jay Goulde at (727) 954-4025 or jgoulde@tampabay.rr.com. More information can also be found on the Host Committee’s website at www.2012Tampa.com.



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Whether at work or play, convention staffers and their families enjoy spending time in Tampa Bay.

They must have learned from dad! Director of External Affairs Jason Osborne steps out of the frame to watch his kids, Hudson and Reagan (L to R), feed giraffes at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.	Director of Communications and Chief Spokesperson James Davis gives an interview before speaking at a luncheon at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.	Go Bolts! Staffers Kali Dean (L) and Anastasia Hardin (R) take in a hockey game at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

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Since October, convention staffers have worked to become a part of the Tampa Bay community they now call home. Committee on Arrangements (COA) team members were spotted working at various charity events and fundraisers throughout Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas Counties.

Staffers spent March 31 at the Charity Polo Classic (CPC), an event that combined the fast-paced game of polo with food and fashion – all in the name of a good cause. Held in Plant City at DI Polo Tour, the CPC raised thousands of dollars for the Combat Wounded Veterans’ Challenge, the Children’s Cancer Center and Kettle Comfort.

Staff members helped with ticket sales, registration and other activities. Rain clouds that gathered midway through the event held off through all six periods, known as chukkas, and everyone was able to safely enjoy a day of sport and giving.

“It was a fun way to mix an action-packed game with a good cause,” explained Executive Secretary Erica Carson. “I enjoy giving my time at events like this because they raise a lot of money for very deserving organizations – and watching a polo match is a pretty neat experience.”

A week later, the COA teamed up with the Tampa Bay Host Committee to shoot “Birdies for the Brave.” The event is just one of many in the Champions Tour, a traveling golf pro/am that benefits military-affiliated charities.

The tour arrived at TPC Tampa Bay on April 9 and COA directors Thomas Maxwell and Jason Osborne, along with Paul Watson of the Host Committee, played 18 holes.

“It was an honor playing in a tournament that benefited the brave men and women who serve our country, particularly those who are wounded in the line of duty while fighting for our freedom,” said Osborne.

“The golf is just an added bonus. I was fortunate to be paired with a retired Navy S.E.A.L for the round. Knowing we’re helping these good folks who have given so much for us as Americans, that’s the most important part of this tournament,” said Director of Financial Services and Administration Thomas Maxwell.
COA staffers continue to foster their partnership with Metropolitan Ministries in Tampa. Regular visits to the food bank and outreach center involve sorting and preparing food and serving hot meals to those in need.

Metro Ministries has been serving poor and homeless families in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Polk Counties for more than 40 years.

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The Coliseum

535 4th Avenue North
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Main number – (813) 875-7753
www.stpete.org/coliseum

The cream-colored, Mediterranean-style facility known as the Coliseum is located in charming downtown St. Petersburg. The Coliseum is a multi-use facility characterized by high ceilings, oak floors and a great entertainment stage.

Built in 1924, the Coliseum has earned a reputation over the years for its ability to create unique events by providing a flexible event space. Claiming the title, “Finest ballroom in the south,” the Coliseum is sure to host an award-winning event.

Morean Arts Center

719 Central Avenue
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Main number – (727) 822-7872
www.moreanartscenter.org

Located in downtown St. Petersburg, the Morean Arts Center is filled with diverse works of art from the talented hands of numerous artists. Galleries are rotated every few months to give interested artists from the community opportunity to have their works on display. In addition to gallery space, the Morean Arts Center provides flexible event space as well.

“Make Space” is the hands-on area within the Center that allows guests to come in and express themselves with their own materials. Adjacent to the Morean Arts Center main facility is the Glass Studio Hot Shop, which provides guests a behind-the-scenes look at how glass is made.

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As the convention draws closer, we look forward to eight nominating contests during the month of May. Here’s a look at the members of the Committee on Arrangements who represent states with May events:

	National Committeewoman Reta Hamilton (Arkansas) Party activist Reta Hamilton is completing her second term as national committeewoman for the Republican Party of Arkansas. A member of the RNC Rules Committee since 2010, Hamilton has been a delegate to every Republican National Convention since 1992 and has been a member of the Convention Rules Committee since 1996.
	National Committeewoman Dee Dee Benkie (Indiana) Indiana National Committeewoman Dee Dee Benkie currently serves the RNC on the Technology Committee and Member Finance Committee. She co-hosted an award-winning television talk show for WAV-TV 53 in Indianapolis and has become a regular contributor on Fox News and a number of other media outlets. Previously, Benkie served as chairman of the Young Republican National Federation.
	National Committeewoman Gail Russell (Kentucky) Gail Russell was elected national committeewoman for Kentucky in 2005 and is a partner with the Louisville law firm of Goldberg Simpson.  Her main areas of practice are bankruptcy law and creditors’ rights. Russell previously served as estate administrator for the United States Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Kentucky.
	State Chairman Mark Fahleson (Nebraska) State Chairman Mark Fahleson of Lincoln was elected chairman of the Nebraska Republican State Central Committee in 2009. He is an attorney at Rembolt Ludtke LLP and served as a special assistant to the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office. A delegate to the 2008 Republican National Convention, Fahleson began his career as a clerk for the Nebraska Supreme Court and served as chief of staff for U.S. Representative Jon Christensen.
	National Committeeman David Lewis (North Carolina) National Committeeman David Lewis is currently serving in his fifth term as a member of the North Carolina General Assembly, representing Harnett County. He has served on numerous House committees including: Redistricting (Senior Chair); Election Law (Chair); Agriculture (Vice-Chair); Finance (Vice-Chair); Homeland Security, Military and Veteran’s Affairs (Vice-Chair); Health and Human Services-Mental Health; and Commerce and Job Development.  He is the co-owner and CEO of Harnett Tractor Company, Inc. in Dunn, N.C.
	National Committeewoman Donna Cain (Oregon) Oregon Republican Party (ORP) member Donna Cain was elected the ORP national committeewoman in 2008 and serves on the RNC’s Standing Rules Committee. A certified nurse assistant for more than a decade, Cain was appointed by then-Governor Ted Kulongoski to serve on the Oregon State Board of Nursing.
	National Committeewoman Borah Van Dormolen (Texas) Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Borah Van Dormolen was elected Texas’ national committeewoman in 2009 after serving 23 years in the U.S. Army. Throughout her professional career, Van Dormolen has worked in various command, staff and leadership positions, including spending one term as professor at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. In 2010, she was honored with “Distinguished Military Retiree” for Texas for her outstanding contributions to both active duty and retired service members and their families.
	State Chairman Mike Stuart (West Virginia) Elected in 2010, State Chairman Mike Stuart is a member of the Republican National Lawyers Association and practices corporate law at Steptoe & Johnson, PLLC. Stuart is president and founder of the West Virginia Conservative Foundation and an adjunct professor of law at West Virginia University. He is the chairman of the RNC Standing Committee on Resolutions.

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* Denotes a non-binding primary



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April Convention Update is a post from: 2012 Republican National Convention | Tampa Bay, Florida - August 27 - 30, 2012 | GOPConvention2012.com

TAMPA, Fla. — Republican convention organizers today announced that AT&T has been named the “Official Wireless Provider of the 2012 Republican National Convention” and will provide an array of products and services to support and enhance carrier-provided wireless communications in and around key convention venues in the Tampa Bay area.

Under an agreement with the convention, AT&T will support convention planners’ overall mobility efforts by providing voice and data communication services and a variety of mobile devices to help maintain fully integrated communications throughout the convention process.

In addition, AT&T is helping the convention expand its outreach and communications through the development of mobile applications and other services.

As part of the official provider announcement, the Republican National Convention announced a text messaging campaign, supported by AT&T technologies, that allows interested parties to sign up to be among the first to receive breaking news about the August event, including convention speakers and a schedule of daily events.

To sign up for these alerts, text “convention” to 99000 from your mobile device.

“This will be the first national political convention of the social networking era, with unprecedented demand for carrier-provided wireless broadband and AT&T is working to making sure that the convention is more than up to the task,” said convention Chief Executive Officer William Harris.

“Thanks to the improvements we envision, Tampa Bay will be the envy of the world,” said Harris. “This will help ensure convention-goers are able to share the sights, sounds and excitement as we nominate the next president of the United States.”

“We are delighted to be working with the Republican National Convention to provide wireless service and support at this summer’s convention,” said Ralph de la Vega, president and chief executive officer of AT&T Mobility. “AT&T is privileged to offer the technical expertise of our employees and the capabilities of our wireless network to serve the 50,000 visitors expected in the Tampa Bay region. We look forward to continuing to invest and providing Floridians with superior service long after the convention is over.”

About AT&T:

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s largest 4G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile Internet, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T ¦DIRECTV brands. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising.

Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com. This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at http://www.att.com/newsroom and as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss. Or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT.

©2012 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. 4G not available everywhere. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

Republican Convention Names AT&T Official Wireless Provider is a post from: 2012 Republican National Convention | Tampa Bay, Florida - August 27 - 30, 2012 | GOPConvention2012.com

There are many heroes, such as hedge fund king Jeff Vinik, the Tampa Bay Lightning owner, who is giving away millions to deserving charities and $40 million-plus of his own money for a fabulous renovation of their home, the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

There are many heroines, such as a 10-year-old girl named Pennsylvania, who inspired whole generations in Tampa. Pennsylvania, the daughter of Martin Herrera, filled in for her Cuban patriot dad for a huge speech and moved the crowd to tears during her 1895 speech in West Tampa following the news of the breakout of the Cuban Revolution. She pled with “eloquence and earnestness” for the country she would lay down her sweet young life to save from serfdom. A Tampa Times reporter watched tearfully, in awe of how the young Tampa’s often revolutionarily passionate stock distinguished even Tampa’s youngest.

In the 1500s, young Indian Princess Ulela showed compassion, Spanish journals clearly document, as she saved the life of Juan Ortiz, a young Spanish soldier who served under Panfilo de Narvaez, the Spaniard who led the first recorded exploration of Tampa Bay in the 1530s.

The RNC will be inspired by Tampa’s spicy, glorious history is a post from: 2012 Republican National Convention | Tampa Bay, Florida - August 27 - 30, 2012 | GOPConvention2012.com

TAMPA, FL – Advancing efforts to make the 2012 Republican National Convention the most dynamic, state-of-the-art event in the party’s history, organizers today announced Microsoft Corporation will serve as the convention’s Official Innovation Provider. The announcement underscores convention Chief Executive Officer William Harris’ commitment to embrace new technology that will spur interest and enthusiasm leading up to the August 27-30 event in Tampa.

The relationship includes a host of pioneering Microsoft solutions such as natural user interface in Microsoft’s Kinect, and video communications technology in Microsoft’s Skype. In addition, collaboration will be streamlined and improved through the use of the Microsoft Office Suite, SharePoint technologies and consulting services.

Microsoft technologies are designed to help people stay connected, collaborate and communicate as well as to create, access and share data, information and digital content in new ways. Many of these innovations have demonstrated remarkable uses in education, medicine, business and many other applications – and can also help transform the convention experience. Microsoft and the convention will continue to find ways to leverage Microsoft’s technologies and experienced support teams to make this convention the most innovative to date.

“Technology is changing the way we plan and conduct conventions,” said Harris, a veteran convention planner who has helped managed three conventions. “We are working with Microsoft to identify new ways to improve the convention experience for not only attendees in Tampa, but interested individuals across the country.”

Added Brad Smith, Microsoft’s General Counsel and Executive Vice President, “Microsoft is excited to collaborate with the Republican National Convention on this important event. Through the use of Microsoft’s latest technology products, services and expertise, we aim to make this the most interactive, engaging and technologically advanced convention yet.”

About Microsoft Corporation
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services, and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

2012 Republican National Convention Names Microsoft Official Innovation Provider is a post from: 2012 Republican National Convention | Tampa Bay, Florida - August 27 - 30, 2012 | GOPConvention2012.com

With the huge throng of press making its way to the Tampa area for the Aug. 27-30 convention, many journalists are looking for efficient and effective ways to get news out.

Social media is expected to be the answer. “They are going to enhance our ability to take the convention outside of Tampa,” said James Davis, RNC Communications Director. “(And) break down the convention walls and taking it to people across the country and around the world.”

Several members of the Bay area media have already met with Davis in advance of the event, expected to bring about 15,000 members of the media to the area.

RNC media prepping for new ways to get the word out is a post from: 2012 Republican National Convention | Tampa Bay, Florida - August 27 - 30, 2012 | GOPConvention2012.com

GOP leaders are designating the search giant and YouTube as the “Official Social Platform and Live Stream Provider” of the 2012 convention in Tampa, Fla., which kicks off on Aug. 27.

For the RNC, the new partnership with Google and YouTube means it can upgrade its convention experience ahead of the most digitally oriented presidential election ever. Google plans to livestream convention events using Google+ Hangouts and show off parts of the convention floor on Google Maps, while teaching delegates and others on hand how to share their experiences online.

RNC CEO William Harris said in a statement the goal is to provide voters “an unprecedented degree of participation and, for the very first time, [give] every American who has access to a computer, tablet, video gaming system, interactive television, or video-enabled smart-phone an exclusive backstage pass to the podium of a national political convention.”

Google tapped for Tampa convention is a post from: 2012 Republican National Convention | Tampa Bay, Florida - August 27 - 30, 2012 | GOPConvention2012.com