Denver's Gearing up for the DNC

Posted by Donna Dailey Aug 1, 2008

With the Democratic National Convention just three weeks away, Denver is gearing up for the biggest event the city has ever seen. Some 50,000 visitors will be arriving in the city for the convention, held August 25-28, including delegates, media, campaign workers and anyone else eager to be here for what will likely turn out to be a milestone in political history.

This isn't the first time the Democrats have held their National Convention in Denver. They met here 100 years ago, in July of 1908, when they chose William Jennings Bryan as their presidential candidate. It was the famous orator's third bid for the presidency, which he lost to William Taft.

A century on, the Mile High City is ready to roll out the red, white and blue carpet once again. By the time the delegates arrive, the Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau will have trained upwards of 3,500 people in its "Go the EXTRA Mile" hospitality program. These include taxi drivers, rental car staff, hotel and restaurant workers, and airport employees.

The aim is to improve customer service and help visitors make the most of their stay in Denver, a goal which will have long-term benefits to Denver as a travel destination.

Some of Denver's top hotels are also getting into the spirit. The Brown Palace has re-reinstalled a historic 16-by-30-foot flag in the center of its atrium lobby. The flag hung there from the 1940s until 1996, and will remain until the end of the convention. They have also temporarily renamed the Eisenhower Presidential Suite as the Barack Obama Suite.

At the Hotel Monaco, guests will be greeted by Hercules, the hotel's four-legged Director of Pet Relations, decked out in his Super Delegate red, white and blue tuxedo and top hat.

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