Charlotte Residents And Students Among The First To See Podium At 2012 Democratic National Convention

DNCC CEO Steve Kerrigan, Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx Give Local Students First Look at Convention Hall

CHARLOTTE, Aug. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Delivering on the Democratic National Convention Committee's (DNCC) commitment to hold the most open and accessible convention in history, the DNCC hosted a Community Open House at the Time Warner Cable Arena today, welcoming Charlotte residents and students to be among the first to see the convention podium where history will take place in less than a week.

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DNCC CEO Steve Kerrigan and Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx led students from the North Carolina School for the Deaf (NCSD) on a tour of the innovative convention hall and explained the significance of this year's convention. NCSD, established in 1894, is a day/residential facility for the education of children who are deaf and hard of hearing. NCSD serves students in grades k-12 from the western half of the state.

"Charlotte residents have been great partners throughout the convention planning process, and opening the doors to Charlotteans today is just one more way that we are engaging more Americans than ever before," said Kerrigan.  "Today's community open house is a thank-you for all that Charlotte has done to make this convention a success."

"Charlotte is electric with anticipation for the convention," said Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx. "Charlotteans cannot wait to host this historic event, and today's open house is a great way to kick off convention festivities. We look forward to welcoming visitors to Charlotte and know that they will enjoy all that the Queen City has to offer."

The unveiled convention hall, including podium and stage, was designed to fit within the unique space at the Time Warner Cable Arena.  Smaller than previous setting, the Arena lends itself to an end stage configuration. The set up allows the speakers to be surrounded by delegates on three sides and helps visually display the convention theme of Americans Coming Together.

DNCC Theo LeCompte said he was excited to share the completed construction with Charlotte residents.

"Today marks the kick-off of official convention events and the end of months of diligent planning and work. I am thrilled that Charlotte residents got a first glimpse of the arena's complete transformation into a state-of-the-art convention center," said LeCompte.

ABOUT THE DNCC
The  2012 Democratic National Convention Committee is a not-for-profit organization responsible for planning and executing the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, the week of September 3, 2012.

SOURCE 2012 Democratic National Convention Committee