Posted April 29, 2016 | by KimS | in DemDaily, Resource

Convention Central: Convention Primer! What and Who you Need to Know

April 28, 2016

For those just now focusing on this summer's Democratic Convention, a primer!

The Place: July 25-28, 2016 in Philadelphia at The Wells Fargo Center & Pennsylvania Convention Center.

Republicans meet the previous week from July 18-21st in Cleveland.

The Purpose: The national political parties convene every four years to choose their nominees for President and Vice President, and to adopt a public platform or "plank" of issues. The Convention marks the end of the primary election period in June, and the kick off to the November 8, 2016 general election race for our 45th President.

The Process: The four-day Convention Schedule covers official party business, speeches and final VP selection - and culminates in a state-by-state roll call vote for the Presidential nominee. 6,000 delegates from all fifty states, the territories and Democrats Abroad vote for the Party's nominee.

The People: 50,000 delegates, elected and party officials, donors, activists, lobbyists, labor, celebrities and media will attend. Another 35 million will tune in nightly by television.

The Players: Two Committees run the convention - The DNCC and the Philly Host Committee.

The Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC)

Convention CEO & Reverend Leah D. Daughtry leads a team of veteran politicos who oversee convention operations, politics and public engagement, including Credentialing, Housing, Transportation, Site Operations, Media and Vendor relations.

The Top Team

CEO: Reverend Leah D. Daughtry

Chief of Staff: Matthew Butler

Deputy CEO of Communications: April Mellody

Deputy CEO of Public Engagement: Brian Bond

Deputy CEO of Logistics: Zoe Garmendia

Deputy CEO of Convention Complex Management: Travis Dredd

Deputy CEO Administration and Finance: Angelo Carusone

Chief Counsel: Danielle Cooper-Daughtry

Communications: Facilitates the DNCC's message, information and interaction with the public through the press & online media tools.

Director of Press Relations: Kyle Anderson

Press Secretary: Lee Whack

Deputy Press Secretary: Morgan Finkelstein

Deputy Press Secretary: Christopher Huntley

Assistant Press Secretary: Jessica Torres

Director of Press Operations: Kelli Farr

Digital Director: Kelli Klein

Deputy Digital Director: Heather Barmore

Public Engagement: The link between the convention and the public at large, including party leaders, constituency groups and governments.

Deputy Director of Public Engagement: Portia Reddick-White

Senior Advisor and Director of Government Relations: Cynthia Jasso-Rotunno

Director of Constituent & Allied Outreach: Tamia Booker

Director of Party Leader Outreach: Clark Lee

Director of Public Participation: Joe Hill

Director of Special Events: Stacy Eichner

Associate Director of Public Engagement Davey McKissick

Logistics: The critical operations that keep the convention running smoothly.

Director of Credentials: Lisa Hargrove-Ware

Associate Director of Credentials: Gina Manley

Director of Housing: Jean Doherty

Director of Security: Jeffrey Gavin

Director of Transportation: Andrew Ballard

Complex Management: Logistics and operations of the various convention venues.

Staff Director, Complex Management: Amy Chiou

Director of Hall Management: Monica Ortiz

Director of Hall Operations: Eric Munson

Director of Media Logistics: Karen Burchard

Administration & Finance

Director of Operations: Casey Frary

Associate Director of Operations: Victoria Meaney

Director of Human Resources & Administration: Judy Magee

Technology: Management of the strategic technical, presentation and operational needs of the other departments.

Chief Innovation Officer: Andrew Binns

Innovation Coordinator: Shelby Wagenseller

Director of Technology: Darryl Stanley

Production: Management and creative production of the convention as presented on television.

Executive Producers: Ricky Kirshner & Vicangelo Bulluck

The 2016 Philadelphia Host Committee is led by former Governor Ed Rendell and Philly's finest citizens, and are responsible for promoting the host city and raising the bulk of the $85 million to hold the convention (Note: 2014 legislation eliminated the $18 million federal funding allocation for party conventions). The convention will infuse a potential $300 million into the region's economy.

The Team

Chairman: Honorable Ed Rendell

Executive Director: Kevin Washo

Deputy Executive Director: Angela Val

Chief Operating Officer/Chief of Staff: Lila Rose

Chief Financial Officer: Jason O'Malley

Director of External Affairs: Jordan Schwartz

Director of Diversity & Community Engagement: Tiffany Neumis

Senior Advisor: David Cohen

Legal Counsel: Joe Sandler

The largest single gathering of party leaders and influencers, the convention is an unparalleled opportunity to connect with all. DemList will serve as the central calendar and resource for the over 400 official, unofficial, private and public events at the convention!