GOP Convention - Go LIVE
The 2004 Republican National Convention
Madison Square Garden ~ New York City
August 30 through September 2, 2004
On January 31, 2003, the Republican National Committee (RNC) announced the selection of New York City as the host city for the 2004 GOP Convention. The city was selected by a unanimous vote of the RNC's 165 members because New York offered the best package of goods and services - including the convention complex, hotels, venues and event funding, to name a few.
The 2004 Convention is committed to positively impacting the City through extensive community service. The Committee on Arrangements for the 2004 Republican National Convention and New York City Host Committee 2004 teams have already completed more than 70 service projects amounting to over 700 hours of service on behalf of 16 community organizations throughout the five boroughs of New York City and its surrounding counties. The convention staff has performed community outreach in all five boroughs, having conducted events in Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island.
The Federal Election Commission provides both the Republican and Democrat conventions with nearly $15 million in federal funding. The convention's remaining costs are met by the New York City Host Committee 2004. The New York City Host Committee 2004 is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, established in 2002 to attract a national political convention to New York City. Upon being chosen to host the 2004 Republican National Convention, the Host Committee committed to privately fund the costs associated with hosting the event.
The primary goal of the Host Committee is to provide the COA with the goods and services needed to produce a successful convention while promoting New York City. The convention will bring to New York City significant exposure and an opportunity for the city to realize new and enhanced sources of business, while also showcasing its unmatched diversity and hospitality.
The Committee on Arrangements (COA) is a committee of the Republican National Committee (RNC). The COA's mission is to plan for and manage the 2004 Republican National Convention. The Committee on Arrangements is prohibited from raising funds for the convention, and is, by law, a separate entity from the Host Committee. The Committee on Arrangements is chaired by David Armstrong Norcross, National Committeeman for New Jersey.
Bill Harris, Chief Executive Officer of the Convention, manages the day-to-day operations of the Convention. In this role, Mr. Harris serves as an important liaison with state and local officials, community leaders, and other interested parties.
This year's convention theme and program will showcase the president's leadership and commitment to the American people, the unity and momentum of the Republican Party, and the diversity and strength of our nation.
The Speakers
On Monday, August 30, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg opend the convention and welcomed delegates. That evening, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Senator John McCain (R-AZ) also took the stage at Madison Square Garden to address the party and the nation.
On Tuesday, August 31, First Lady Laura Bush, Secretary of Education Rod Paige and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA) will address the nation in primetime.
On Wednesday, September 1, Mrs. Lynne Cheney, Vice President Dick Cheney and Democratic Senator Zell Miller (D-GA) will headline the 2004 Republican National Convention program.
On Thursday, September 2, the convention's final evening, Governor George Pataki (R-NY) will introduce President George W. Bush, who will accept the Republican Party's nomination to lead our country for another four years.
There will be 2,509 delegates and 2,344 alternate delegates at the convention. The convention has reserved over 18,000 rooms in more than 40 hotels and will provide discounts for delegates at more than 400 different venues, restaurants and retail stores throughout New York City. Visitors are being encouraged to “Come Early, Stay Late” to maximize their Big Apple experience. The New York City Host Committee 2004 and NYC & Company - the Convention and Visitors Bureau - have developed over 20 customized tours for convention visitors.
There will be approximately 15,000 accredited members of the media at the convention. Media work space will be in multiple locations, including an estimated 250,000 square feet in the Farley Post Office Building, directly across Eighth Avenue from Madison Square Garden. An enclosed, climate-controlled pedestrian bridge will be built across Eighth Avenue for media members to move between the two facilities. The bridge also will carry broadcast cable and communications lines from Madison Square Garden to the Farley Post Office Building. Other media work space locations will be in Madison Square Garden and in the Hotel Pennsylvania, directly across Seventh Avenue from Madison Square Garden.
This is the first time in Republican Party history that New York City will host the Republican National Convention. New York has previously hosted Democratic Conventions (1868, 1924, 1976, 1980, 1992), but this is the city's first Republican nominating convention.
Information from the 2004 Republican National Convention official Web site:
www.gopconvention.com
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