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Saint Paul to host Republicans and other major meetings
Saint Paul, Minnesota, will be in the national and international spotlight this year as the city hosts four major events highlighted by the Republican National Convention.
The other three are the US Figure Skating Championships, the Family Motor Coach Association and the National Pheasants Forever meeting.
“These events will draw tens of thousands of visitors as well as members of the national and international media community, many of whom will experience Saint Paul for the very first time,” says the CVB.
The most media-covered event will almost certainly be the 2008 Republican National Convention at Saint Paul’s Xcel Energy Center from September 1-4.
Approximately 45,000 visitors, including 15,000 members of the media and 2,000 delegates, plus alternate delegates, volunteers and other guests are expected to attend the convention, making it one of the largest groups the Twin Cities area has ever hosted.
Convention visitors will fill 20,000 hotel rooms at nearly 100 properties throughout the metropolitan area and special events are being planned at over 70 venues.
“Minneapolis-Saint Paul was chosen for its outstanding hotels and event venues and a clear enthusiasm to host the convention,” according to the CVB.
Another 15,000 people are expected for The 2008 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, figure skating’s most prestigious event. It will also be held the Xcel Energy Center.
The National Pheasants Forever Conference is expected to draw 25,000 visitors to the Saint Paul RiverCentre. The national consumer show features hundreds of unique exhibitors displaying hunting gear, wildlife art, taxidermy, habitat equipment, food, dog breed information, tractors, travel information and more.
The fourth major event, the Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) will turn the State Fairgrounds into RV Central as more than 12,000 visitors pull into Saint Paul to attend this unconventional convention at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds next July.
Report by David Wilkening
David
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