Top Convention Donors Expect Sky Boxes, but Supply Is Low

Ten days before the start of the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles, local organizers are still waiting to secure some of the most coveted perks being sought by major sponsors.

In return for donations of as much as $1 million, the convention’s host committee has promised a variety of rewards that include advertising in convention programs and VIP tickets to cocktail parties. The committee also intends to supply some of its major donors with credentials and convention hall sky boxes--the most sought-after perks of all.

But the local committee is coming up short, largely because organizers do not have control over the most desired perks.

For credentials and sky boxes, the committee must turn to the Democratic National Convention Committee, which doles out the goods to various groups.

Local organizers asked the national convention committee for 15 sky boxes and 30 credentials per box. The local leaders have been told unofficially that they will receive three sky boxes. They are still waiting to hear about a package of credentials for the sky boxes, the convention floor and other parts of Staples Center.

The dearth of top perks has left the host committee with what one observer called a “major problem.” Committee staffers are receiving several phone calls an hour from sponsors, asking whether they are getting sky boxes or credentials.

“Every time the phone rings, we expect it to be about credentials,” said one committee insider.

Those sponsors--corporations and individuals alike--have contributed more than $48 million. Mayor Richard Riordan, developer Eli Broad and billionaire investor Ron Burkle have chipped in $1 million apiece of their own money.

Given their level of contribution, all of these sponsors believe they have earned the right to boxes. Nevertheless, some remain anxious. Even Broad, one of the city’s most powerful and affluent citizens, and one of its most prodigious political contributors, has expressed concerns.

“We would hope that the record level of fund-raising will translate into credentials and suites,” said Noelia Rodriguez, president and chief executive of the L.A. Convention 2000 host committee.

Convention Chairman Terry McAuliffe reacted with surprise when asked about host committee concerns over sky boxes and credentials. McAuliffe said he and Rodriguez will meet Monday to review a variety of issues, including the perks.

“Everyone will be happy at the end of the day,” said McAuliffe.

The squabble highlights the tense and awkward relationship between the nonpartisan host committee and the partisan Democratic National Convention Committee.

Although the host committee raises money for the event, it is the national committee that decides how to spend the funds--and ultimately, how many of the best perks get handed out.

The national committee distributes sky boxes and credentials in chunks to various groups. The recipients include the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the local host committee.

Those groups, in turn, distribute the goods to donors and others.

Some believe that the system of funding and rewards undermines the clout of the host committee and its ability to raise funds.

“If you want to attend the convention and gain access, why would you want to give to the host committee when you can give to the [Democratic National Committee] and get far more access?” said one official familiar with the process. “There’s not much incentive for [national officials] to take care of the host committee donors.”

The limited number of sky boxes in Staples Center also has played a role in the shortage. The facility has 160 sky boxes, several dozen fewer than the United Center in Chicago, the site of the 1996 Democratic National Convention.

The media are expected to occupy about 40 of the sky boxes, further reducing the amount of luxury space left for an army of luminaries--including the president, vice president, congressional leaders, Hollywood celebrities, corporate sponsors and individual donors.

President Clinton and the White House will get three sky boxes.

“It boils down to the question: how many angels can you fit on the head of a pin?” said one knowledgeable Democratic political advisor. “There are so many competing demands for credentials and space. It is a horrendous nightmare trying to work that out and keep everybody happy.”

Convention officials in Chicago avoided some of the furor now erupting in Los Angeles because they decided early on how many sky boxes and credentials would be available to the host committee, an official said.

But not even planning could stop money feuds from erupting in Chicago between local organizers and their national counterparts--feuds that ended in finger-pointing and stony silence.

“The fact of the matter is the two entities always have competing agendas,” said Julie Thompson, who served as communications director for the Chicago convention. Some donors have hedged their bets by contributing not only to the host committee but also to various congressional committees.

“I think in the end, wise people will make the right decisions,” said one sponsor. “They are going to want to keep donors happy. It’s in their self interest to do so.”