Democratic Convention Bringing Opportunities for Local Businesses

In August, more than 35,000 delegates and media representatives will descend on Los Angeles for the 2000 Democratic National Convention, a four-day political pep rally culminating in the nomination of Al Gore as the party’s presidential standard-bearer. Along with a blizzard of balloons and confetti, the convention will generate a flurry of work for local businesses in convention preparation and services for the party’s 56 delegations. Lydia Camarillo, chief executive of the Democratic National Convention Committee, recently spoke about these opportunities.

Question: In what ways can small businesses get involved with the convention?

Answer: We expect the convention to result in a $132-million economic impact [on Los Angeles], and that’s a conservative estimate. This will come from a number of things--from the spending on the hotels we’re going to use, to the places we’re going to eat at, to the places where we’re going to shop. We are looking forward to engaging with as many businesses from Los Angeles as possible to make sure that they benefit from this economic impact.

We will be working closely with various outreach efforts to make sure businesses understand the opportunities that are available. One way businesses can best benefit is by adding their name to the database that will be posted on our Web site, https://www.dems2000.com. This database will be used by our host committee to plan various parties and events. It will also be used by our delegates in case they need anything once they are here.

Q: How can businesses add their names to the database?

A: On our Web site, we will be listing businesses from many different service categories, from party planners to caterers, so that the 56 delegations coming into town can contact the particular businesses they need for their events. We’re also going to be putting together a media party, a kickoff party for the community and a volunteers party. And for all of those we’ll need things like printers for the programs to caterers to places that can provide the decorations.

We will also be listing things such as dentists and dry cleaners so that individual delegates will have some place to turn for their needs as well.

We’re putting on the Web site these different opportunities. The best way you can be involved is to call our direct line at (213) 362-2000 or go onto the Internet site and get one of our business forms. Fill out the form and return it to us, and we will make sure that you are on the Web site and that when we see opportunities we can find a way to connect you, so you can enjoy some of the dollars generated by the convention.

Q: How will the database work?

A: The convention has put together a business development department. We want to be sure the $132 million generated by the convention is shared with the mom-and-pop shops throughout the L.A. area. So we’ve partnered with local congressional leaders and groups such as the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the Latin Business Assn. to reach out to various businesses and let people know that they need to contact us and get their forms in so we can put them in our database.

The first phase of the database will be online by May 15. We are not charging anybody to do this. The majority of the business will come from the 35,000 people coming, whether they need a florist or a dentist or a cleaner. Instead of looking in the Yellow Pages, they’ll look through our database to find a local business. We’re trying to get as many people on that list as possible. Any service you would need if you are putting on an event [or are a delegate] will be there. We are trying to anticipate what the delegates will need once they arrive.

Q: Are there any convention-related contracts still available?

A: We’ve already awarded all the construction contracts, but there are still some available contracts related to putting on the convention inside the Staples Center, such as [for] sound and lighting engineers and printers. We also need architects and vendors for the balloons and confetti and decorations. We’re going to need anything that has to do with putting together the events and the convention itself.

Q: How can businesses apply for these contracts?

A: They can call our direct line and ask for the business development department and send in a form.