The group that will decide the next location of the 2008 Democratic National Convention is back in the Mile High City today, determining the viability of Denver to host an event that could draw hundreds of thousands.
According the Rocky Mountain News, the main competition is Minneapolis-St. Paul. But, as it was reported in the Confidential yesterday, Denver could be facing another hurdle in trying to land the convention gig.From the News article:
“I’m fairly certain from what I hear on the proverbial grapevine that (the other city is) Minneapolis-St. Paul,” she said.
Denver City Councilwoman Elbra Wedgeworth, the Denver committee’s president, also views the second site visit in a positive light.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to have them back in our town,” she said. “I think it shows the strength of our bid, because we’re better than a mile.”
The problem? Last May the Denver Area Labor Federation (DALF) brought up concerns about the city’s lack of unionized hotels to coddle convention goers, pointing out that a unionization effort was taking place at the Hyatt Regency near the Convention Center, and that political leaders should voice their support for the organizing.
The response was not optimistic:
“In terms of them using this as a vehicle to unionize the Hyatt, we don’t feel that’s appropriate,” said Denver City Councilwoman Elbra Wedgeworth, who is also a co-chairwoman of the host committee. “They need to do that on their own.”
