No replies to this topic

[Cotuit]

Cape should cash in on Dem's Boston convention
Wants region to lure delegates, journalists
By Evan J. Albright

The Democratic National Convention is coming to Boston this summer, and the Cape's Democratic Congressman is afraid his district may not be getting its fair share of the business generated outside the convention.

Rep. Bill Delahunt spoke before the monthly meeting of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, which convened last Friday at the Cape Cod Irish Village Restaurant in West Yarmouth. The Congressman made his remarks under a banner that read "Céad Mile Fáilte," Celtic for "One Hundred Thousand Welcomes," but he was apprehensive that Cape Cod would miss the opportunity to welcome even a single delegate or journalist.

"I'm concerned about the lack of information that's available," Delahunt said. "The opportunity is not just trenchant, but permanent for Quincy and the Cape."

Delahunt brought Gail Jackson, the executive director of political affairs for the Democratic National Convention, to the Cape meeting. The convention will be held in Boston July 26-29, and according to Jackson will draw between 35,000 to 50,000 people over two to three weeks.

The Democratic National Convention represents a tremendous opportunity for the South Shore, Cape Cod and the Islands, Delahunt said. In addition to the delegates and other convention attendees, there will be some 15,000 journalists, of which 4,000 will be from outside the United States. "What an opportunity to showcase the Cape and Islands to an international audience," he said.

Delahunt wants the Cape and Islands to coordinate with Quincy and the South Shore and generate a plan to attract delegates, press and other convention attendees to attractions south of Boston. The Congressman asked Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce President Wendy Northcross to serve as point person for the Cape. Northcross agreed to work with Delahunt's office to set up a steering committee to work on how Cape Cod will interact with the Democratic National Convention. Northcross said the chamber did not know if anyone on Cape Cod was planning an event for either delegates or the press.

If anyone has such an event or if they wish to promote any event during late July and early August to conventiongoers, they should contact the Chamber immediately, she said.

Conventioneers will receive information about Cape Cod, Northcross said, including a calendar of Cape Cod summer activities before, during and after the convention. The chamber has been working with the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism and the regional tourism council to produce a media kit for the press attending the convention, she said. The Cape chamber will also have a table in the pressroom at the convention.

Jackson explained that her organization is part of the Democratic National Committee and responsible for all events that occur within the Fleet Center. Anything outside is the responsibility of Boston 2004 Committee, headed by Boston Mayor Thomas Menino.

Delahunt couched his words carefully, not wishing to appear critical of a fellow Democrat such as Menino, but his meaning was clear. He wanted to make sure that his district, from Quincy to the Islands, would not be overlooked by a committee that had a vested interest in keeping the delegates and journalists close to Boston.

Northcross pointed out another opportunity for business from the convention: Bostonians. The impact of the convention on the city will be tremendous, and residents of the city and environs may be looking for some other place to be.

"Now is the time to break open the doors," Northcross said. "What can the rest of us do?"

Anyone interested in serving on the Cape Cod steering committee, hosting an event for conventioneers or promoting a event that is already scheduled should contact the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce at 508-771-7416 or 877-332-2732.

From The Barnstable Patriot