Countdown to Convention: Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison, Democratic Leaders, and Convention Partners Visit Convention Headquarters

CHICAGO – Last Friday, the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) welcomed Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison, Democratic leaders, and local partners to DNCC Headquarters in Chicago for a “Countdown to Convention” event. Chair Harrison spoke to the group to help build energy in the final stretch before the 2024 Democratic National Convention. Visitors also received a tour of the office.

Attendees included representatives from Choose Chicago, the city’s official tourism bureau, and Show Strategy, the first Black-owned prime contractor for the Democratic National Convention.

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Screenshot from WGN's clip of Chair Jaime Harrison speaking to crowd

WGN: Chicago vendors, contractors gear up for Democratic National Convention in August

August 19 will be here before we know it, and the Democratic National Convention is preparing to bring together workers and vendors as the world counts down to the convention.

“This will be the best democratic convention in the history of democratic conventions,” said DNC Chair Jaime Harrison to a crowd of supporters in West Loop Friday.

“The president hasn’t said a word to me yet about like, ‘Y’all doing okay in Chicago?’” Harrison said. “And that’s a good thing because he trusts the people that we have who are pulling all of this together.”

From the planning committee and party officials, to the vendors responsible for so much of the work, small Chicago businesses said they are ready for the national stage.

“I am one of the official caterers,” said Andrea Dillon, owner of Bon Manger Catering and Events. “I wake up sometimes and pinch myself, like hey, I’m glad I’m part of it.”

Glenn Charles Jr’s company, Show Strategy, is responsible for constructing the media compound and finishing out the media suites.

“I’m the first Black prime contractor to build the DNC,” Charles Jr said. “This is legendary for me, for my team, for my business, for my family, for my city … I have 20-30 meetings a day — A lot of planning, lot of preparation. But it’s all necessary, it’s one of, if not the, largest conventions in the world.”

With the convention set to draw attention and visitors from around the globe, Choose Chicago chairman Glenn Eden is working to plan experiences for the more than 15,000 media members expected to cover the convention.

“There’s a very negative narrative about Chicago when it comes to national press and international press,” Eden said. “And we want to show them the reality is, is that’s just noise.”