From The Desk of Convention CEO William D. Harris
Dear Friend,
As we emerge from the holidays into a new year, our staff has accelerated convention planning and preparations.
We are rearranging office space for new team members who will soon join us to help make the 2012 Republican National Convention a dynamic and successful event.
We also look forward to what the coming months will bring, including our Spring Media Walk-Through and more fully developed plans for building out the Tampa Convention Center and the newly renamed Tampa Bay Times Forum.
As always, I appreciate your interest in our efforts and look forward to your continued feedback and involvement in the convention.
Sincerely,
William D. Harris
Chief Executive Officer
2012 Republican National Convention
The Committee on Arrangements: Nevada, Maine, Missouri, Colorado, Minnesota, Arizona and Michigan
The month of February continues our 2012 nominating process. After the exciting finish in Iowa, and the first delegates awarded in New Hampshire and South Carolina, four more states will weigh in to determine the Republican nominee to be the next President of the United States.
Here is a look at the members of the Committee on Arrangements representing these states with nominating events in February:
 |
National Committeewoman Heidi Smith (Nevada)
A member and former chairman of the Washoe County Republican Party, Heidi Smith served as president of the National Federation of Republican Women from 2002 to 2003. A former resident of Oregon, Smith once served as a member of the Oregon Republican Party Executive Committee and president of the Oregon Federation of Republican Women. She serves on the News/Media subcommittee of the COA. |
 |
Chairman Charlie Webster (Maine)
Charlie Webster is credited with the success of the Maine Republican Party during the 2012 elections, which captured the state legislature and the governor’s office, the first time both have been in Republican control since 1966. A part-time state party chairman, Webster runs Webster Heating Co. in Farmington and relied on his small business acumen when he coined the new Maine Republican Party motto: “Working people vote Republican.” Webster serves on the Transportation subcommittee of the COA. |
 |
Chairman David Cole (Missouri)
Elected as the Chairman of the Republican Party of Missouri in 2009, general practice attorney David Cole has over 20 years of experience volunteering and working for Republicans in his home state. Cole attended undergraduate school at Missouri Southern State University and received his law degree from the University of Missouri in Columbia. He serves on the Facilities subcommittee of the COA. |
 |
National Committeeman Mark Hillman (Colorado)
Mark Hillman is a farmer, “recovering journalist” and former majority leader of the Colorado Senate. He served as Colorado’s acting state treasurer from June 2005 to March 2006. Previously, he was elected to two terms in the Colorado State Senate, representing the state’s largest legislative district covering 12 counties and more than 21,000 square miles. Hillman was elected to leadership posts during five of his seven years in the Senate, including both majority leader and minority leader. He is a frequent commentator on two Colorado talk-radio stations and grows hard red winter wheat on his family’s farm in Burlington. Hillman serves on the COA’s Delegate Experience subcommittee. |
 |
Chairman Pat Shortridge (Minnesota)
Recently elected Chairman of the Republican Party of Minnesota, Pat Shortridge is a longtime Republican from Winona and has worked across the country to elect many Republicans to Congress. Shortridge previously served as executive director of FreedomWorks New Majority Project and as a senior strategist for the 2010 campaign of Senator Marco Rubio of Florida. He now serves as president of PCS Consulting. |
 |
National Committeewoman Sharon Giese (Arizona)
Elected national committeewoman in 2004, Sharon Giese is a past president of the Arizona Federation of Republican Women; she currently serves as vice president of both the Arizona State Association of Parliamentarians and the Arizona Professional and Registered Parliamentarians. Giese previously served as chairman of the Arizona State Board of Dispensing Opticians from 2001 to 2003 and on the Arizona State University Hearing Board in 1987. She serves on the Tickets/Badges subcommittee for the COA. |
 |
National Committeeman Saul Anuzis (Michigan)
Saul Anuzis has been a leader in advancing the Republican Party on the technological front since first being named chairman of the RNC Technology Committee in 2001. In 2009, Anuzis led the first ever Tech Summit where more than 7,000 activists from around the country participated online, via live video feed or in person. A former state party chairman from 2005-2009, Anuzis was elected national committeeman in 2010. He is a scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts of America and managing partner of Lansing-based Coast to Coast Strategies, LLC. Anuzis sits on the Technology subcommittee of the COA. |
In the Community: New Year Brings Fresh Opportunities for Convention Staff to Give Back
Following their pre-Thanksgiving visit, nine convention staff spent the afternoon of January 18 volunteering at Metropolitan Ministries in Tampa.
The group spent several hours preparing and serving food at the Ministries’ outreach and prevention center.
Metropolitan Ministries helps poor and homeless families during their time of need, providing food, clothing, shelter and other vital services.
Katie Sullivan, from Wilmington, N.C., was one of the convention staff members who volunteered for the project and said, “It’s great to have a resolution in the new year to volunteer in the community. As a group, we are trying to give back to Tampa, which is our new home. That is our goal for all of 2012.”
Metropolitan Ministries has been making a difference in and around the Tampa Bay area since 1972. The convention staff plans to return during the coming months to assist with other volunteer activities.
Performing Pachyderms Pick Presidential Personality
The Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey circus set up shop in Tampa early this month to prepare for the “Greatest Show on Earth.” But, before their performance opened to the public inside the Tampa Bay Times Forum, four pretty pachyderm “pundits” provided some political insight. Before their performance opened to the public inside the Tampa Bay Times Forum, four pretty pachyderm “pundits” provided some political insight.
As elephants might be considered experts on the subject of Republican politics, handlers asked them to choose who they would select as the Party’s presidential nominee. It was a surprise when the four lovely ladies raised their trunks to none other than NFL quarterback Tim Tebow – making us wonder whether or not he will be a dark horse candidate!
The act was all in good fun and was narrated by Andre McClain, known in the circus as “America’s Favorite Cowboy” and in real life as a talented horseman.
The elephants made their selections from cut-out pictures of current Republican candidates erected in bales of hay.
Press Assistant Caroline Gonzmart, from Tampa, had a chance to get an up-close photo with the beautiful animals. “What an incredible experience,” said Gonzmart. “But I am sure – for a number of reasons – that will be the first and last time I find myself so close to an elephant.”
Ahoy, Mateys! It Be Time for Gasparilla, Arg!
Tampa continues tradition, prepares for annual pirate siege
Founded on the lore of a legendary Spanish naval officer-turned-pirate, José Gaspar, Tampa’s Gasparilla Pirate Fest is a time-honored tradition that involves ‘pirates’ sailing into Tampa Bay, laying siege on Tampa and ‘taking’ the city.
The event, which culminates in a huge parade, features the only fully rigged pirate ship built in modern times, the José Gasparilla, which was commissioned in 1954.
The event’s roots hail back to the early 1900s, when 40 Tampans formed ‘Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla’ to plan a secret ‘raid’ on the city for a May festival. The mock invasion was so successful that area residents demanded the return of the Krewe each year. In addition to the founding group, other krewes have formed over the years and help continue what has become a time-honored Tampa tradition.
In 2002, the event was moved to the last Saturday in January to invite participation from all Tampa Bay area communities. Convention staffers will be among the thousands of revelers taking part in the day-long, pirate-themed parade, parties and overall excitement.
We hope you can join us in Tampa to continue this fun, historic tradition!
Planning Ahead: A Closer Look at Tampa Bay Area Locations
It never hurts to plan ahead for your visit to the Tampa Bay area for the 2012 Republican National Convention. Here is a closer look at two area attractions, to help you with your planning.
The Lowry Park Zoo
1101 West Sligh Avenue | Tampa, FL 33604
www.lowryparkzoo.com | (813) 935-8552
Located ten minutes from downtown Tampa, Lowry Park Zoo was voted #1 in America by Child Magazine and has more than 350 species of 1,700 diverse animals across 60 lush acres.
Private events hosted at the zoo support wildlife conservation programs in Florida, Africa, Asia and Australia. The zoo is home to the Florida Environmental Education Center, which operates “Zoo School”-the first accredited program of its kind -with hands-on learning areas, 13 classrooms and an exhibit/lecture hall.
The Glazer Children’s Museum
110 West Gasparilla Plaza | Tampa, FL 33602
www.glazermuseum.org | (813) 443-3861
Located in the heart of downtown Tampa, the Glazer Children’s Museum is a whimsical and creative facility that is fun for all ages. With over 53,000 square feet of space and 170 “interactivities” in 12 themed areas, there is so much to explore, discover and do!
The Glazer’s third floor features a “blank canvas” for events, featuring a 5,000-square-foot ballroom and outdoor terrace with majestic views of the Tampa skyline, the University of Tampa and the Hillsborough River.
Convention Staff Spotlight Shines On…Maggie Boyd
Position: Deputy Director of Delegate Services
Age: 29
St. Louis, MO
Q: What got you interested in politics?
A: I grew up in a very politically opinionated family, so it was a natural fit.
Q: What is your most memorable moment in politics?
A: Seeing George W. Bush’s first inauguration from a perch next to the U.S. Botanical Gardens. Those types of experiences were the reason I went to Washington, D.C. for college in the first place.
Q: What is the best part about living in the Tampa Bay area?
A: It’s 75 degrees in January.
Q: Where did you move here from?
A: Washington, D.C.
Q: Blackberry, Android or iPhone?
A: Blackberry.
Q: Tampa Bay area resident Hulk Hogan or Tampa Bay area resident John Cena?
A: I’m more of a baseball fan. Doesn’t Stephen King have a house in the area?
Q: What’s something interesting others may not know about you?
A: I was a rower in high school and college and both teams brought me to Tampa for winter training out of University of Tampa.
Republican National Convention Rewind
We take a look back at some previous conventions and the cities that hosted them.
 2012: Tampa BayTampa Bay Times Forum 670,000 total square feet |
 2008: Minneapolis / St. PaulExcel Center 902,012 total square feet |
 2004: New York CityMadison Square Garden 950,000 total square feet |
 2000: PhiladelphiaFirst Union Center 900,000 total square feet |
 1996: San DiegoSan Diego Convention Center 952,000 total square feet |
 1992: HoustonHouston Astrodome 891,000 total square feet |
 1988: New OrleansLouisiana Superdome 1,000,000 total square feet |
 1984: DallasDallas Convention Center 600,000 total square feet |
On The Calendar
February 4: Nevada and Maine (non-binding) caucuses
February 7: Missouri (non-binding) primary; Colorado (non-binding) and Minnesota (non-binding) caucuses
February 28: Arizona and Michigan primaries
March 3: Washington (non-binding) caucus
March 6: Georgia, Massachusetts, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia primaries; Alaska, Idaho, North Dakota (non-binding), Wyoming (non-binding) caucuses
March 10: Kansas and U.S. Virgin Islands (non-binding) caucuses
March 13: Alabama and Mississippi primaries; Hawaii and American Samoa (tentative) caucuses
March 17: Missouri caucus
March 18: Puerto Rico primary
March 20: Illinois primary (non-binding)
March 24: Louisiana primary
March 27: Guam and Northern Mariana Islands caucuses (both are non-binding and tentative)
“Like” Us On Facebook
Check our official Facebook page, 2012 Republican National Convention, for the latest news on convention planning, as well as photos, videos and fun facts. Join the convention conversation by leaving a comment!
