November 18, 2002

For the first time in its history, Boston will host the 2004 National Democratic Convention. The Democratic National Committee, in selecting Boston, November 13, responded to five years of an intensive lobbying effort after Boston failed in its bid to host the 2000 event. Conference President Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino for years relentlessly pursued a strategy to lure the major event to the hub city. The Boston Globe, in a front page story, gave him credit as the major player in the effort, along with other state Democratic party officials, elected and non-elected.

Other candidates to host the convention in the running were Miami, Detroit, and New York. New York and Tampa are the finalists to host the 2004 Republican Convention.

Joining Mayor Menino in the drive to garner the convention was Senior Massachusetts Senator Edward M. Kennedy. The pair were credited with a "Herculean effort" as The New York Times put it, in prodding businesses to chip in $20 million in advance of the convention selection.

The gathering will be held for nearly a week in late July or early August, 2004. It is expected to draw 35,000 people, and have an estimated economic impact to the city of $150 million.