by Kenny Smith (Hastings) - August 19, 2008
Today was the last day of what I am referring to as the orientation days. Although we are fairly familiar with the structure and demands of the [Washington Center’s] program, although we know our assignments are likely to change abruptly with the beginning of fieldwork, it was truly our last chance to become oriented with the downtown area before fieldwork placements are assigned tomorrow.
Although I am a Colorado native and grew up just fifteen minutes from the heart of downtown, it is always refreshing to reacquaint myself with the rapidly developing city, and even more so to have my knowledge tested by the students in the program from other states. With the convention coming to Denver, much has changed, so that it really is like I am a visitor in my own city..
Some of these changes were discussed by Ricky Kirshner [guest speaker; Executive Producer of the Democratic National Convention] – the man who is responsible for transforming the Pepsi Center, the official site of the convention. His discussion was refreshing in a realm where politics is often the main focus, as it opened my eyes to the sheer amount of work it takes just to enable an establishment to host a convention with its many security, technology, and attendance concerns.
Particularly interesting was his emphasis that he was producing a 24/7 live event, and that although he can tailor the message he wishes to send out, he only controls the media within the convention hall. It is left to the various media organizations to distribute that message, but they control their own coverage, and as he put it, “where the camera points.” In the end, the first day the hall is opened is the first day many people will see the hall, and they won't know anything other than what their eyes register at that moment.
Today was the last day of what I am referring to as the orientation days. Although we are fairly familiar with the structure and demands of the [Washington Center’s] program, although we know our assignments are likely to change abruptly with the beginning of fieldwork, it was truly our last chance to become oriented with the downtown area before fieldwork placements are assigned tomorrow.
Although I am a Colorado native and grew up just fifteen minutes from the heart of downtown, it is always refreshing to reacquaint myself with the rapidly developing city, and even more so to have my knowledge tested by the students in the program from other states. With the convention coming to Denver, much has changed, so that it really is like I am a visitor in my own city..
Some of these changes were discussed by Ricky Kirshner [guest speaker; Executive Producer of the Democratic National Convention] – the man who is responsible for transforming the Pepsi Center, the official site of the convention. His discussion was refreshing in a realm where politics is often the main focus, as it opened my eyes to the sheer amount of work it takes just to enable an establishment to host a convention with its many security, technology, and attendance concerns.
Particularly interesting was his emphasis that he was producing a 24/7 live event, and that although he can tailor the message he wishes to send out, he only controls the media within the convention hall. It is left to the various media organizations to distribute that message, but they control their own coverage, and as he put it, “where the camera points.” In the end, the first day the hall is opened is the first day many people will see the hall, and they won't know anything other than what their eyes register at that moment.
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