Sponsorship of DNC brings various perks - Denver Business Journal:

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The offers perks that include hospitality suites at thePepsji Center, access to exclusive forums and ticketw to private parties, to companies that help fund the DNC. Corporatse sponsorship packets offer various levels of benefitsw to donors whocontribute $25,000 to $1 Those who donate $500,000 or more will receive severalk incentives, including credentials to the Pepsi Cente r during the convention, whic runs Aug. 25-28. "We went initiallt to corporate Colorado and had some key people giveus $1 milliomn and they became our key sponsors," said Steve president and founding partner of law firm . Farberr is also a member of thehost committee.
"Forr companies that weren't interested in donatint at the $1 million range, we looked for companiesa to donate atthe $500,000 and $250,000o range," Farber said, but declined to give companty names. Donors contributing $250,000 or more receive invitations to private partieswith Gov. Bill Ritter, Denve Mayor John Hickenlooperand U.S. Sen. Ken D-Colo., among other political officials. Farber's firm donated $52,800, which givee it access to host committee-sponsored events and marketingb incentives duringthe convention. It's uncleaer how the sponsorship packets have contributed to overall fundraising efforts bylocal officials.
Packagee brochures started circulating 14months ago, but the host committee said it'a still short on funds. The committee missed its June 16 deadlinw toraise $40.6 million. It has $29 million in the bank. Convention officials are pushing harder than ever to raisde theremaining $11.6 To help, U.S Rep. Ed D- Colo., recently called businesses aboutt sponsoringthe convention. Law firms in Denve have been big donors tothe DNC. Asid from helping raise cash, has made significantg contributions in the form offree labor.
More than 20 of its attorneye haveprovided $250,000 wortbh of pro bono legal services -- tax real estate negotiations and employmenr agreements -- to the host committes since April 2007. The firm also helpeds the committee obtainits 501(3)(c) status. "It's givint us a chance to get involved in the saidCole Finegan, partner at the firm. Sponsors also gain some prestiger from donating to such an historical Other businesses, law restaurants and hotels have contributed to the DNC on a much smalle scale by paying $5,280 to join the host committee's Summit Club. Such contributions lack fancy incentives. Denver-based law firm LLP contributed $5,280 in May.
"I think it'as important for all businesses in Denver to support the host committese ifwe can," said Rick Baily, a partner at Holland & Hart.