The process for becoming a delegate to the convention varies from state to state. Thus, to receive the most accurate information about the delegate selection process in your state, you should contact your local Republican Party. Contact information for each state's Republican Party can be found at http://www.gop.com/Connect/States.aspx.

The Committee on Arrangements only utilizes housing for attendees in official 2008 Republican National Convention Hotels and does not facilitate the rental of private homes during convention week. Residents interested in making their homes available for rent should consider a listing on an internet site or in a local newspaper.

While tickets are not made available for purchase and quantities are limited, there are several different ways in which one can attend the convention proceedings. To attend the convention in an official capacity, supporters of voting age should explore the process of becoming a delegate or alternate delegate from their state of residence. It's also possible to attend the 2008 Republican National Convention as an official volunteer. Convention planners hope to recruit more than 8,000 volunteers, who will perform key duties in the areas of transportation, information services, hospitality, and special events during the week of the convention. Finally, if it is impossible to participate in person, the convention can always be accessed online via www.GOPconvention2008.com. The convention website promises to be the next best thing to a seat inside the Xcel Energy Center.

With a projected $150-$160 million economic boost, there will be many opportunities for businesses to benefit from the 2008 Republican National Convention. Vendors in the hospitality industry should email the Host Committee at hospitality@msp2008.com. Vendors interested in selling merchandise during the convention should email the Host Committee at vendor@msp2008.com. Other service providers should email the Host Committee at services@msp2008.com. In addition, please feel free to contact Liz Connors at lizc@meetminneapolis.com or Tricia Mattes at tmattes@visitsaintpaul.com or your local Chamber of Commerce to become part of an online vendor directory that will be seen by the thousands of delegates, media and visitors that will be coming to Minneapolis-Saint Paul.

Detailed planning for a major event like this is obviously very important - and I want to assure you that we will have comprehensive transportation and security plans in place. We are in the process of hiring a professional transportation management company that will be charged with helping us keep things moving smoothly on area roadways. Most convention guests will be transported to and from official events using mass transit, mainly in the form of buses, which will minimize the number of vehicles using the roadways during the event.

With the help of volunteers, the 2008 Republican National Convention will be a truly remarkable event. The convention and the 2008 Minneapolis-Saint Paul Host Committee will recruit more than 8,000 volunteers, who will play crucial roles in the areas of transportation, information services, hospitality, and special events during the week of the convention. If you are interested, please visit this site or email volunteer@msp2008.com. It's important to note for those interested in coming from outside the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area, however, that lodging, transportation and other expenses will be the responsibility of the volunteer.

The purpose of every nominating convention, both Republican and Democratic, is to officially nominate the party's candidate for president and to adopt the party's platform and rules. The Rules also establish the formula for determining how many delegates and alternates are allocated to each state. They also set the window as to when these delegates and alternates can be elected. Other than these overriding requirements, how and when delegates are selected is left to each state party to decide and that process is reflected in the rules established by each state party - typically in conjunction with state law.

Convention planning is well underway here in Minneapolis-Saint Paul and we are on track to host our party’s most successful nominating convention to date in September. The convention program and convention week events, however, are still being developed and won’t be finalized or announced until the summer.

We have placed credential information for the media online and specific information for members of the media and bloggers can be found here. As we make plans for media accommodations, we would love to hear from you. Let us know your thoughts, along with any blogger requests that you believe should be given special consideration.

We won't know the details of the balloon drop for several more months, but stay tuned to www.GOPconvention2008.com for the latest convention announcements. In 2004, 100,000 biodegradable balloons were inflated by 200 young people in only six hours. The balloons were dropped from 50 nets hung 75 feet above the floor of Madison Square Garden.