Influence Magazine: A Special Report for Advocacy Clients
Rallying Cry in Boston, NYC: Party Hearty
The conventions are about schmoozing. Get your tickets now
July 2004
Every four years, the citizens gather to cast their votes for a president. And every four years the two major political parties hold nominating conventions that have morphed into giant social events—an opportunity for K Street, corporate America, and political and elected leaders to drink, dance, and entertain.
For law firms and lobby shops, corporations, and trade associations, it’s a chance to bond and brand. Some firms and groups are flying their flags at both the Democratic convention (Boston, July 26-29) and the Republican convention (New York, Aug. 30-Sept. 2).
Patton Boggs is hosting events at both conventions. The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, well-known for its killer parties, will break out the good stuff for Republicans and Democrats alike. In New York, the distillers have locked up the New York Yacht Club for three days. Cigar smokers will be able to enjoy their stogies underneath the club’s covered terrace, one of the few places smoking is permitted in New York City clubs. And in Boston, the distillers will cohost a bash with the New Republic, Economist, and Roll Call at the Anthem nightclub near the Fleet Center.
“If you participate in public policy, the conventions are the pre-eminent social events of the season,” explains Patton Boggs managing partner Stuart Pape. Still, he warns, now is the time to start lining up invitations. As Pape says, the firm’s parties are “by invitation only.”
Republicans are apparently not content simply to run the incumbent president for a second term. The GOP faithful say they intend to throw the best parties during the 2004 nominating conventions.
“Republicans have much more fun than the Democrats,” boasts lobbyist Glenn LeMunyon, a former aide to House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas). And LeMunyon, who runs his own shop, the LeMunyon Group, is ready to back up his claims. He’s teaming with lobbyist colleagues Bill Shute, an advocate for the University of Texas, and Loren Monroe of Barbour Griffith & Rogers, to organize four evenings of parties at the GOP convention in New York City.
The corporate sponsors, whom LeMunyon declined to name, are shelling out between $15,000 and $50,000 for bands, free drinks, food, and cool venues. On Aug. 30 and Sept. 1, LeMunyon and his crew will host parties from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Lighthouse room at the Chelsea Piers. Country rock band Reckless Kelly performs on the 30th. Texas party band Rotel and the Hot Tomatoes performs Wednesday. On Aug. 31, the party is at the B.B. King Theatre with the Fabulous Thunderbirds performing. An event planned for Sept. 2, also at the B.B. King Theatre, will feature a top as-yet-unnamed act, LeMunyon says. Rest assured, he says, “We’re going big.”
All four evenings will honor members of the Texas congressional delegation. Top sponsors will be offered an introduction and photo shoot with any members in attendance.
And if that doesn’t sound good, Washington politicos—of both parties—are touting numerous other event packages to corporate clients, some of which include sponsorship of an event, hotel rooms, and the use of corporate suites. A sampling of some of the hottest parties in New York includes:
• The quadrennial late night “Best Little Warehouse" party organized by Washington Council Ernst & Young lobbyist Bruce Gates and the Duberstein Group’s Henry Gandy. Gates calls it the “standard up to which all other events fail to measure—but try to emulate.” The party will honor all congressional Republicans and will be held nightly from Aug. 30 to Sept. 2 at Tunnel, an event space in Chelsea.
• An Aug. 30 event at the Metropolitan Museum of Art sponsored by DaimlerChrysler, honoring the House and Senate Republican leadership.
• A day of golfing in Bethpage on Long Island sponsored by the National Republican Senatorial Committee on Sept. 1, as well as a day on the greens at the Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y., on Aug. 31, hosted by Sen. Don Nickles (R-Okla.).
• A party aboard the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid honoring House Armed Services Committee Chairman Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) and House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee Chairman Jerry Lewis (R-Calif.).
• The Republican National Committee welcome party at Ellis Island on Aug. 29, featuring an appearance by recently elected California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and New York Gov. George Pataki.
Democrats, of course, always have one big advantage when it comes to Party partying: They have Hollywood on their side. Nothing on this year’s party circuit seems quite as controversial as the 2000 fete at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles. But the Creative Coalition—a group of Tinseltown and Big Apple celebs—is gearing up for a July 28 bash in Boston at the swanky Newbury Street clothing shop Louis Boston. Robin Bronk, the group’s executive director, said the group expects to usher 25 celebrities around the convention, as well as to the party. Celebrities slated to attend include Susan Sarandon and Alec and William Baldwin, along with Miramax Films founder Harvey Weinstein, “Matrix” villain Joe Pantoliano, Sean Astin of “Lord of the Rings,” Richard Schiff of “West Wing,” and Hector Elizondo of the new CBS series “Century City.”
To be sure, Boston’s going to have its share of hot tickets. Among the parties planned in Beantown:
• An evening at Saint, a glitzy Boston nightclub, on July 28, sponsored by Patton Boggs. MassMutual Financial Group will co-host the event, which will honor the all-Democratic Massachusetts congressional delegation, and—if all goes according to plan—will feature an appearance by the Democratic presidential candidate, Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry.
• A Democratic Governors Association bash at the Boston Harbor Hotel on July 26, featuring views of tall ships in Boston Harbor and a fireworks display organized by Boston event planning firm, Conventures.
• The official Massachusetts congressional delegation party at the John Joseph Moakley courthouse on Boston Harbor preceding the DGA event.
• A friends-of-the-Kennedys Boston Pops concert on Tuesday, July 27, hosted by Massachusetts Democrat Sen. Edward Kennedy.
• State delegation parties to be held at hot spots around town: the Wang Center, Boston’s largest theater venue; the Sam Adams Brewery; and the U.S.S. Constitution Museum. Other state delegations will gather at historic Boston sites such as the L Street Bathhouse in South Boston and the James Michael Curley House in Jamaica Plain.
