2012 Democratic National Convention
What is the DNC?
The 2012 Democratic National Convention (DNC) will be held August 31-September 6, 2012 (which includes Labor Day Weekend) and will attract an estimated 30,000 to 35,000 delegates, national and international media and key policy and political leaders.
Need More DNC News? Resource Links:
- 2012 Democratic National Convention Planning Committee
- FaceBook Page - Charlotte in 2012- Democratic National Convention
- Twitter Following - Tweets
- Visit Lake Norman Featured Articles on VLN's Media Page
- Visit Lake Norman's 2012 DNC Summary (Updated 10/28/2011)
- More Local Media Resources: Business Today, Cornelius Today, The Huntersville Herald, The Lake Norman Citizen, DavidsonNews.Net, and CorneliusNews.Net, Mecklenburg Times, and the Charlotte Observer
For DNC Event Planners:
Lake Norman is the perfect destination for your event during the DNC. Visit Lake Norman would like to help you plan your group event. Visit our DNC Event Planner Resources Page to connect with our DNC Community Resources and Vendor Directory List. Let Visit Lake Norman (VLN) help you match your event needs with local business and services. Our goal is to make your event run as smoothly as possible. We want your guests to have a great experience and to visit Lake Norman again and again.
Carolina Raptor Center (Huntersville) has been selected as a DNC Delegate Welcome & Host Venue. If you are planning an event at the Carolina Raptor Center, download the Carolina Raptor Center Event Planner Guide and the Carolina Raptor Center DNC Venue Guide.
Upcoming DNC Events & Opportunities for Local Businesses:
- See VLN's Updates for the latest information on the DNC.
- Visit Lake Norman Press Release - Vendors Needed (Issued 10/5/2011)
What to Expect...Experiences from Past Democratic National Conventions:
- Lots of media crews beginning months in advance will be filming and writing about area attractions, Lake Norman, and doing feature interviews.
- Expect normal "holiday weekend" traffic delays throughout the event and around Lake Norman region.
- Like every convention, some businesses/vendors do very well and some just do average business. Business volume depends on your location and what you are offering in terms of specials, discounts, coupons, etc. for this convention.
- Numerous events associated with the Convention will be open to the public. There will also be hundreds of DNC private parties and functions staged throughout the region that will be closed to the general public.
- Most event venues, restaurant group/events spaces will be booked and busy with events. Contact Visit Lake Norman at 704-987-3300 for availability in the Lake Norman area.
- Hotel rooms may be available in the Lake Norman region, however Uptown hotels will be sold out.
- Uptown will be accessible and business will be open. Uptown workers should not have difficulties getting to or leaving work, particularly since the main hours of Convention activity (4 p.m. to 9 p.m.) and do not correspond with standard morning or evening commute times.
- Security - While there will be some additional screening procedures and security measures in some locations. When people talk about a "security perimeter," what they are really talking about are areas around the Convention Center that may require additional screening or security measures.
- Some peaceful demonstrations are anticipated in the uptown area during the week of the Convention.
Why is this event important to the Lake Norman Region?
The Democratic National Convention is estimated to have an economic impact of $150 million - $200 million in direct and indirect spending.Much of that economic activity will be spent on security, transportation, changes to the Convention Center, hotels and private receptions, dinners and functions. However, visitor spending will begin well before, during and continue after the event. An estimated $40 million - $45 million investment will go to the Charlotte region to helpsupport libraries, schools, parks, public safety and other services crucial to quality of life
Volunteer Opportunities:
Work is already under way to recruit the army of volunteers needed to put on an event this size. The DNCC expects to recruit about 10,000 volunteers.Go to the volunteer opportunity website to receive information via email.
Vendor & Business Opportunities:
Visit Lake Norman is working to promote businesses and attractions in the Lake Norman region* in the towns of Cornelius, Davidson and Huntersville. Go to Visit Lake Norman's business registration page. Local business located in the towns of Cornelius, Davidson, and Huntersville will be added to the Visit Lake Norman's DNC Community Resources & Local Vendors page.
*Business located outside of Cornelius, Davidson and Huntersville should register through the DNCC business opportunity page, go to the Get Involved to receive information via email. For either business registration, you will be contacted for further information.
DNC Contracted Hotels in Lake Norman Area (Cornelius, Davidson, and Huntersville):
- VLN has worked with the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) to secure 12 hotels in Cornelius, Huntersville, and Davidson for a total of 11,981 room nights committed. Scroll down to view the contracted hotels.
- State Delegation representatives are currently touring the contracted DNC hotels and surrounding areas. Delegation placement begins in January 2012.
- NOTE: The DNCC has already contracted the listed hotels below, and the DNCC will assign all state delegations, a majority of the media and Democratic family. This is a work in progress and they will be assigning groups throughout the coming months.
Featured Hotels, Restaurants, Attractions, and Things To Do Events Specifically for DNC:
Below are featured listings specifically during the DNC event. Search by Hotels/ Accommodations, Things To Do, Restaurants, and more. Check out Visit Lake Norman's Trip Builder and look for the DNC Theme Icon to plan your visit!
Search Listings
- 19608 Liverpool Parkway, PO Box 1309
- Cornelius, NC 28031
- (704) 896-0660
DNC Contracted Hotel located in Cornelius, NC. Enjoy a level of service, amenities ...more
- 19521 Liverpool Parkway
- Cornelius, NC 28031
- (704) 896-7622
DNC Contracted Hotel located in Cornelius, NC is ideally located off Interstate 77ly ...more
- 16617 Statesville Road
- Huntersville, NC 28078
- (704) 895-6565
DNC Contracted Hotel located in Huntersville, NC. You’ll be impressed by the true ...more
- 16700 Northcross Drive
- Huntersville, NC 28078
- (704) 949-4900
DNC Contracted Hotel located in the heart of Lake Norman and Huntersville, the hotel ...more
- 19901 Holiday Lane
- Cornelius, NC 28031
- (704) 892-9120
DNC Contracted Hotel, the Days Inn Lake Norman is located 22 miles from Charlotte ...more
- 19501 Statesville Road
- Cornelius, NC 28031
- (704) 892-9900
DNC Contracted Hotel, our promise to you includes a clean comfortable hotel room. In ...more
- 16805 Caldwell Creek Drive
- Huntersville, NC 28078
- (704) 892-9487
DNC Contracted Hotel located in Huntersville /Birkdale area offering all studio ...more
- 125 Harbour Place Drive
- Davidson, NC 28036
- (704) 987-1818
DNC Contracted Hotel, the Homewood Suites by Hilton® Davidson hotel in North Carolina ...more
- 16825 Caldwell Creek Drive
- Huntersville, NC 28078
- (704) 892-6597
DNC Contracted Hotel conveniently located at I-77, Exit 25 the Quality Inn ...more
- 14135 Statesville Road
- Huntersville, NC 28078
- (704) 875-1165
DNC Contracted Hotel conveniently located to all major intersections and directly off ...more
- 16830 Kenton Drive
- Huntersville, NC 28078
- (704) 584-0000
DNC Contracted Hotel with spacious suites with full kitchen and separate areas for ...more
- 16508 Northcross Drive
- Huntersville, NC 28078
- (704) 766-2500
DNC Contracted Hotel in Huntersville, NC. The Sleep Inn & Suites® Lake Norman is ...more
**Makes sure to use the "Next" button above to view more listings**
Visit Lake Norman VIP Discount Card
Looking to bring your group or special event to the Lake Norman area? Whether it is for a sporting event, wedding, family reunion or corporate meeting, just book a room in one of our beautiful brand-name hotels located in either Cornelius, Davidson, or Huntersville, and upon check-in receive a "Visit Lake Norman VIP Discount Card" for each member in your group. The VIP Discount Card offers attractive discounts to these area restaurants and attractions:
- Arnies Tavern - Huntersville
- Birkdale Golf Club - Huntersville
- Bruster's Ice Cream - Cornelius
- Davidson Chocolate Company - Davidson
- Donato's Pizza - Huntersville & Davidson
- Galaway Hooker - Cornelius
- Hardees - Huntersville
- Jason's Deli - Huntersville
- Lake Norman Comedy Zone - Cornelius
- Northcross Lanes - Huntersville
- Our Town Cinemas - Davidson
To Obtain Your Visit Lake Norman VIP Discount Card:
Book your stay at your choice of the hotels located in either Cornelius, Davidson, or Huntersville. Contact Travis Dancy with Visit Lake Norman at (704) 987-3300 with your team or organizations information.
Enjoy your visitor discounts!
