16.5.20 gongwer news service - rnc preps

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Volume #85, Report #98 -- Friday, May 20, 2016
RNC Prep At Full Speed For Communication, Utility Companies
With 58 days until the Republican National Convention kicks off in Cleveland, businesses are
finalizing their preparations to accommodate the deluge of the more than 50,000 attendees
expected.
From the electric grid to communications networks, several systems have received major upgrades
in advance of the July 18-21 event at which Republicans will formally christen their presidential
nominee.
At the same time, United and American airlines are adding seats and flights to accommodate the
visitors, according to media reports.
And an RNC planning committee this week finalized a slate of food providers to service attendees
who will be spread across four venues, including Quicken Loans Arena and the Huntington
Convention Center.
When it comes to video and communications, AT&T was named the RNC's official provider earlier
this year. Spokeswoman Sarah Briggs said the company has already tripled its 4G capacity in the
downtown area and made 165 LTE upgrades to existing cell sites.
"It's like more lanes on the highway," Ms. Briggs said in an interview. "The highway was already
existing, we're just adding additional lanes for increased traffic."
The company has also installed 50,000 new feet of fiber cable and eight outdoor distributed
antennae systems to improve street level mobile coverage. All those upgrades will remain in place
permanently following the convention, Ms. Briggs said.
Temporary measures still underway include the setup of four mobile cell towers and a number of
LTE small cells to be placed in key venue and hotel locations. Ms. Briggs was unable to provide cost
figures.
"We already have teams in Cleveland working on these upgrades all day, every day," Ms. Briggs
said. "As we get closer and during convention week that's exactly how we've described it: all hands
on deck."

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As an added perk, she said the company is sponsoring free admission for the public to the Rock and
Roll Hall of Fame during the convention.
On the utility side, FirstEnergy anticipates electricity demand will reach an all-time high in the
downtown area during the event. The downtown area typically sees usage of about six megawatts
on an average day in July, but the company said it estimates that could jump three or four
megawatts. The increase would be larger if the weather is hot and humid.
"Our employees have been working hard since last year to ensure that our system is ready for the
convention," Illuminating Company Regional President John Skory said. "Whether it be a summer
storm, a heatwave, or increased vehicle and pedestrian traffic in Cleveland affecting our employees'
ability to quickly access locations in the downtown area, we will be ready to safely and effectively
keep the lights on for our out-of-town visitors and regular customers."
The company says it has spent more than $3 million on infrastructure improvements, maintenance
and employee training and plans to have all field work, inspections, repairs and functional tests
complete before the end of this month.
Several emergency readiness exercises were conducted May 5 replicating severe weather,
equipment problems and other potential roadblocks. The company estimates more than 500
employees from the Illuminating Company and FirstEnergy have been "actively" involved in the
preparation.
"With the inspections and maintenance we have completed, combined with readiness exercises and
other employee training we have conducted, our goal is to maintain the same level of reliable electric
service for the convention that we currently provide our Cleveland and northeast Ohio customers on
a daily basis," Mr. Skory said.
When it comes to food, the convention's Committee on Arrangements this week announced a dozen
caterers, nine of which are based in Ohio, to service the RNC. Convention CEO Jeff Larson, in a
statement, thanked the more than 50 companies that took part in the selection process.
"The Convention is rapidly approaching, and these official caterers will play a crucial role in making
sure all of our delegates, guests, and volunteers have the time of their lives," Mr. Larson said. "Their
contributions to the Convention cannot be understated, and we are very excited to include these 12
caterers in our preparations."
Caterers are divided by venue. Serving Quicken Loans Arena are Aramark, Marigold Catering, the
Driftwood Group, and the Hungry Bee. Serving the Huntington Convention Center are Bubba's Q,
Executive Caterers, Levy, and Normandy Catering. Serving Progressive Field are A Taste of
Excellence, Delaware North, and Simply Southern Sides. Serving Freedom Plaza are Aramark,
Delaware North, and Del's Catering.