Denver beat out New York to win the bid for the Democratic National Convention, August 25-29, 2008. It will be the largest "traditional" convention in Denver's history, according to Richard Scharf, Denver Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau president and CEO.

"We are thrilled and honored to have been selected for this convention after intense competition with some of the largest cities in the country," he said in a press release. "The DNC will bring a huge economic boost and national and international exposure to Denver during a week that is traditionally very slow for the city's hospitality industry."

According to press reports, the deal was sealed when a compromise was negotiated to staff the nonunion Pepsi Center, site of the convention, entirely with union personnel for the duration of the convention.

Denver hosted World Youth Day in 1993, which attracted an estimated 90,000 young people from around the world, but the majority of them stayed in private homes, campgrounds, and other facilities created specifically for the event, according to the press release. The DNC, which attracts 35,000 people, will be the largest event using hotel rooms.

The convention takes place right after the Summer Olympics in Beijing, scheduled for August 8 to 24.