TRAININGS
Democratic National Committee
August 14, 2024

DNC Announces Full Daytime Convention Programming in Chicago, Debuts ‘DemPalooza’ Events and Trainings Open to All

Today, the DNC announced that in addition to nightly programming at the United Center in Chicago, the DNC will host a slate of trainings, panels, and other programming called “DemPalooza” in McCormick Place every day of the convention in order to engage and help prepare Democrats for the general election.

Programming for DemPalooza will be led by the DNC, Harris for President, and other partner organizations on a broad range of topics and in various formats, from trainings on how to use organizing tools like the Reach app and issues focused messaging panels, to polling briefings and skills building workshops. These are part of the DNC and Harris-Walz campaign’s strategic efforts to organize and reach voters in an evolving media environment, and give Democrats the opportunity to take their learnings back to the communities who will decide this election. DemPalooza will also feature a vendor and allied partner expo, showcasing the neighborhoods of Chicago, vendor booths, and an interactive space for participants to make friendship bracelets, get a ‘Kamala Harris’ manicure, listen to a podcast recording, or watch a performance from a local artist.

McCormick Place will also host 33 Caucus and Council meetings over the course of the convention that will be led by caucus and council chairs from across the country. Speakers at the caucus and council meetings are trusted voices in their communities, and will be critical leaders in mobilizing voters this November. Those leaders include Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey, New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, Rep. Maxwell Frost, Rep. Morgan McGarvey, Mayor Regina Romero, TN Rep. Justin Pearson, Maryland Democratic Senate Candidate Angela Alsobrooks, Reproductive Freedom for All President Mini Timmaraju, AFT President Randi Weingarten, UFW President Teresa Romero, and more.

“Democrats have been waiting eight years for this moment, and we’re making the most of it – not only for those who will be part of the Convention proceedings every night at the United Center, but also for the thousands and thousands of Americans from across the city and across the country who will celebrate our historic nominee in Chicago,” said DNC Chair Jaime Harrison. “DemPalooza is a reflection of our values as Democrats – of, by, and for the people. We are bringing together thought leaders, advocates, grassroots supporters, and every day Americans who want to get involved in our democratic process ahead of the most consequential election of our lifetime. Every day at the McCormick Center, thousands of Democratic leaders from across the country will come together to network, train, share ideas, and activate voters and volunteers. The Democratic Party is a big tent party, gathering diverse perspectives and experiences in order to come together through shared common values. We want to broaden out the convention experience beyond the United Center to leverage these diverse perspectives and create something special for the grassroots who will power our party through Election Day and beyond.”

More on Daytime Activities in McCormick Place:

McCormick Place will provide a space for everyone in the Democratic Party to participate in the Convention. In addition to DemPalooza, meetings of the party’s caucuses and councils will also be held daily in McCormick Place.

DemPalooza Trainings and Briefings

DemPalooza trainings and briefings will be held every day in McCormick Place between 1:00 PM CT and 4:45 PM CT. Attendees will have over 40 events to choose from over the course of the week, with programming led by DNC, the Harris-Walz campaign, and dozens of partner organizations. 

Examples of DemPalooza Events Hosted by the DNC:

  • Everything You Need to Know About Trump’s Project 2025 Agenda
  • Documentary screening of “In the Bubble with Jaime” featuring DNC Chair Jaime Harrison
  • Cultivating a Unified Vision: Embedding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Progressive Politics
  • Tools for the Party: 2024 DNC Tech Infrastructure
Examples of Events Hosted by the Harris-Walz Campaign:

  • Project 2025: Organizing Your Friends and Family
  • Investing in Communities: Biden-Harris Infrastructure Success Stories
  • Building Winning Coalitions
  • Protecting the Vote 2024: Effective Strategies to Make Sure Every Vote Counts
DemPalooza Vendor and Allied Partner Expo

The DemPalooza Vendor and Allied Partner Expo will be open from 9 AM CT - 4:30 PM CT every day of the convention and serve as a general meeting place for anyone to gather and interact with Democrats from across the country. The expo will have three sections:
 
  • “All Things Chicago” - sponsored by the Host Committee, “All Things Chicago” will feature the different neighborhoods of Chicago and celebrate the local community that is hosting Democrats from across the country for the Convention.
  • Vendor Space - vendors are invited to interact with convention-goers and share their products, including The Patch Party and Sip and Savor.
  • Interactive Space - convention-goers will bring the joy! Areas to make friendship bracelets, get a ‘Kamala Harris’ manicure, listen to a podcast recording, or watch a performance will all be available.
DNC Caucus and Council Meetings

The DNC will host 33 Council and Caucus meetings at McCormick Place over the course of the convention that will be led by caucus and council chairs from across the country and will be open to the public both in person and on the DNC’s Youtube page. The DNC’s caucuses and councils will meet every day of the convention to hear from community members, celebrate our values as a Democrat Party, and hear from DNC leadership, elected officials, community leaders, and more.

Speakers at the caucus and council meetings include Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey, New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, Rep. Maxwell Frost, Rep. Morgan McGarvey, Mayor Regina Romero, TN Rep. Justin Pearson, Maryland Democratic Senate Candidate Angela Alsobrooks, Reproductive Freedom for All President Mini Timmaraju, AFT President Randi Weingarten, UFW President Teresa Romero, and more.

You can see a full list of the different DNC Caucus and Council’s here.

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