Bloggers will be in full force at Republican National Convention

Banner preparations
Workers install the first pieces of a banner on the west side of the Xcel Energy Center, home to the Republican National Convention. The banner, which is expected to carry the RNC logo and the Xcel name, will serve as a backdrop for news networks that will be filming outdoor live shots during the Sept. 1-4 convention.
MPR Photo/Laura Yuen

Bloggers will be in full force covering the Republican National Convention this year, and convention staff say they'll have a bird's eye view of the action.

Convention press secretary Joanna Burgos said that at the last convention in 2004, only a dozen bloggers were on site. At this year's convention in September, organizers are expecting about 200.

"It's a totally different world, but we're embracing it," Burgos said. "You know, it gives the public an opportunity to know what is going on every second of the convention. So our message is disseminated so much more, which is good for us."

Two levels of workspace areas have been dedicated to bloggers and radio journalists. Work crews are also transforming the arena's hospitality suites into network news studios equipped with soundproof walls and news anchor desks.

Outside, workers began installing a banner on the west side of the arena. It will serve as a backdrop for many of the live news shots that will be filmed during the convention.

The event will take place September 1st through 4th.