By: Dale King
BOCA RATON- As the campaign for the 2012 presidential election in November begins to heat up, so also is the planning for the final debate between the two presidential candidates scheduled for Oct. 22 on the campus
ofLynnUniversityinBoca Raton.
Palm BeachCountyrecently came up with $150,000 in tourism tax dollars for the university to market the debate as a destination. Tourism officials say the event is expected to attract 1,000 journalists and fill at least 3,000 hotel rooms in the area.
That decision comes a month after Gov. Rick Scott vetoed $250,000 in state money that was meant to help local communities cover security costs related to the debate.
Although county commissioners approved the tourism tax disbursement unanimously, Commissioner Paulette Burdick questioned university and tourism officials on how the county would benefit.
But Commissioner Burt Aaronson likened the debate to the “Super Bowl,” and said it would give the county considerable exposure.
In addition, the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce is getting into the act.
At a recent business awards luncheon, Chamber President and CEO Troy McLellan announced that the organization “is launching an initiative in conjunction withLynnUniversitywhere your company can become an official small business partner to the 2012 presidential debate.”
“As a partner, your company will enjoy the benefits of having the eyes of the world on Boca Ratonon October 22,” he said. “You will be featured on both the Chamber’s and Lynn University’s debate website pages, receive tickets to an exclusive VIP debate viewing party at Mizner Park – in addition to an official Debate Partner certificate, lapel pins, and much more.”
McLellan said, “This is a great opportunity to be a part of something that is very unique and rare – and perhaps once in a lifetime! And although we all might not be watching the debate onLynn’s campus, our community will rally and demonstrate our strengths and special attributes. So, when 3,000 members of the national media descend on our great city in October, let’s show them howBoca Ratonis unified in our efforts to support our success.
For details and to become an Official Small Business Partner for $255, visit www.bocaratonchamber.com/2012debate.
Looking forward to the general election, Lynn has also launched its official 2012 presidential debate website.
The site will be the university’s central repository for all things related to the debate. It will allow users to find out the latest information on student events, classes, community happenings, lectures and other activities related to the event.
“We are thrilled to be a part of this signature event for American democracy,” Lynn University President Kevin M. Ross, said. “And this site will help us share information about all the exciting on- and off-campus happenings coming this year that are related to the debate. It will be a springboard for anyone who wants to share in this amazing experience.”
The site was designed for easy navigation and quick access to information. As such, it offers two large buttons on the right side: “Become a Volunteer” and “Maps and Directions,” and a simple menu along the left side that may expand as more information becomes available.
To help everyone keep track of how long until the event, the site also offers a countdown clock in the upper-right of the site. The clock is visible no matter what page the user is on.
Caption
The presidential debate will be held in the Wold Performing Arts Center Oct. 22 on the campus of Lynn University in Boca Raton.