Winning team connected using convention
CHARLOTTE – The Democratic National Convention Committee and the Committee for
Charlotte in 2012 today named the team of EventSphere, Akintayo Management Group and It’s
My Affair to serve as the housing services vendor for the 2012 Democratic National Convention.
“This team, along with the resources of the Charlotte hotel community, provides us with the
experience and local connections to ensure that convention attendees receive a superior housing
experience in Charlotte,” said DNCC Chief Executive Officer Steve Kerrigan. “With the local
resources and valuable relationships of It’s My Affair and the institutional knowledge and
expertise that EventSphere and Akintayo Management Group bring from the 2008 Democratic
National Convention, this team will be able to effectively manage the thousands of hotel rooms
that will be needed for the convention.”
The three firms bid as a team. EventSphere and Akintayo Management Group identified
Charlotte-based It’s My Affair for their partnership using the convention vendor directory, a tool
that allows organizations and individuals to search for local companies to meet their conventionrelated needs. Local business can register for the vendor directory at www.charlottein2012.com.
Future request for proposals will be issued through the vendor directory
The housing services vendor will work closely with the DNCC housing department to manage
the DNCC’s hotel room blocks for convention week. The vendor will be responsible for
providing support teams, including call centers, website reservation services and fax machines;
building on existing housing inventory, handling contracts and assisting with housing
inspections; managing housing inventory, wait-list procedures and post cut-off procedures;
providing reservation services and meeting space management systems; and managing deposits
and refunds, conducting audits and producing ongoing reports.
The DNCC is responsible for housing approximately 6,000 convention delegates, as well as
certain elected officials, some media, security, production staff, allied groups, campaign staff,
and other special guests.
The DNCC evaluated the proposals based on numerous criteria, including experience, reliability,
relationships to Charlotte, North Carolina, and the surrounding region, women, minorities and
persons with disabilities, and local resources to support the endeavor.
This is the fourth contract the DNCC and the Committee for Charlotte in 2012 have awarded.
The first set of contracts for construction manager, event architect and event and exposition
services provider were awarded in October
EventSphere
EventSphere’s mission is to be a dynamic housing company that offers its client partners a
solution-driven and results-proven housing services platform. The team is composed of seasoned
industry veterans with an average of 20 years of hospitality and housing expertise. EventSphere
works with some of the largest annual conventions and events in the United States.
EventSphere’s team provided housing services for the 2008 Democratic National Convention
Akintayo Management Group
Akintayo Management Group is an innovative company that provides notable services in project
oversight and business development, with expertise in the hospitality industry. AMG’s President
and CEO, Tina E. Akintayo, served as the Director of Housing for the 2008 Democratic National
Convention, developing, managing and greening the housing process for several thousand
convention attendees. Prior to 2008, Tina is a LEED accredited profession with 20 years of
experience in the hotel industry.
It’s My Affair
IT’s My Affair, LLC is an SBA 8(a) certified small disadvantaged, minority and woman-owned
business providing full-service conference, meeting and event management services. IMA’s
Charlotte-based team supports a diverse list of clients with site selection, budget development
and contract negotiation, full meeting and event planning services, travel and housing support.
Karen Lawrence, Founder and President, has more than 14 years of experience managing
meetings and special events. Karen served as Co-chair of the Educational Dream Team for
Meeting Professionals International, Charlotte Chapter.