Republican convention organizers have announced that AT&T has been named the “Official Wireless Provider of the 2012 Republican National Convention” and will provide an array of products and services to support and enhance carrier-provided wireless communications in and around key convention venues in the Tampa Bay area.

Under an agreement with the convention, AT&T will support convention planners’ overall mobility efforts by providing voice and data communication services and a variety of mobile devices to help maintain fully integrated communications throughout the convention process.

In addition, AT&T is helping the convention expand its outreach and communications through the development of mobile applications and other services.

As part of the official provider announcement, the Republican National Convention announced a text messaging campaign, supported by AT&T technologies, that allows interested parties to sign up to be among the first to receive breaking news about the August event, including convention speakers and a schedule of daily events.

To sign up for these alerts, text “convention” to 99000 from your mobile device.

“This will be the first national political convention of the social networking era, with unprecedented demand for carrier-provided wireless broadband and AT&T is working to making sure that the convention is more than up to the task,” said convention Chief Executive Officer William Harris.

“Thanks to the improvements we envision, Tampa Bay will be the envy of the world,” said Harris. “This will help ensure convention-goers are able to share the sights, sounds and excitement as we nominate the next president of the United States.”

“We are delighted to be working with the Republic National Convention to provide wireless service and support at this summer’s convention,” said Ralph de la Vega, president and chief executive officer of AT&T Mobility.

“AT&T is privileged to offer the technical expertise of our employees and the capabilities of our wireless network to serve the 50,000 visitors expected in the Tampa Bay region. We look forward to continuing to invest and providing Floridians with superior service long after the convention is over.”

Image Courtesy of   Gage Skidmore

The article Republican Convention Announce Collaboration with AT&T appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Local students who have an artistic flair will get a chance to display their work to thousands of visitors attending this year’s Republican National Convention in Tampa.

The 2012 Republican National Convention is now accepting entries for its “Elephants on Parade” art competition. The competition is open to middle and high school students throughout the Tampa Bay area. Participants must submit a project that answers the question: what does being an American mean to me?

All qualifying works of art will be displayed in the Tampa Bay Times Forum, which will host the convention August 27-30. The top five finalists will also receive a private tour of the Times Forum and the Tampa Convention Center, where an expected 15,000 credentialed media will be based for the convention.

The first-place recipient will be awarded an opportunity to witness history with a pair of tickets to the Republican presidential nominee’s acceptance speech. Their winning entry also will be displayed in the nominee’s private suite in the Times Forum.

“This art competition is a way to involve and embrace the young artists in our community,” said convention CEO William Harris. “Children are the next generation of Americans, and it is important that we encourage and laud their patriotism. I look forward to reviewing the submissions for the competition personally.”

Entry packets for the “Elephants on Parade’’ competition will be sent to some 250 middle and high schools throughout the Tampa Bay area. Details about the competition, which has a July 6 submission deadline, also are available on the convention website, www.GOPConvention2012.com.

Each two-dimensional, framed entry must be original in concept, design and execution and may not violate any U.S. copyright laws. Any entry that has been copied from an existing photo (except the student’s own), painting, graphic, advertisement or any other work produced by another person is a violation of the competition rules and will not be accepted. Entries must be in the original medium (that is, not a scanned reproduction of a painting or drawing).

The 2012 Republican National Convention will be held at the Tampa Bay Times Forum August 27-30, 2012. Nearly 50,000 visitors are expected to come to the Tampa Bay area for the event, including delegates, alternate delegates, media and other guests.

For more information about the 2012 Republican National Convention, please visit www.GOPConvention2012.com, follow on Twitter, @GOPconvention, or “Like” on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GOPconvention.

The article Art Competition at 2012 Republican Convention in Tampa appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.