City will not Bid on 2004 Democratic or Republican Conventions

The City of Atlanta announced today that it would not submit proposals to host either the Democratic or Republican national conventions in the summer of 2004.  Letters were sent to both parties' convention committees to inform them of the decision.

"I would have loved to have hosted either of these historic events - however, Atlanta has become such a popular site for summer convention business that to do so in 2004 would displace several large groups that have already made their plans.  It would not be fair to ask them to find alternate locations," said Mayor Shirley Franklin.

The Mayor went on to say that she was already working with the Governor and other city and state leaders to lay the ground work for the possibility of hosting either convention in 2008.  "Atlanta's reputation as a convention city, especially in the summers, makes this kind of lead time necessary - especially for an event the size of a presidential convention."

Both the Democratic and Republican National Committees had asked the City of Atlanta to submit a proposal for hosting the events which are scheduled to be held in the summer of 2004.