Ken Jones says it’s a fine, but definable “line of demarcation.” Others might liken it to the separation of “church and state.” And some might even call it “mission impossible.” Jones is talking about formally keeping politics out of his purview as the CEO of the Tampa Bay Host Committee for the 2012 Republican National convention. A gathering that is arguably the ultimate partisan political assemblage in this society.
Jones’ charge, he underscores, is to showcase Tampa and the region. From downtown’s morphing waterfront to Pinellas’ tourist-magnet beaches to examples of a business-friendly climate.
“Our mission and goal is different than that of the RNC (Republican National Committee),” emphasizes Jones. “I’m a business guy. Not a (political) wing nut. At the end of the day, I’m a pragmatic person. If we can generate a $200-million impact by having Libertarians or Democrats here, I’ll take it. It’s about dollars and sense.”
Officially, the Host Committee, which does include some Democrats such as former U.S. Rep. Jim Davis, is a 501(c)3 charity. That means donation dollars are tax-deductible. It also means it’s open to foundations. Its governing documents actually cover both political parties.
“If you look at our articles of organization, you’d see our purpose is the hosting of either the Republican or Democratic conventions,” points out Jones. “If a Democratic convention were to be in Tampa, I would absolutely love to serve on the host committee — although they would probably want somebody else to be the CEO!”
Indeed, Jones, the executive vice president and general counsel for Tampa-based Communications Equity Associates, has GOP credentials. He has served as senior strategic advisor and counsel to the last three GOP conventions. He’s also a former chief legal counsel and deputy chief of staff to former U.S. Senate Republican Majority Leader Trent Lott. Jones, 39, is a player, but he’s no longer on that side of the equation. Tampa Bay, where he grew up, is his client for the next year.
His Committee’s responsibilities range from raising private dollars (to date: more than $15 million toward a goal of approximately $55 million) and coordinating logistics (such as dedicated bus lanes) to building a strategic communications plan (targeting media, the business community and delegates), overseeing venue leasing, lining up sponsors and recruiting (at least 8,000) volunteers. They will also put a premium on the delegate experience — especially for those who come in early. In short, their job is to make everything run smoothly.
To those ends, he’s much more likely to run into Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, a Democrat, than RNC chairman Reince Priebus. His Host Committee has more in common with Tampa Bay & Company, the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce and the Tampa Downtown Partnership than the RNC. That’s because they’re all selling this community and this market — not the GOP ticket.
Or as Jones has put it: “Our candidate is Tampa Bay.”
The job of selling the GOP and its political message is that of the Republican Party Committee on Arrangements, which gets federal campaign-financing dollars. Jones explained the “line of demarcation” in a recent presentation to the Tampa Tiger Bay Club. “Anything that’s infrastructure-related, we pay for,” said Jones. “Anything that makes the nominee look better, anything that messages, we can’t get involved in that.”
Among the Host Committee’s closest collaborators is Tampa Bay & Company, the erstwhile Tampa Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau. It has been working in concert with Jones’s Host Committee since last year in preparing for an influx of 45,000 visitors, including 15,000 media — second only to an Olympics.
“Maybe there’s a perception among some that it’s all politics, but that’s really not the case,” stresses Dianne Jacob, the senior vice president for marketing at Tampa Bay & Company. “Our mission is to bring visitors to this area. We all share the same goal, including impressing on guests that ‘Tampa is ready to do business.’ Showcasing the community is truly apolitical.”
Along the way, she’s been impressed with what Jones, who has a five-person staff, brings to the Host Committee table.
“I know Ken has a lot to juggle,” says Jacob. “It’s important that he’s a high-energy multi-tasker. It’s also very important that he’s a lawyer — what with all the contracts involved. Making sure the community is protected.”
In short, there are a lot of people behind the scenes too busy — and too defined — for politics as usual.
“When I make presentations, I always talk about the economic message,” says Jones. “And, no, it’s not some ‘wink-and-nod’ exercise. It may sound counterintuitive to some, but this is truly about Tampa Bay.
“When you look at the (convention-site) history since the 1970s, there aren’t that many repeat cities. They do spread it around. We have to look at this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity — and leverage this convention into multiple business opportunities. If you can host this, you can host anything. The logistics, the sheer intensity, the media coverage. This event has it all.”
Including others to deal with the politics.
We’ll give the final word to iconic Republican Al Austin, the Host Committee chairman.
“For me, this is unique,” acknowledges Austin. “I have a dedication to the party. Now I can no longer talk about politics. And, you know, I kind of like it. I’m a die-hard Tampa Bay booster.”
Ken Jones Outtakes
* On soliciting donations: “Campaign money is a tough ask right now. But as a 501(c)3 charity, frankly it’s easier. There is the community benefit, economic-development perspective.”
* Security: “The U.S. Secret Service controls the ground game for the entire event.”
* Priority perceptions for visitors: “We want to be perceived as a great place to play and a great place to do business.”
* Advice to locals: “I say stay in town — conventions are very evening-centric events — and volunteer. We need at least 8,000. There will be some public events, and we hope people take advantage. This isn’t just about an area and a city, it’s also about the people.”
* Feedback from recent RNC-member visitors: “There were a number frankly who were surprised that Tampa had such a beautiful waterfront. And so proximate to the convention center and the Forum.”
* An appropriate analogy to a political convention: “Like a Florida-Florida State game, only more intense.”