Convention Team Undaunted By $85M Fundraising Pledge
By Pat Loeb
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- A major factor in winning the convention bid was the city's pledge to raise $85 million to stage it. That will be a challenge, especially coming on the heels of fundraising for the Pope's visit this fall. Nonetheless, local fundraisers are confident.
"$85 Million dollars is real money," says Comcast executive vice president David Cohen, the senior advisor to the city's convention team.
Cohen doesn't flinch at the sum. "We have the team in place to be able to raise the money. It doesn't all have to be raised in Philadelphia," he says.
Cohen says national companies will seek the promotional opportunity of the convention and give, but he says the city's real advantage is supportive local leaders.
"This is not political money," he says. "This is a civic opportunity."
That, of course, is the same pitch the Archdiocese is making for the World Meeting of Families. Blue Cross president Dan Hilferty is leading that fundraising effort but was also part of the convention bid team, and he thinks plenty of people will support both.
"Everybody will rally around something that's good for the region, that's good for the city and will attract more people to our great city," he says.