To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

CHARLOTTE -- With less than eight months to go until the Democratic National Convention, organizers continue to roll out the welcome wagon to the thousands expected in the Queen City.

Tuesday, the Host Committee announced the 13 venues selected to hold welcome events the weekend before the convention kick-off.

"We have a great track record of exceeding customer expectations and this convention will give us a chance to show this to the world," said Tom Murray, CEO of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority.

The events start Saturday, Sept. 1 at the North Carolina Music Factory, with a party for all 15-,000 members of the media.

Guests will be able to sample each of the property's 14 venues. Live entertainment is also expected.

"I don't know if there is a bigger honor than having the opportunity to host 15,000 media people,” said developer Noah Lazes. “It's almost incomprehensible.”

Festivities will be held for the 6,000 delegates Sunday, Sept. 2 at 12 diverse venues from across the region.

They include:

-Charlotte Museum of History

-Duke Mansion

-Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

-The Carolina Raptor Center

-U.S. National Whitewater Center

-Wadsworth Estate

-NASCAR Hall of Fame

-Mint Museum

-Discovery Place

-The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art

-The Harvey B. Gantt Center

There's no word on what state's delegates will attend which function. Details on how much the events would cost were not available, but will not come from the $37 million needed for the actual convention.

"In our exhibitions, they'll discover how Charlotte has moved from farm, to factory, to finance and how now in the first decades of the 21st century it's reinventing itself yet again," added Emily Zimmern from the Levine Museum of the New South.

Each event scheduled that weekend will have its own event planner, giving more local businesses a chance to capitalize on the DNC.

Those interested in taking part should register with the online vendor directory at www.Charlottein2012.com.