When visitors arrive at Charlotte Douglas International Airport for the Democratic National Convention, they’ll pass screens that show places like Bojangles, Discovery Place, Knight Theater, the Firebird and various museums.

The video also includes several Charlotteans, such as Mayor Anthony Foxx and Bobcats owner Michael Jordan, saying: “Welcome to Charlotte.”

The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority made an updated welcome video a few months ago.

The video is also played in the convention center. To find it online, go to charlottesgotalot.com and click on the YouTube button in the top right corner of the web page under “follow us.” Victoria Guida

Tampa empties as its convention kicks off

Will uptown Charlotte next week resemble downtown Tampa this week?

Many downtown businesses were closed on Monday. Several banks and other big employers had few employees at work.

A lot of downtown streets were closed off as police marked parade routes for protesters. Giant steel fences surrounded public buildings. Armed National Guard troops protected city hall.

Even smaller businesses felt the absence.

“We’re dead,” said Jim Venetos, owner of Moxies restaurant. “I don’t know whether it’s because of the convention or the hurricane.”

Jim Morrill

Hudson gets ready for speech at RNC today

Republican Richard Hudson took to the podium in the Tampa Bay Times Forum on Monday, but not to address delegates.

Organizers scheduled a 30-minute rehearsal for Hudson’s 2-minute speech today. The congressional candidate in North Carolina’s 8th District will speak to delegates, or as many of them are in the hall on Tuesday afternoon.

Another GOP candidate, David Rouzer in the competitive 7th District, also will speak.

One congressional candidate who won’t is Charlotte’s Jack Brosch. He’s running in the heavily Democratic 12th District against longtime Rep. Mel Watt.

That doesn’t bother him, he said, noting the limited time and “pretty much an unlimited amount of candidates.” Jim Morrill

Clinton stars at Arkansas fundraiser

Bill Clinton and Black Eyed Peas musician will.i.am are hoping to party like it’s 1992.

They’re teaming up at a Democratic Party of Arkansas fundraising event next Tuesday during the Charlotte convention.

Clinton will be marking the 20-year anniversary of his presidential nomination – hence the event’s title, “A Party Two Decades in the Making.”

Clinton is also scheduled to speak during prime time at the convention. Politico