FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                           

August 24, 2012                                                                                  

Ohio Virtual Convention Experience Open to All 

Traveling to Tampa isn't the only way to be a Part of the Action

COLUMBUS - The Ohio Republican Party (ORP) will launch the first-ever virtual convention for Ohioans who want to participate in the 2012 Republican National Convention electing Mitt Romney as the Republican nominee for president.

"Much has changed since I attended my first convention in 1964; this year we just might be the most mobile high-tech delegation down here," said ORP chairman Bob Bennett.  "The bottom line is that this year's election is too important to have Ohioans sitting on the sidelines. The technology we will be using will give us a digital presence and is meant to encourage engagement from people everywhere."

The ORP convention team developed a variety of mobile opportunities for Ohioans back in the Buckeye State to be a part of the Convention action.  The virtual headquarters is set up at www.OhioGOP.org/Convention and will feature:

• Online Streaming of all Ohio Events:  A first for Ohio, all Ohio events will be broadcast digitally online giving everyone an opportunity to participate in the action.  Events will follow the conventions theme of "A Better Future" and present the clear contrast between the failed policies of Barack Obama and Governor Romney's vision for a better future.     

• Live-blogging Convention Updates: The ORP social media team will be posting from an insider's perspective about guest appearances, convention functions and floor activities so visitors feel like they are part of history.  This function is also available for newspapers to embed into their websites. 

• Text-Messaging to Delegates, Volunteers and Press:  In another first, all 500+ members of the Ohio delegation will have access to a sophisticated text messaging system for important updates.   

"The Ohio Republican Party set up a text-messaging network to provide weather news and other information to its delegates..." (8/24 Bloomberg News)

• Skype Interviews for local TV:  For Ohio TV stations unable to join us in Tampa we will be hosting open-Skype sessions to speak with local delegates, participants and featured speakers.  Please email Media@OhioGOP.org or call (614) 769-2201 to set up an interview.  

• Follow ORP on Twitter and Facebook: Follow ORP team members and our Ohio Republican leaders on Twitter and Facebook for pictures, immediate updates and updates about surprise appearances at this year's convention. 

The 40th Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Form on August 27-30 will present Governor Romney's vision for a brighter, better future and will lay out an optimistic, achievable plan to make it happen.