August 19, 2020
Promo Plays Role in Virtual DNC
Delegates and donors received swag bags at their homes.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, there was no pomp and circumstance at the 2020 Democratic National Convention. No balloons falling from the rafters, no vendors along Milwaukee’s streets and no boozy after-parties. Attendees and protesters were few and far between outside the Wisconsin Center – the new host of the convention after plans were scrapped for the much larger Fiserv Forum due to social distancing guidelines.
However, the Democratic National Committee still relied on promotional products to make delegates and donors feel included in the mostly virtual event.
Hey, my swag for the @DNC Convention just arrived ... which I will watch from the comfort of my home. I should pack this stuff back up, give to my kids and in 50 years will be collectors item (assuming we still have a Democracy if Biden loses). pic.twitter.com/i6AIiYoZF0
— Tom Kemp (@TomKemp00) August 14, 2020
Prior to the big week, the Democratic Party and the campaign of former Vice President Joe Biden – who, on Tuesday, Aug. 18 was officially nominated as the party’s candidate for the U.S. presidency – mailed out swag bags to donors’ homes. Items included a bag of “Cup of Joe” coffee, notebooks emblazoned with the number 46 (representing the potential for Biden to become the 46th president of the United States), hats, buttons, posters, a bottle of confetti and a pair of “Joe 2020” champagne flutes, The New York Times reported.
Donors also received daily credentials as a compensatory memento for missing out on the traditional hoopla. The passes say, “DELAWARE SUITE,” in reference to Biden representing Delaware in the U.S. Senate from 1973 to 2009.
Watching day 1 Convention from Delaware Suite @JoeBiden @KamalaHarris pic.twitter.com/nPnjvahH8B
— Ajay Bhutoria (@ajainb) August 18, 2020
Party affiliates surprised delegates with creative gifts and branded merchandise, too. The South Carolina Democratic Party sent politically themed buttons, face masks and even bottles of chardonnay. “It’s been an extremely hot summer,” Trav Robertson, the state party chairman, told The New York Times. The New Hampshire Democratic Party made special shirts for delegates that read “I had a great time at the Democratic National Convention Milwaukee,” except with “Milwaukee” crossed out and the words “on my couch” inserted in red.
Excited to get my @DNC swag bag delivered by @ChairmanBuckley & @AmyLKennedy. Looking forward to my 1st #DemConvention, virtually.#nhpolitics #UnitedForBiden #BidenHarris #VOTE #VoteBlue2020 pic.twitter.com/lNpoLHWJpO
— Kathleen O'Donnell 603-GO-N-VOTE (@ODonnellKathlee) August 13, 2020
The Illinois Democratic Party included personal protective equipment (PPE) in its swag kits. Hand sanitizer and a mask were packaged with a branded cooler bag, can cooler, mug, tumbler, bumper sticker and posters. There was also a blue T-shirt featuring Illinois’ abbreviation with a face mask around it saying, “Convention from Home.”
“I was surprised when the UPS man came to the door and I said, ‘Oh my God, did I order something else?’ ” U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Matteson, told ABC7 Chicago.
During the week, members of the Edwin M. Lee Asian Pacific Democratic Club drove around San Francisco dropping off DNC “watch kits,” which included a stuffed animal donkey, face shield, mask, stickers, postcards, snacks and other Biden and running mate Kamala Harris-branded goodies.
Included in a DNC “Watch Kit”:
— Liz Kreutz (@ABCLiz) August 18, 2020
A stuffed animal donkey, “VOTE” mask, a face shield, snacks and other @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris swag - #DemConvention pic.twitter.com/UL6IexJ1o2
Of course, you don’t have to be a donor or attendee to obtain Democratic convention-branded swag. There’s an e-store on the DNC website that’s stocked with event-themed T-shirts, pins, buttons, tote bags and a mug. Prices range from $10 for a two-button set to $30 for items like the T-shirts.