Yacht parties, free snacks, and multiple lounges: This is what the Democratic National Convention in Chicago looks like so far for the influencers and creators invited. For the first time ever, 200 creators have been credentialed to cover the convention as part of the Democrats’ attempt to reach young voters. But while they’re receiving the VIP treatment, credentialed journalists are struggling to find an outlet to plug in their laptops.
As the DNC kicked off on Monday, security lines snaked for hours around the city blocks. Influencers, delegates, members of Congress, and journalists like CNN anchors Dana Bash and Wolf Blitzer were held up. Exiting and entering the convention was a chore, with creators and journalists waiting in hour-long lines to be screened by security. “Maybe this is a mistake,” Bash was heard saying about her choice to leave the event and return later.
Inside the United Center, however, everything was different. The credentialed influencers have at least four different locations for filming. There’s a three-tiered platform on the convention floor where influencers and creators can sit that has a direct vantage point to the stage. They’re also allowed up in the galleries alongside the traditional writing press. On Monday, many influencers spent most of their time in one of the two creator-only lounges; inside the lounges, convention staff restocked buffet tables full of wine and free food like prime rib sandwiches.
Before heading to the convention center, creators were invited to an exclusive yacht party. The bar onboard served “Midwest Margaritas” and the “I’m Speaking Spritz,” while the creators mingled with members of the Harris campaign and Governor Tim Walz’s wife Gwen Walz.
The creator amenities and floor access stand in stark contrast to what the DNC has made available to credentialed press outlets, despite journalists and creators having similar accreditation. There were 15,000 members of the media who were credentialed for the event, and while some larger outlets have trailers outside of the convention center, journalists have complained that they’ve received far less floor access and work space than other previous party conventions. Some had a difficult time finding anywhere to sit. In one of the press sections, there weren’t enough power strips for the journalists present.
“We are concerned that the decision to reduce dedicated and accessible workspace by hundreds compared to prior conventions will hinder journalists’ ability to cover the historic nature of this convention,” the Standing Committee of Correspondents, an organization that represents journalists covering the party conventions, said in a statement to WIRED on Tuesday. “The Standing Committee of Correspondents urged the DNC to allocate significantly more workspace for print journalists attending this year’s convention in Chicago than they decided to provide.
Influencers have become an integral part of campaign digital strategy on both sides of the aisle this cycle. On Monday, the New York Times reported that five creators are expected to speak at the convention this week. Some of these speakers are predominantly lifestyle influencers, while others create content advocating for specific issues like reproductive rights.
“Bringing creators to our convention will multiply our reach and ensure that everyone can witness democracy in action,” said Cayana Mackey-Nance, Director of Digital Strategy for the DNCC said in a statement earlier this month. “We’re confident that when the world turns to Chicago in August on their phones, tablets, or TVs, they’ll see exactly who Democrats are and the future that we’re fighting for.”
