To engage Americans and make the 2008 Republican National Convention the most tech-savvy ever, convention President and Chief Executive Officer Maria Cino said Ustream.TV will serve as the event's Official Live Video Streaming Provider. The announcement was made during a news conference broadcast live over the Internet using the Ustream.TV Web-based video platform.

"Partnering with Ustream.TV sends a clear message that the Republican Party wants the Internet generation and all people -- from Party loyalists to casual observers -- to be part of the 2008 Republican National Convention," said Cino. "Anyone with computer and Internet access will be guaranteed a front-row seat to history through http://www.GOPConvention2008.com, as we formally nominate the next President and Vice President of the United States."

Ustream.TV allows anyone with a camera, computer, and Internet connection to broadcast live video to a global audience. Ustream.TV was founded by two U.S. military veterans and a technologist who strived to create a way for people of all ages around the globe to connect with each other through the power of live, online video broadcasts.

In addition to live gavel-to-gavel coverage of the convention, the Ustream.TV broadcasting platform will be used to proactively engage bloggers and traditional media outlets unable to travel to Minneapolis-Saint Paul for the event. As part of the pioneering effort, convention and other Republican officials will be scheduled to participate in live video web chats and other online interviews, using Ustream.TV's platform, leading up to and during the Republican National Convention.

"We are excited that the Republican National Convention has chosen Ustream.TV as its live video broadcasting platform," said Brad Hunstable, co-founder of Ustream.TV, who also participated in the news conference. "Ustream.TV provides a completely new approach to video on the Web that allows 'broadcasters' to reach broader audiences, while giving 'viewers' the chance to interact with the content producer in a live forum. We look forward to working with the Republican National Convention to significantly expand its reach into the blogosphere -- and beyond."

"The Republican Party continues to embrace innovative means to communicate our strong message to the American people and the rest of the world," said Republican National Committee Co-Chair and Convention Chairman Jo Ann Davidson. "New and existing mediums alike are being utilized to promote the ideas of lower taxes and less government; keeping America secure; and letting patients and doctors, not government, make important health care decisions."

The 2008 Republican National Convention will be held at Saint Paul's Xcel Energy Center from September 1-4, 2008. Approximately 45,000 delegates, alternate delegates, volunteers, members of the media and other guests are expected to attend the convention. Minneapolis-Saint Paul is expected to receive an estimated $150-$160 million positive economic boost from the four-day event. For more information about the 2008 Republican National Convention, please visit our website at http://www.GOPConvention2008.com.