Young democrats across the Tar Heel state will be migrating to Chapel Hill for their annual convention this year.

The teen, college, and young democrats announced, earlier this week, they would hold their 2015 convention in Chapel Hill.

Chapel Hill Town Council Member Lee Storrow says this event is an opportunity to lay a path for the Democratic Party’s movement going forward.

“It’s a great opportunity to bring folks together from across the state,” he says, “to think strategically, plan, and network about the work that needs to be done to move our state forward.”

Storrow represents the Town of Chapel Hill on the Board of the Orange County Visitor’s Bureau, and he says the convention will afford the town an opportunity to prove it has the resources and capability to host an event this size.

“I’m really excited, as a community, about the work that the visitor’s bureau is doing,” he says. “Tourism is a clean form of economic development: people come to the community, spend a lot of money, and then they leave.”

Storrow says he expects the meeting to bring a couple of hundred visitors to Chapel Hill – adding if the town successfully houses this convention, it will be very helpful in recruiting another mid-size event in the years to come.

He says the convention will serve as a chance for democrats to define the message they want to send voters, especially in light of the 2014 elections that saw many democrats lose to their conservative counterparts across the state and nation.

Storrow was quick to point out that, as elections nationally didn’t go the democrat’s way, many local elections did fall in their favor, including races for Wake County Commissioner.
While taking full control of the County Commissioner positions in Orange, Durham, and Wake Counties, democrats still struggled to hit the mark with their message in rural North Carolina. Storrow says this is an area where his fellow democrats need to improve.

“The Democratic Party has always stood for public investment: an investment in working families, investment in education, investment in a transportation system that can bring people closer together,” he says.

“I think that’s a message that’s relevant across the state.”

The young democrat’s convention will be held March 27 through 29 and will be based out of the Sheraton Chapel Hill on Europa Drive.

A full schedule of events for the convention and registration is available on the convention’s website.

Related Stories
‹
Orange County Visitors Bureau Executive Director Laurie Paolicelli Announces Retirement
Laurie Paolicelli recently announced this year will be her last as executive director for the Orange County Visitors Bureau.
Orange County Animal Control Searching for Fox in Chapel Hill After 2 People Bitten
Two people are receiving treatment after they were bitten by a fox Friday afternoon. Animal Control officers are active in Chapel Hill.
Chapel Hill: Budget Update, Timeline, Library Funding, and More
Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, May 14, discussing town news and events. She discussed the recent public hearing on the town's proposed budget, which saw many community members speak on library funding and more. She also discussed upcoming events in the community and more.
Victim Identified in Chapel Hill House Fire; Investigation Into Cause Still Ongoing
The Chapel Hill Fire Department said one person died in a house fire on the corner of Redbud Lane and Honeysuckle Road Monday morning.
NCDOT Warns of Traffic Delays as Pedestrian Work Continues on Highway 54
The North Carolina Department of Transportation is cautioning motorists to be aware of potential traffic delays along North Carolina Highway 54. The delays come as the NCDOT works with a contractor to install pedestrian infrastructure at three key intersections along the highway. As was first reported in January, crosswalks with traffic signals will be installed […]
During Bike Month, Chapel Hill Highlights Resources to Expand Bicycle Use and Improve Safety
Alongside the town's Vison Zero efforts through Vision Zero, Chapel Hill Transit offers trip coordination using its bus routes and greenways.
UNC Reports More Than $17 Million in Direct Economic Impact from Savannah Bananas Visit
According to a release from UNC, the recent visit from the Savannah Bananas to Chapel Hill generated an estimated $17.1 million.
Al's Burger Shack Hailed as 'Best Cheeseburger in North Carolina'
The website Fast Food Club named Al’s Burger Shack in Chapel Hill as the best cheeseburger in North Carolina in a new list, which sought the best cheeseburger in every state. “The beef is locally sourced, the toppings are creative and seasonally inspired, and every burger is cooked with the kind of attention usually reserved […]
Chapel Hill-Headquartered Insurance Agency Earns Statewide Award, Top 3 Recognition
The local property and casualty insurance agency All About Insurance was recently awarded the Sapphire Agency Award by Auto-Owners Insurance.
No Tax Increases and Increased Spending Featured in Chapel Hill Staff's Proposed FY27 Budget
Following a year with improved revenues and a new town manager at the helm, the Town of Chapel Hill may go into the next fiscal year without a tax increase or significant cuts.
›