Microsoft hosts Dunn salute on convention party circuit

By Alex Fryer
Seattle Times Washington bureau

E-mail this article Print this article Search archive Most read articles Most e-mailed articles

"She's been fantastic for Microsoft," said Chief Financial Officer John Connors, adding that Dunn's 12-year legislative career served as an inspiration for his young daughter.

The Microsoft-sponsored reception for Dunn, attended by lobbyists and delegates from Washington state, is nothing unusual during the four-day Republican National Convention.

Hundreds of companies and trade associations are footing the bill for after-hours events listed on the convention calendar. They include today's soirée at Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, sponsored by the Financial Services Forum, which is composed of 20 of the world's largest banks, brokerage houses and insurance companies.

The National Mining Association hosts a reception tomorrow for delegations of 11 Western states, including Washington. Northrup Grumman and other aerospace companies are holding a reception for two powerful members of Congress who hold the purse strings for defense spending.

Both Microsoft and Boeing are maintaining low profiles, preferring to keep their companies off official lists of what's happening around town. The Dunn reception was not listed in the calendar, and Microsoft spokeswoman Ginny Terzano declined to provide details on other events.

"I do not disclose our sponsorships, but our involvement is minimal," she said.

Terzano said Microsoft donated about $1 million of software to the GOP convention, roughly the same amount it donated to the Democratic National Convention last month.

Boeing does not have a listing in the official guide, but a company spokesman said it was contributing with other aerospace companies to a party for members of Congress who have supported space programs.

Corporate logos are a rare sight in Madison Square Garden, where the convention is taking place. But a small sign outside the hospitality suite for House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., resembled the side of a NASCAR race car. Stickers for eight companies and organizations touted sponsorship of the skybox, including Microsoft and the Newspaper Association of America.

Alex Fryer: 206-464-8124 or afryer@seattletimes.com

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

E-mail this article

Print this article

Search archive

More local news headlines...