The Philadelphia 2016 Host Committee for the Democratic National Convention launched its blog and online press room Thursday in the second phase of its website redesign. These additional components will provide an enhanced user experience for website visitors, enabling them to learn about Philadelphia from individuals who work, live and study here as well as act as a one-stop for Host Committee news. 

The purpose of the blog is to act as a source of information about different sectors of the city, providing readers with a taste of Philadelphia, including neighborhoods and highlights within each neighborhood; food and beverage; science; tech and innovation; history; arts and culture; fashion; outdoors and green spaces; and academia. 

The Host Committee’s online press room is home to all Host Committee press releases, available in downloadable form, and news clips going back to when Philadelphia won the bid to host the Convention.

“The Host Committee’s website is a resource of information and fun things to do in Philadelphia for both the 50,000 visitors coming here for the DNC as well as residents who will experience the excitement around town during Convention week,” Kevin Washo, executive director of the Philadelphia 2016 Host Committee, said in a press release. “The additional enhancements to our website will help us better communicate with the public and provide a taste of the Philadelphia experience, and we continue to be grateful to O3 World for its support and services throughout the redesign process.”

Blog posts will be written weekly by Host Committee staff and more than 20 local contributors who are knowledgeable in their fields and understand Philadelphia culture. Al DÍA’s own Swabreen Bakr will be one of the contributors.

Bakr is the host of Pour it Up on mynewphilly.com, a bi-weekly video news segment which highlights the best that Philly has to offer in cocktails, craft beer and coffee.

"Our city has been racking up accolades in the food and beverage scene, so providing an insider's guide is going to be a lot of fun," Bakr said. "The Host Committee has lined up some great contributors who really know the city in and out and we hope to give the folks visiting for the convention a guide to a great experience while they're here. I'm very excited to share what Philadelphia has to offer." 

The blog and press room were developed by O3 World, a Philadelphia-based digital product design and development agency, which also worked with the Host Committee on the first phase of the website upgrades last month.