Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today appointed Dr. Harvey W. Schiller, a well-known executive who has held a number top posts in media, professional sports and financial services, as New York City Host Committee President for the 2004 Republican National Convention.  As President, Schiller will work closely with the Republican National Committee’s (RNC) Committee On Arrangements (COA) and manage all preparations for the City’s role as host to the 2004 Republican National Convention, including welcoming receptions, hospitality, transportation, security, and other activities designed to promote the 2004 Republican National Convention and showcase New York City’s rich cultural diversity to the rest of the nation and the world.  

“A national convention is so much more than just what happens inside the convention center, and Harvey Schiller is the right choice to make sure that the delegates and visitors have an unforgettable convention experience,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “As President of the NYC Host Committee, Harvey Schiller will work closely with William D. Harris, Chief Executive Officer of the 2004 Republican National Convention to design a series of events that will showcase New York City.  I look forward to seeing some truly spectacular ideas and events come from the New York City Host Committee, and I know that Harvey Schiller is just the person to help New York plan for a memorable and successful convention in 2004.”

“We have assembled a team – New York City Host Committee President Harvey Schiller, Chairman Rudy Giuliani, Co-chair Lew Eisenberg, and Chief Executive Officer of the 2004 Republican National Convention, Bill Harris – that illustrates the seriousness of our efforts to host a spectacular Convention in 2004,” said Governor George E. Pataki. “Mayor Bloomberg and I are thrilled that Harvey Schiller has joined us in our efforts. Working together, we will prove once again that New York is indeed the ‘Capital of the World’.”

Dr. Schiller, who will volunteer his services for the cenvention, is Chairman of Assante U.S., a leading provider of integrated financial solutions for wealth, career and business concerns.  He recently served as Chairman and CEO of YankeeNets, an integrated sports-based media company with ownership of the New York Yankees, New Jersey Nets, and New Jersey Devils.  Until December 1999, Dr. Schiller served as Vice President of Sports Programming for Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS); President of Turner Sports, Inc., a division of Time Warner; and President/Governor of the NHL expansion franchise, Atlanta Thrashers. Before joining Turner in 1994, Schiller was Executive Director/Secretary General of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) for four years. Schiller served as a pilot in the United States Air Force (USAF) from 1962 to 1986 including combat service in Vietnam attaining the rank of Colonel.  In 1980, the President of the United States appointed Schiller as a Permanent Professor at the U.S. Air Force Academy.  He is a recipient of several military awards including the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Air Medals. Dr. Schiller earned his BA from The Citadel, and his MA and PhD from the University of Michigan. Dr. Schiller and his wife, Marcia, reside in Manhattan.

“It is a tremendous honor to be entrusted with this responsibility, and I pledge to do everything I can to ensure the convention is a complete success for the Republican Party and our city as well,” said Dr. Schiller.  “I feel confident with the leadership of Mayor Bloomberg, Governor Pataki, as well as Rudy Giuliani, Bill Harris and Lew Eisenberg, we will put together a program of events and an operation that will showcase our great City and make for a memorable convention for our many guests and delegates.”

“Harvey Schiller’s proven leadership will be invaluable to our team and I look forwarding to an exciting year leading up to the 2004 Convention,” said NYC Host Committee Co-chair Lew Eisenberg.

“The appointment of someone of Harvey Schiller’s stature symbolizes the commitment of the New York City Host Committee to the success of the 2004 Convention,” said Republican National Convention CEO Bill Harris.

The NYC Host Committee will execute plans to ensure that all who attend the 2004 Convention have an unforgettable convention experience, and that those events showcase the rich and varied fabric of New York City, not just the area surrounding Madison Square Garden. For example, “Restaurant Week,” which began during the last convention in1992 as a $19.92 hospitality initiative to welcome delegates, has grown into one of New York City’s greatest culinary traditions. Today, the event includes approximately 200 of the City’s top eateries serving three-course, prix fixe lunch menus, priced according to the year. The event continues to stimulate the New York City economy and fill seats during typically slow weeks for the restaurant industry, and showcase New York City’s vibrant and varied cuisine.

The 2004 Republican National Convention is the first time the City’s history that New York City will serve as Republican National Convention host. The Convention will take place August 30th - September 2nd, 2004 in Madison Square Garden and nearly 50,000 people are expected to attend including over 15,000 members of the media. New York City secured the convention through a number of innovative measures including submitting the only bid to the RNC that was entirely privately financed and with no publicly appropriated funds.