Swanky festivities and lots of jerseys await DNC officials

As the 2016 Democratic National Convention site selection committee tours New York City today and tomorrow, Philadelphia operatives are putting final touches to their plan to woo the committee later this week.

The 18 Democratic National Committee representatives will have their own Sixers, Eagles, Phillies and Union jerseys with each of their last names printed on the back, according to Kevin Washo, lead strategist for host committee. The Sixers jerseys will have the number 16 on the back for 2016.

Also included in the swag bags will be custom-made Duke & Winston t-shirts with the DNC PHL logo on them.

But the jerseys and tees will probably stay tucked away in their suitcases since most of the events held for the crew will have a little nicer of a dress code.

"Summer stylish attire" states the invitation to the Wednesday rooftop soiree party at the Stratus lounge at Hotel Monaco. The committee and other invited guests will enjoy cocktails and desserts at Stratus as they mingle with city politicians leading the effort to get the DNC to choose Philadelphia for its 2016 convention.

Philadelphia is one of five cities left in the running to host the 2016 Democratic National Convention. Aside from New York, Philly faces competition from Phoenix, Birmingham, Ala. And Columbus, Ohio.  (The Republican National Committee recently settled on Cleveland, Ohio.)

The team of DNC officials, with expertise in transportation, security, and other logistics, will arrive Wednesday morning to the Radisson Blu Warwick, where they will check in and then be whisked away to Pat's King of Steaks for cheesesteaks.

The tour will continue south to Wells Fargo Center, where officials will check out the site that the city is proposing be where the convention be held. They will also check out XFINITY Live.

The rest of the day will consist of touring the Convention Center, Reading Terminal Market and Independence Hall.

After their swanky night at Stratus Rooftop Lounge, the committee officials will have breakfast Thursday at the Comcast Center.

The group will visit the Constitution Center, the Barnes Foundation, the Art Museum steps and Rocky statue.

The nonprofit established to promote the event, Philadelphia 2016, plans to spend $900,000 between now and November in support of the city's bid. The committee, led by former mayor and governor Edward G. Rendell, has raised about $100,000, he said.

If the city wins, backers would need to raise upward of $50 million to cover costs of hosting the event.

Meanwhile, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio was tweeting out pictures Monday of the DNC committee's arrival to New York — a red carpet rolled out in front of Penn Station with a crows of people holding "DNC 2016 NYC" signs.

Mayor Nutter was in New York Monday attending the United States Conference of Mayors Cities of Opportunity Task Force Summit. But there was no checking out the DNC competition, according to city spokesman Mark McDonald.

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