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Swag Still Features in Democratic Convention

Despite COVID-19 forcing a scaled-down convention with far less attendees than normal, promotional products are playing a part in the event.

Amid COVID-19 disruption, the Democratic National Convention is going to look a lot different than normal in 2020, but promotional products will still feature in the event.

Democratic t-shirt

2020 Democratic National Convention Unisex T-shirt

Scheduled to begin Monday, Aug. 17 in Milwaukee, the Democratic convention is the first of the United States’ two major party conventions to occur in the 2020 election cycle. The Republican National Convention is to follow, beginning Aug. 21.

Through the Democratic convention, delegates are expected to nominate former Vice President Joe Biden to be the party’s official candidate for the U.S. presidency. Biden won’t be attending in person and delegates will be nominating virtually in an event that’s been drastically scaled down as a result of coronavirus health concerns.

Joe Biden

Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic candidate for president of the United States

Still, both donors and delegates are in line to receive branded merchandise commemorating the event.

The New York Times reported that Democratic donors who are not traveling to Milwaukee will receive swag bags in the mail that come with convention-themed pins, buttons and the formal credentials that they would have been given if they were at the event in person.

Similarly, Democratic organizers will also ship delegates choice merch. That haul of 2020 convention promo products will reportedly include a PepsiCo-branded insulated cup; a Peoples Energy Co. thermal lunch bag; an Ullico convention T-shirt and souvenir buttons and placards, according to the Chicago Sun Times.

You don’t have to be a donor or attendee, however, to obtain Democratic convention-branded swag. There’s an e-store on the DNC website that’s stocked with event-themed T-shirts, pins, buttons, tote bags and a mug. Prices range from $10 for a two-button set to $30 for items like the T-shirts.

Democratic bag

2020 Democratic Convention tote

Democratic buttons

D20 USA button set

Earlier this summer, the Republican party launched the official logo of its 2020 convention. As of this writing, the RNC website didn’t have an e-store for purchasing convention-themed merch.

Republican logo

The official logo of the 2020 Republican National Convention

Nonetheless, there’s no shortage of logoed promotional products for conservatives keen to show their support of President Donald Trump’s reelection in 2020. The president’s official online swag store is replete with 2020 merch, including T-shirts, polos, hooded sweatshirts, headwear, drinkware and more. The GOP Shop, a popular site for purchasing Republican-themed products, was also filled with Trump reelection gear.

Trump flag

This Trump-Pence 2020 flag was available on the president’s official campaign web store.

Trump bracelet

This Trump 2020 wristband was available from The GOP Shop.

While COVID-19 has profoundly altered the 2020 presidential campaign cycle, compelling the cancellation and scaling down of events, it’s clear that promotional products still have a part to play in the race for president. Read more on the power of political promos here.