May 8th Live Broadcast Support Grows

On May 8th, Durham's CCB Plaza will be the backdrop for the live broadcast of NBC-17's Today Show.  From 4:30 AM to 7 AM, in advance of the national broadcast of the nation's most popular morning news show, NBC-17 will host their morning show with guests and stories about Durham so that viewers can get to know the place a little better.

"This is really very exciting for us," said Sam Poley, Director of Marketing and Communications for the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau, the organization charged with marketing Durham as a place to visit.  "We get to show off how great Durham is to a whole lot of people and we really hope the community will come out an join us on the plaza," he added.  Poley hopes for a lively Durham crowd to be on hand.

In an effort to overcome objections to the hour, local businesses are stepping up to help draw folks out and to show their support for Durham.

Durham art gallery Outsiders Art & Collectibles has teamed up with Durham artist Dave Alsobrooks to give away a painting to a lucky member of the crowd. One of the pieces from the New Neighbors series that has been hanging in the Durham Convention Center will be given to a randomly chosen person there.  The works sell for between $800 and $1,300 and the subjects of the series are Durham people.  According to Pam Gutlon, owner of Outsiders, "We think this is a really great way to show how much we support efforts to promote Durham - it's a great place for artists and those who appreciate the arts."

Tickets will be distributed to the crowd, and at some point between 4:30 AM and 7 AM the painting will be given away.  Other items, including restaurant gift certificates, will be distributed at random throughout the morning, as well.  "Folks need to be present to win," Poley added.

Monuts Donuts has announced that they will be out for this event, as well - and they're giving away their first 100 donuts for free.  If free donuts are not the motivating factor, others will be on hand, too.  So far, joining Monuts will be Only Burger, Rise (a new operator), Pie Pushers, and Blue Coffee will be open, too, serving their hearty brew from 4:30 AM to 6:30 AM until their regular hours begin.

More Mobile Vendors Sign On for May 8th Gathering

Being out of bed at 4:30 in the morning is something of an affront to most.  It's still dark out here in Durham, NC at that hour, no matter the time of year.  But out of bed many will be, and out of the house interacting and transacting business - and doing it live on TV.

Well, they might wind up on TV - there will be plenty of TV cameras around for the broadcast of NBC-17's Today Show which begins live on the CCB Plaza at the aforementioned 4:30 AM.

"This is an opportunity for Durham to show off its pride to a massive amount of people," said Sam Poley, Director of Marketing and Communications at the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau, referring to the 23 county area to which the broadcast will go.

Durham has enjoyed a steady influx of new businesses, residents and visitors for the past several years.  "We're hoping folks in Durham will come down to the plaza to help us make some noise and get viewers excited about visiting Durham," Poley added.

In an effort to help motivate people to show their support, the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau is working to muster support from stakeholders in Durham, too.  So far, Only Burger has signed on to be there, as has Pie Pushers.  The two are favorites on the mobile food scene in Durham, which has a nationally recognized mobile food community and over 40 trucks in operation there, and an internationally known restaurant and chef spot.

Blue Coffee, a shop across the street from the CCB Plaza, will also be open selling coffee until their normal operating hours begin at 6:30, at which time their full menu will be available.

In addition, a new offering by an old favorite in Durham will be debuted.  "It's really just a test to see if people like it," said Durham Catering Company owner Tom Ferguson of his new biscuits and donuts.  He's looking to get real estate in Downtown Durham for Rise Biscuits and Donuts.  Details will be forthcoming about the operation on their Facebook page.  Ferguson, who started Only Burger with another partner before selling to the current owner, will be serving off the Only Burger truck.

Beyond ensuring that the crowd that does show up can get great food, a few other enticements are apparently in the works, according to Poley.  "We'll be giving a few things away at points during the morning," he said. "We've also got a few things we're working on that will make this a truly memorable event for those that show." He would not provide further detail.

Those interested can arrive on the CCB Plaza starting at 4 AM.  Crews will be on site beginning at midnight.