The Democratic National Convention Committee and the Chicago 2024 Host Committee announced Thursday they have awarded their first contract for the presidential nominating event, choosing a firm led by two former state and city officials to be the in-house expert on design, construction and event contracting.

Selected was K + P Advisory LLC, headed by Ayse Kalaycioglu and Anthony Pascente, who were most recently part of Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration and played major roles in the sale of the James R. Thompson Center and the acquisition of replacement state office property.

The firm, a certified woman-owned business enterprise, was launched in January. Kalaycioglu, the firm’s president and CEO, previously spent three years as the chief operating officer of the state Department of Central Management Services, the state government’s procurement and building management agency. Before that she was deputy city commissioner at the Department of Fleet and Facility Management.

Pascente, the firm’s executive vice president and chief strategy officer, is a former state CMS director and chief of staff under Pritzker who previously was deputy city chief operating officer in Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s administration. There he oversaw capital projects, emergency management and communications, cultural affairs and special events.

“K + P Advisory brings a wealth of experience to our convention team,” said Alex Hornbrook, executive director of the Democratic National Convention Committee. “They have a well-documented history of consistently delivering successful projects on time and within budget and we look forward to getting started.”

Christy George, the host committee’s executive director, said the firm has “significant experience” with developing and executing “impactful engagement strategies with the minority business community.

“The firm’s work is to be assisted by a Chicago-based team that includes construction management firm SQN Associates and public affairs firm Rodriguez Media Communications, both certified minority and woman owned businesses, and construction consultant The Concord Group, a small business enterprise.

Officials said K + P Advisory was selected not only for its experience involving large-scale projects but also for incorporating a paid internship program to engage the West Side into the convention process.

Additional request for proposals for event architect, event management and other services are expected within the next few weeks, officials said.

The Democratic National Convention is set for Aug. 19-22 with the United Center as the main event venue and McCormick Place as a location for other activities.

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