Of the event spanning several days, which is expect it to be scaled back due to the coronavirus pandemic. We spoke with one of the Convention Planners to find out what to expect. Stephanie, at what point during the pandemic did you realize you were switching from a more normal convention to one that would be more virtual . We were hopeful as the pandemic was unfolding in the early months of this year, moving our dates back by a month, we were hoping we could still hold a physical convention where delegates could come to milwaukee and we could conduct Party Business but also produce a traditional convention. Pretty soon after that as the lockdown continued, it was clear that wasnt going to happen so we started planning for a convention that is fairly unconventional compared to years past but it has taken a while to figure out exactly what it will be and how we handle ensuring delegates can feel like they can participate and all americans, because the benefits there are lots of downsides, we are not physically together but the upside is more americans can participate. You dont need a credential to participate in the convention. But clearly these are , uncharted waters. No party has ever gone through something quite like this. Never, but weve been looking at lots of other programming over the past many months where people cant travel to do interviews or the global citizens concert that aired or the nfl draft, or the graduation ceremonies. Weve been looking at how people have been predicting these and studying how best to produce content. It is basically a tv show so how do we keep keep people engaged . How do we pull people in and communicate with people wherever they are on the platforms they prefer . I feel like we are in a good place and almost ready to roll. I realize it is a work in progress, but based on what you know two weeks before the convention gets underway, how will each night unfold . It is a work in progress, steve and a lot is still coming together, but it will be four nights, 9 00 p. M. To 11 00 p. M. Each night and weve had some surprises in store and what ill say is since the format is unconventional, we are throwing out the rules of how conventions are programmed and doing some unconventional things so without revealing too much, i encourage everyone to tune in. Youll see some familiar faces. President obama, michelle obama. Obviously Vice President biden and dr. Biden and some unfamiliar faces. We are looking forward to it and think it represents the diversity of america, the strength of america, and how we can pull this country together to move it forward. Weve all become accustomed to zoom and google hangouts, but how do you prepare technically for this and what kind of backups do you have to make sure it goes smoothly . It is a mix of live segments as well as prerecorded segments and some video production. For the live segments, some of our biggest newsmakers, we want to make sure they are live and unedited so our Production Team is working hard. Weve got when we say this is a Virtual Convention, it is not technically a total Virtual Convention because there is life programming, and youve got backup plans in place in case something should happen and it will be a program that moves quickly and it is very engaging. What has been your biggest challenge, you personally . Getting people to make the transition to i guess it is a nonphysical convention, it is totally online and on air, and how to get people engaged in it. I think weve figured it out and there will be elements where people who dont normally participate in these conventions will be able to engage. There will be activities all over the country happening at the same time. It is a mix of organizing, virtual content, and a mix of creativity. My biggest challenge was really getting everyone to make that transition and thinking alike on it. It has been a great process, great team. What was your First NationalParty Convention . Do you remember the moment . I dont want to date myself, steve. 1988. I was an intern my freshman year of college for michael dukakis. I asked because i wonder if this is going to change conventions moving forward in 2024 or 2028. I think everyone would agree the conventions needed to be modernized. In history, we are about delegates coming to vote on nominees. There was an element of suspense on it. Trading votes, and out would come a nominee from the convention, it is largely a foregone conclusion now. There was a little suspense in 2016 of how that would go, but a lot of important things need to be said. I think it would be wise for conventions to rethink what the purpose of them are. How you communicate with the American People is really important and sitting on a stage with a room full of people is one way, but another way is to go where people are and communicate conventions are really expensive, and there might be a better way to spend those dollars. Cspan will have live coverage of all the proceedings, the final night, right now, its intended for the Vice President to accept his nomination in from your standpoint right now, what is that going to look like . Right now, its intended for the Vice President to accept his nomination in milwaukee. And thats where the anchor of the the program will be. And, you know, it will be a great night. You know, one thing that its clear that people are looking to know more about joe biden and his life story, his record and who he is. And they will come away from this convention knowing that. Joining use cutter via zoom here in washington. Thank you for your time. Cspan has unfiltered coverage of congress, the white house, the supreme court, and Public Policy events. You can watch all of cspans Public Affairs programming on television, online, or listen on our free radio app, and be part of the National Conversation through cspan staley washington journal program, or to our social media feeds. Cspan, created by americas table Television Companies as a public service, and brought to you today by your television provider. This week, two hearings before the senate. On wednesday at 10 00 eastern, sally gaetz, the former acting attorney general at the start of the Trump Administration testifies on the russia investigation before the judiciary committee. Thursday, chad wolf, acting secretary for the u. S. Department of Homeland Security will testify on the apartments deployment of personnel to protests and unrest across the country. Watch live on cspan, online at cspan. Org, or listen live on the free cspan radio app. Members of the spacex crew took questions after nearly two months aboard the u. S. Space station. They returned to earth, splashing down in the waters of the gulf of mexico on sunday. Good afternoon and thank you for joining us at the Johnson Space center for the splashdown news conference. Just two days ago doug hurley , and Operations Commander splashed down in the gulf of mexico after 64 days in space. After 64 days in space. In space. Completing the first crewed