CMI prepares C-Span Bus for campaign tour

Grove City – The 2008 presidential race, sure to be a nail biter, is already heating up. It’s a long and difficult road to the White House, and C-SPAN, a cable television network, is going to be right there, literally, to cover the journey of the candidates in its newly converted 2008 Campaign bus. The coach converted by Grove City based Creative Mobile Interiors (CMI), will cross the country educating and informing the American people on the election process.

The 45-foot mobile production studio, revamped from the network's award-winning School Bus also converted by CMI, sports a full red, white and blue graphic wrap with the C-SPAN logo and 2008 campaign-themed artwork. The MCI DL3 houses a multitude of electronic equipment, such as DVD players, audio/video receivers, switchers and digital editing equipment.

The coach enhances C-SPAN's extensive political coverage by traveling to major political events in battleground states, touring state capitols, and visiting middle and high school classrooms around the nation. The staff will meet with political leaders, journalists, candidates and voters on the campaign trail.

The front engineering area is separated from a back on-air interviewing room by 3 ¾ inch acrylic sliding doors. The very rear of bus contains a galley area with a microwave and refrigerator, a restroom and a make-up area for on-air talent. A 50-inch plasma television faces outside to draw attention, and can broadcast what is featured on the C-Span network.

The center of the front lounge is dominated by two large plasma televisions and a red star-adorned sofa lounge. For durability, the bus features Wedge Wood vinyl flooring and Corian countertops. When visitors come aboard for tours the monitors will show interactive TV programming.

CMI was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in four plants totaling 21,000 square feet. The company specializes in converting motor coaches, Sprinter vans, trailers and mini-coaches into luxury, commercial and specialty vehicles outfitted with custom top-of-the-line amenities and electronics. CMI can be reached at (6`4) 539-4600, or at www.creativemobileinteriors.com. More information about the C-SPAN’s Campaign 2008 TV Bus is available at www.c-span.org.