Learn how the Convention roll call works and watch as Barack Obama becomes the official nominee for president:

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Over the last few years, Barack Obama has joined with Americans in every state in this country in a positive campaign for change. The stories of the people he has met throughout this long campaign have inspired Barack Obama and helped to shape the policies he will promote as President. The speakers selected to be part of Monday's program came from across the nation, but they were all brought together through their personal stories, which address real life challenges. Monday night's program included:

Margie Perez (Watch the video)

Margie Perez, 43, has been a singer and songwriter for more than 15 years. Originally from Washington, DC, Margie moved to New Orleans in 2004 to pursue her music career. After her home was destroyed during Hurricane Katrina, Margie moved into a Habitat for Humanity home in the Musician's Village of New Orleans. Before his presidential campaign had begun, she met Senator Obama there as he toured the Village. She recalls how compassionate he was as he listened to survivors' stories and shared his thoughts about how best to move forward with relief and rebuilding efforts. Margie knows Senator Obama grasped the harrowing situation she and the other survivors had been through, and is convinced that Barack Obama will be a president that helps all Americans.

Mike and Cheryl Fischer (Watch the video)

Mike Fisher is an Amtrak technician and a member of the International Association of Machinists (IAM). His wife Cheryl is a technician at St. Francis Hospital in Beech Grove, IN. After years of working hard to provide for their three children, the Fishers are facing the possibility of Mike being laid off from his job. In April, the Fishers hosted Barack and Michelle Obama in their home for lunch. Mike was particularly touched when Senator Obama told him he wanted to talk to him about his family's problems and concerns, not the presidential campaign. Mike believes an Obama presidency would advocate for hard-working Americans through promoting enhanced job security and strong family values. Mike and Cheryl have been married for 31 years and are the proud parents of three children -- Heather, 26, who is pursuing her Master's degree; Nick, 23, who works in security systems; and Abby Maddox, 19, who is expecting a child in October with her husband, soldier Nick Maddox.

Candi Schmieder (Watch this video)

Candi Schmieder, 39 years old, was born and raised in Southeast Iowa. She now resides in Marengo, Iowa, where she works part-time in the auto glass industry and serves on the Marengo City Council. Candi's long-held belief that politicians made politics more confusing and less helpful to average people was forever changed after she heard about Senator Barack Obama. The common sense ideas that Barack Obama put forward in The Audacity of Hope were very clear to Candi. He explained that bringing all kinds of people together to make real changes and improve lives without political games and bureaucracy was what really mattered. Candi was so inspired by Barack Obama's story that she signed up to be a precinct captain in Marengo during the Iowa primaries, a process that was completely new to her. For Candi, Barack Obama exemplified the belief that her voice mattered and that she could make things happen if she wanted. Her experience meeting and working for Barack Obama inspired her to go back to school to finish her bachelor's degree and pursue a newfound interest she now cares deeply about -- public service. Candi is married to Doug, and the two are the proud parents of daughter Riley, 11, and sons Jacob, 10, and Mitchell, 8.

From the podium to the floor to the hallways and beyond, we’ll be bringing you all of the behind the scenes action right here on the DemConvention blog. Make sure you also check out our live HD streaming video to watch the latest speakers and events going on in the Pepsi Center.

The Convention opened this morning with a great performance from the Colorado Children’s Chorale. I ran into the whole group of kids as we were passing through security this morning and they were so excited to be performing on stage at the Convention. They let me know how hard they had been practicing -- “so so so much” -- and it was a nice treat for the entire audience. 

Roaming throughout the arena today, we’ve met enthusiastic delegates and supporters – in some great outfits I might add (make sure to check out the photos.) We’ve heard from DNCC CEO Leah Daughtry, Governor Howard Dean, Nancy Pelosi, and Jesse Jackson, Jr. just finished addressing the audience.  If you missed any of the Convention program, just click here to visit our video player – we have clips ready to go from many of the Convention speakers.

Now for those photos…

With one hour until the 2008 Democratic National Convention officially kicks off, the Pepsi Center crowd is slowly but steadily growing. One face in the crowd earlier today was Michelle Obama. She stopped by for a walkthrough of the podium, touring the Pepsi Center and taking her first look at the Convention’s incredible stage.

Outside the Pepsi Center, people are wandering around the various media pavilions and grabbing lunch from the vendors. Inside, people are getting situated and exploring the seemingly endless hallways. We’ll be giving you a detailed look inside every corner of the Pepsi Center, but for now take a look at the current scene as the Convention nears:

Check out more photos from the first day of the Convention:

There's a lot more to the Convention than what's on the podium. Take a look at our behind-the-scenes video to see what's happening around the Pepsi Center:

Take a look at the first official photos of the Pepsi Center stage!

Making the rounds in the Pepsi Center to finalize some logistics yesterday, I was definitely not prepared for what I was about to see. Welcoming some new staff, we toured the concourses and visited some of the media workspaces. But the best was yet to come…

The unassigned filing center is really taking shape. It still resembles a practice basketball court, but there are a few major differences. The hardwood floor has been covered up to protect the surface, and the court is filled with tables and TVs to accommodate members of the media. Power sockets and Internet connections are also being put in place so the press can file their stories. Adjacent to the basketball court, the Blogger Lounge is coming together with it’s own supply of tables, couches, TVs, and connectivity.

We made a few other stops to get our new team acquainted with the space, but the real surprise came when we peeked inside the “bowl” of the Pepsi Center. Prepare to be amazed! Our production team has a lot of experience with big events -- and it shows. They’ve done it all, from the Grammy’s to Super Bowl halftime shows.

Pepsi Center activity is heating up as more and more workers are added to the roster to put together what will be an unforgettable week.  Everyone is hustling inside and outside -- at about every hour of the day -- to produce the final product that will be seen worldwide.

Trucks are unloading supplies at the Pepsi Center nonstop as they continue to deliver the materials needed to create the stage, podium, and other Convention structures. In the Pepsi Center, rigging, staging, lighting, and sound equipment cover the floor while cables, chains, lighting, and trussing hang from above.