Final preparations are underway for the Republican National Convention next week in Saint Paul.

More than 45,000 people are expected to attend events during the convention's 4 day run.

LeAnn Wallace takes us behind the Xcel Energy Center's doors, for an up-close look at the venue's transformation.

It's been 116 years since Minnesota has hosted the Republican National Convention.

In 1892, Minneapolis hosted the 10th ever RNC, which nominated President Benjamin Harrison for re-election.

Now, in it's 39th's year, the Twin Cities plays host again as the location where senator John McCain will accept the party's nomination.

A lot has changed since 1982...10,000 people attended the convention
back then... in comparison to the 45,000 delegates, alternate delegates, and other guests expected this year.

"I'm especially looking forward to hearing the speakers of course. And just as far as just, pulling our support behind John McCain, our nominee. It should be a wonderful event."

"It takes 5 to 6 hundred people a little over one month to transform the
Xcel Energy Center into the site of this year's Republican National Convention."

But the planning process takes a lot longer. Convention Organizers say
it's a good feeling to watch it all come together.

"It's truly been a great process.. again like I said, an 18 month process and we're really seeing it shape up and come all together..."
Organizers are also happy to say the transformation is ahead of schedule.

They say it helps that the venue is only 8-years old.

"We're wrapping up, we're in the final week, really all we have left is chairs and carpeting and we'll be opening up the doors September 1st."
An additional 10,000 volunteers will be on-hand throughout the Twin Cities next week helping out at the numerous RNC events.

In Saint Paul, LeAnn Wallace, the Northlands News Center.

Roughly 1,600 rooms in more than one hundred hotels have been slated to host attendees.

The Twin Cities are projected to see an estimated 160 million dollars in economic growth from the convention.