MYRTLE BEACH — The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce will set up a hospitality venue for media covering next month’s Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., in the hopes of drawing attention to business and tourism along the Grand Strand.

Brad Dean, president of the chamber of commerce, did not respond to questions about the event. Instead, Dean forwarded questions from The Sun News to a lawyer who represents the chamber. That lawyer prepared a written statement about the event and e-mailed that statement to the newspaper’s publisher, who then forwarded it to the newsroom.

“The purpose of this event is to attract media attention from national and international media attending the Democratic National Convention,” chamber lawyer David Slough said in the statement. “This effort is similar in concept and scope to other past chamber events that attract attendees from national and international media including, but not limited to, presidential debates and events held at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Neither Dean nor Slough would specifically say whether public money will be used for the event.

“This event qualifies for several funding sources and will be reported in accordance with state and local guidelines,” Slough said in the statement.

Slough said in the statement that the chamber is not hosting a similar event for the Republican National Convention, to be held next week in Tampa, Fla.

The chamber and the Black Congressional Caucus will use the lower level of the BlackFinn American Saloon at Charlotte’s EpiCentre entertainment complex for hospitality venues, according to an EpiCentre news release. BlackFinn is described as “a classic saloon environment” and is one of a number of EpiCentre sites hosting convention-related events.

Reporters will be invited to the chamber’s BlackFinn location to schedule interviews and post stories from the space, according to the news release. In addition, a large sand sculpture of President Barack Obama will be constructed outside of the restaurant..

The Democratic National Convention begins Sept. 4.

Contact DAVID WREN at 626-0281.