CHARLOTTE -- Steve Kerrigan, the CEO of the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, gave a tour of their offices in uptown Thursday. The 17,000 square foot operations center is on the 13th floor of a South Tryon Street highrise.

The center includes several nods to local leaders, including former Mayor Protem Susan Burgess, who spearheaded Charlotte eventually being awarded the convention.

Convention leaders said the office also includes artwork from local and state artists to give it an authentic Queen City feel.

"So much of a part of Charlotte is this civic pride and public private partnerships that go on in this community each and every day," said Kerrigan. "So, we wanted to make sure this office to be representative."

Convention organizers plan to expand the uptown office to 50,000 square feet and two additional floors next year.

Thursday marks 308 days from the start of the event.