Novartis treats NC delegation

LAKE MINNETONKA, MINN — Novartis sponsored one of the swankiest events yet for the North Carolina delegation at lunch today. Delegates rode buses to Lake Minnetonka outside Minneapolis to dine at a local country club overlooking the blue waters. Some signed up for boat tours.

They were greeted with mimosas, Bloody Mary’s, wine and a buffet brunch that included eggs benedict, made-to-order waffles, pastries and fruit, Barb Barrett reports. A groaning dessert table included sweets emblazoned with cartoon elephants.

Although convention parties have been somewhat subdued this week because of Hurricane Gustav and new ethics rules governing elected officials, they still go on. They range from the delegation breakfasts and luncheons to elaborate, invitation-only affairs featuring the likes of former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee playing late into the night with his band.

Today, Novartis officials talked up the company’s new $600 million vaccine plant being built in Holly Springs. There were posters of the construction and artistic renderings of the final plant, which should start production in 2010.

"We thank you for hosting this lunch," said Sen. Richard Burr in his remarks. "But more importantly, we thank you for investing in North Carolina’s future in bricks and mortar and jobs created."