CHARLOTTE -- Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx says the celebration of the city winning the bid for the Democratic National Convention is over. Now, the hard work begins. The city has exactly 18 months to prepare for the event.

Foxx said working backwards will give them the best chance at success. "I'm a big believer in beginning with the end in mind," he said. "So I look at, you know, 18 months from now what will be the best shinning success for our city and then working backwards into a plan to get there."

Foxx also praised the work of former Charlotte Mayor Harvey Gantt, who is looking at previous convention plans in other cities and helping Charlotte officials adapt their plans.