The nominating convention is the institutionalized mechanism through which political parties in the United States formally nominate candidates for president and vice president during each presidential election cycle. Once primarily instrumental in function, contemporary nominating conventions are predominantly media events serving symbolic and communicative functions. They provide the transition between the primary campaign and the general election. Nominating conventions legitimize the democratic electoral process and the party's candidates, demonstrate party unity, rally party workers, and establish the key issues and positions for the general election campaign.