On Saturday, 6,000 Democratic activists will meet in Worcester for the state convention to endorse a candidate for governor.

Just how important is that endorsement to the outcome of the race?

The last time there was an open convention without any incumbent running for governor, it was in 2006.
 
A little known candidate named Deval Patrick swept the caucuses in February and won his party’s endorsement at the state convention in June.
 
Mark Snyder , a delegate from sandwich, was there. Deval Patrick made a speech that was just incredible.  The crowd had an electric charge.
 
Patrick won over the crowd by calling for hope and change.

"I came here to change politics as usual.  Because what’s missing from politics as usual is hope," Patrick told the crowd.
 
This year, with Patrick not running for re-election, the race in both parties is wide open. So since announcing their candidacy, the candidates seeking to succeed Patrick have been working on securing delegates to their conventions, meeting them at dozens of events all over the state.  And making hundreds of phone calls.
 
Treasurer and Democratic Candidate for Governor Steve Grossman said in a debate this week that he was working the phones:

"I spent six hours on the phone on Sunday. We’re not taking anything for granted," he said.
 
Attorney General and candidate Martha Coakley who is leading by the double digits in opinion polls but lagging  behind Grossman in the delegate count, said she’s not focused on winning big at the convention:
 
"What really counts is what happens on primary day in September," she said.
 
A convention endorsement, months before anyone casts a ballot, doesn't guarantee the candidate will be the nominee or even the eventual winner. For example, Frank Belotti won the Democratic Convention in 1990, but John Silber won the nomination.

But this year, as in most, it signals momentum, and momentum leads to financial donations, media coverage and presumably a victory.
 
Jim Spenser is a political strategist who’s not affiliated with any campaign:

"If Steve Grossman beats Martha Coakley, then it’s a story. Steve Grossman’s on a roll.  He has the insiders of the party for him."
 
A convention endorsement also sends a strong message to those who don't win the endorsement: step it up, or drop out of the race