Zwick would not give a ballpark figure for how much the telethon cost but said that it costs money to raise money. The callers paid their own way to Boston. Romney highlighted the "innovation" of the event, combing the power of the Internet with the personal touch of people asking friends to support him.

Monday's event focused on fund-raising but also looked and sounded like a presidential campaign event — including a constant reference to Romney's problem-solving history.

"I think he has proven he is credible," said Thomas Tellefsen, a co-chairman of Romney's financial board. Tellefsen was a top fund-raiser for President George W. Bush. "We are trying to give him the resources to deliver the message on who he is."

Before Romney even entered the room, the volunteer callers saw a slick, motivational video showing various elements of Romney's political life — including shots of him with President George Bush at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, various interviews with different public officials and the potential presidential candidate himself talking about his career.

The video highlighted how the Olympics were in "terrible shape" when Romney took over and the challenge of still holding the games so soon after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. It also described how Romney is "wicked smart" — to use the Boston vernacular — and how he balanced the Massachusetts budget and helped everyone in the state to get health care coverage without raising taxes.

"What an extraordinary gathering this is," Romney said, after a grand entrance into the ballroom turned fund-raising war room with his wife, Ann. Some of Romney's children joined their parents in the middle of 40 workstations of laptops and phones under a huge four-sided JumboTron screen.

"I want to see a new American dream," Romney said, adding that this is now more than just a house in the suburbs. His new dream includes strong families, great schools, health care coverage and a safe and prosperous country.

"A new American dream is what we are going to have to build together," Romney said. "I have all the confidence in the world that we are going to be remarkably successful in doing just that."

Romney started the fund raising by calling his older sister, Lynn Romney Keenan, in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., to illustrate exactly what the other people in the room were doing.

"This is an exciting day, isn't it?" Keenan yelled into the phone, broadcast throughout the room for the media and other callers to hear. She said she was sitting at home thinking about her brother's leadership, his energy and his "spark" as she waited for his call.

Keenan enthusiastically pledged $2,100 to the committee, the legal limit allowed for an individual to contribute at this stage in the election cycle. Money raised for the exploratory committee can be rolled over into his presidential war chest if Romney formally declares his candidacy.