The Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee is enlisting the aid of local businesses in telling the city’s story as it prepares for next summer’s Democratic National Convention.
“If Tom Perez, our national party chairman, wanted to pick a city that was the most logistically convenient and expedient to host a convention, he probably would not have come to Milwaukee,” said Liz Gilbert, president of the committee. “He chose Milwaukee, because of the story that there is to tell here, and the impact that this event can have on the people of this community and this state.”
She addressed members of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce on Friday to answer questions, address concerns and provide a rough timeline ahead of DNC 2020, which takes place July 13-16.
“There will be 50,000 visitors here next year, and with Milwaukee certainly up to the challenge in a way that I actually don’t think I’ve seen a city come at this before,” she said.
MMAC Senior Vice President of Governmental Affairs Steve Baas noted Gilbert has previously organized several Democratic National Conventions and also worked for the New Jersey Democratic State Committee.
“This is not her first rodeo; she’s one of the top pros in the business,” Baas said.
In her comments, Gilbert called the host committee “a $70 million startup organization.”
“We are a small business; we are a new business in town,” she said. “We had to recruit talent, we had to house them, provide health care — we’re doing everything that you know about very well, so we are your partners in this business community.”
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