Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson says hosting the 2024 Republican National Convention would help the state’s largest city attract more events and related spending.
The GOP Site Selection Committee reportedly voted Friday to recommend Milwaukee host the 2024 convention. The full Republican National Committee is expected to make the final decision later this summer during a meeting in Chicago.
“When we show how Milwaukee hosts a big, national political convention, we’re inviting other convention planners to take notice and to bring those activities — and importantly, those spending dollars — right here to the city of Milwaukee, right here to the state of Wisconsin,” Johnson said Friday during a news conference.
He noted the 2024 convention would support Milwaukee’s workers and hospitality businesses that were hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There are additional steps ahead before Milwaukee is formally named the convention host, but today’s announcement certainly bodes well for our chances,” he said.
Peggy Williams-Smith, president and CEO of Visit Milwaukee, says the convention will bring 45,000 attendees from around the country — “giving a much-needed boost to Milwaukee businesses who serve Democrats, Republicans and Independents alike.”
During Friday’s press conference, she said the long-term benefits of hosting the convention will give a major boost to the city’s travel and tourism industry. She added the city has plenty of hotel rooms available to support the influx of visitors, and efforts are underway to ensure Milwaukee is fully prepared to host the event.
“Our job is to make tourism an economic development engine that makes our city better today and in the future,” she said. “And while tourism’s recovery has certainly begun … we still have a long way to go before that recovery is complete.”
