On January 7, 2022, a spokesperson for the Republican National Committee disclosed that four potential cities were vying to host the 2024 convention: Milwaukee, Nashville, Pittsburgh, and Salt Lake City. Milwaukee had previously been designated the host city for the 2020 Democratic National Convention, which was predominantly conducted virtually with Milwaukee serving merely as the production headquarters due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Both Milwaukee and Pittsburgh are situated in pivotal swing states, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania respectively, that have significantly influenced recent Electoral College outcomes. In contrast, Nashville and Salt Lake City, while located in traditionally Republican-leaning states, are Democratic bastions within their state boundaries.
From 2008 through the 2020 election cycle, both major parties have opted to hold their conventions in swing states. Houston initially expressed interest in bidding but ultimately declined due to scheduling conflicts with other events. Other cities, including Columbus, Las Vegas, San Antonio, and the state of Georgia, exhibited interest but did not submit formal bids. Kansas City, Missouri, had formally entered the bidding process but withdrew in late December 2021.
By February 4, 2022, Pittsburgh’s bid had been dismissed from further consideration. In early March 2022, Salt Lake City was also eliminated, leaving Milwaukee and Nashville as the final contenders. Subsequently, Nashville’s bid was effectively nullified when the Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County voted against a draft hosting agreement.
On July 15, 2022, a site selection committee unanimously recommended Milwaukee as the host city over Nashville. The Republican National Committee officially selected Milwaukee during its early August 2022 meeting in Chicago. Milwaukee thus became the first city to host major party conventions in consecutive elections since New York City did so in 1976 and 1980 for the Democratic National Conventions. However, the 2024 convention marks Milwaukee’s inaugural occasion hosting an in-person presidential nominating convention, as the 2020 event was conducted virtually.
The Republican National Committee announced on December 21, 2022, that the convention dates will be July 15-18, 2024. The event is expected to attract approximately 50,000 visitors to Milwaukee and generate up to $200 million in regional revenue. Compared to other metropolitan areas that have recently hosted major party conventions, Milwaukee is notably smaller in population.
Chicago was chosen to host the 2024 Democratic National Convention, located about 90 miles from Milwaukee along Lake Michigan’s coast. This proximity is highly unusual for different cities hosting major party conventions in the same year, a scenario not seen since 1972.
Working alongside the host committee, the Republican National Committee’s Committee on Arrangements appointed Anne Hathaway as chairwoman and Ron Kaufman as general chairman on March 24, 2023. Elise Dickens was named chief executive officer on June 1, 2023. Additional committee members, including KC Crosbie as treasurer, Vicki Drummond as secretary, and David Bossie as co-chair, were announced on June 29, 2023.
Milwaukee’s hotel capacity is relatively modest, leading to plans for housing convention delegates in accommodations within a 60-mile radius. This contrasts with the 2020 Democratic National Convention’s original plans, which anticipated accommodating guests as far away as Illinois and Madison, Wisconsin. To manage accommodations for the 2024 Republican Convention, the host committee is collaborating with a Chicago-based firm to secure rooms across more than 300 hotels and motels. Dormitories at Milwaukee-area universities and colleges are also expected to host some convention guests and volunteers, with Marquette University adjusting its academic calendar to facilitate this arrangement.
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