Democratic National Committee selects Milwaukee as finalist to host 2020 Convention

The Milwaukee 2020 DNC Convention committee formally submitted its bid for the city of Milwaukee to host the 2020 Democratic National Convention on July 18 and was named as a finalist less than two days later.

The DNC convention will be held in 2020 from July 13 to 16. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) named four finalists for the location of the 2020 Convention: Milwaukee, Denver, Houston and Miami Beach. Immediately after the DNC’s announcement, Denver withdrew their bid due to scheduling conflicts. In a statement reacting to the selection, lex Lasry, Chairman of the Milwaukee 2020 DNC Convention Bid Committee wrote:

“Milwaukee is very excited to be chosen as a finalist for the Democratic National Convention in 2020. Milwaukee has everything the DNC needs to put on a great convention: a brand-new arena, co-located convention space, and plenty of hotel rooms. Milwaukee knows how to handle big events and we know how to put on a great party. There is no place that will be more affordable for delegates and has better weather in July than Milwaukee.”

After learning of the final selection, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett wrote:

“I am pleased to hear Milwaukee is being considered as one of three finalists for the 2020 Democratic National Convention. Our city is welcoming, affordable, and accessible. The DNC would have a significant economic impact on our city, and I look forward to going through the next stages of the selection process. We have put together a compelling proposal and think we have a good chance at being selected as the host city.”

In a letter of support also included in the bid, Congresswoman Gwen Moore wrote:

“From our booming downtown, to our incredible diversity, to our beautiful beaches, to our wonderful restaurants, to our unbeatable hospitality, Milwaukee is the perfect place for the Democratic Party to host our Convention. Milwaukee is the perfect place to host a Convention in July and August. With our temperate weather and great sunshine, there is no other place in America that will be more welcoming and more enjoyable for convention attendees. Our hospitality is unmatched, as is our ability to put on large events. Milwaukee knows how to put on a party and how to make sure every guest is welcomed and well cared for in a safe, yet engaging environment.”

National party conventions are among the largest events that happen in the United States every four years. While the event is only four days long, the work to put on the convention takes years of planning and hundreds of workers, volunteers, and vendors. The exposure that a host city gets on both the national and international scene for the better part of a week is invaluable for exposing the region to the world.

Bidding for a national convention is a rigorous process designed to ensure host cities have the infrastructure and capacity to accommodate this large of an event. Since Milwaukee announced its intention to bid in February, intense work has been ongoing behind the scenes to gather information and prepare the 149-page submission.

The DNC has previously announced that Milwaukee was one of eight cities invited to submit proposals. So far, Houston and Milwaukee have publicly announced that they have submitted their proposals by the DNC’s deadline. There is no word yet on the remaining six cities.

As a finalist city, the DNC Site Selection Committee will make site visits later this summer, and announce the selection of the host city is in Winter 2018 / Spring 2019.