Republican convention will be game-changer for Milwaukee

This is a huge win for Milwaukee. Next year’s 2024 Republican National Convention is expected to bring in approximately $200 million and 45,000 people to our beautiful city in July.

It's honestly hard to say how big of a deal this is for Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin. It's like bringing four Super Bowls in a row to Milwaukee. When Cleveland hosted the convention in 2016, the MLB All-Star Game in 2019, and the NBA All-Star Game in 2022 followed, Cleveland prospered. Thanks to their professional and thorough handling of the national convention, Cleveland was recognized for its world-class event spaces and hosting capabilities. Milwaukee stands to find itself in a similar situation following the convention next summer.

Everyone agrees the convention is a game-changer. It’s expected to bring economic opportunities to small businesses struggling with staff shortages as well as those still recovering from the COVID-19 lockdowns, and that nearly $200 million will help the hospitality workers trying to make ends meet.

As the host city, our job is to showcase the City of Milwaukee and make a lasting impression on the tens of thousands of people traveling here to experience everything we have to offer. We want them to return for events or vacations in the future and bring their business to our city. We want them to move their families and companies to Milwaukee and remember their time here. The convention will be a positive experience for not only the city, but our businesses and local leaders as well.

As we gear up for next year’s presidential election, the 2024 Milwaukee Host Committee is planning events all over the city. There will be 56 delegate groups with different schedules; these delegate groups are like mini conventions throughout the city. One group may have lunch in Racine, visit the waterfront downtown, and take a boat tour one day. Our goal is for Milwaukee to spread the wealth for the Badger State, which is why we are working to ensure there are events spread out across the region so as many businesses as possible are included. I can also assure you that there will be gatherings every night throughout Milwaukee, so the economic impact will be spread far and wide.

Additionally, the political impacts will play an important role as well. Hosting the convention in Milwaukee proves that not everything in politics is good versus evil, but rather that good things can arise from relationships between Democrats and Republicans. The truth is, we couldn’t have done this ourselves without the support and assistance of Milwaukee's Democratic mayor, council, and city board, who collectively understand that the convention is not only beneficial for the city, but these relationships and positive results will bring prosperity to Milwaukee.

Before I joined the Milwaukee Host Committee for the 2024 Republican National Convention, I helped host the Republican National Convention in Tampa in 2012 and Cleveland in 2016. I've seen firsthand the short- and long-term effects the committee brings to each of its host cities. There is an immediate bump in revenue for businesses and excitement about the town from both visitors and the media.

More: What you need to know about the Aug. 23 Republican presidential debate in Milwaukee

It also creates business opportunities for hotel managers who will open their doors to guests and members of the press traveling from around the country for this world-class event. In 11 months, I would anticipate that most hotels within an hour drive of Milwaukee, as well as Racine, Kenosha, and other suburbs, will be filled to capacity.

Long-term, the effects build cities up. In 2012, AT&T invested $15 million to upgrade Tampa’s Wi-Fi capacity, and between 2012 and 2016, AT&T “invested more than $1.6 billion to upgrade Ohio’s wireless and wireline networks.” Infrastructure investments of this kind will improve Milwaukee for every citizen and allow it to compete with other cities across the country.

As we prepare for July 2024, I look forward to watching the buildup to the convention play an essential role in Milwaukee's future and bring business, revenue, and growth to Wisconsin. It has never been a better time to live in the Badger State.

Reince Priebus is the host committee chair for the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. He previously served as President Donald Trump's chief of staff and chairman of the Wisconsin and national Republican Party.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: RNC will bring investment , chance for Milwaukee, Wisconsin to shine.