In the News

By Bill Glauber

Milwaukee's organizing committee will submit its bid Monday to host the 2020 Democratic National Convention 

The convention will be held July 13-16, 2020, and Milwaukee is among eight finalist cities.

The list includes Atlanta, Birmingham, Ala., Denver, Houston, Miami Beach, New York and San Francisco.

The DNC site selection committee is expected to visit the finalists this summer, with the selection of the host city announced later this year or early in 2019.

"Milwaukee is prepared to provide a first-class delegate experience and turn the national spotlight on America’s 'fresh coast,' " Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said in the cover letter to the 149-page submission.

"Milwaukee is an affordable and easily accessible city, known for our hospitality and our actively engaged corporate community. We have what it takes to make the DNC shine," Barrett said.

U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore added a letter of support in trying to bring the convention to the city's new arena.

"Milwaukee is the perfect place to host a Convention in July and August," Moore said. "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.”

Alex Lasry, a senior vice president of the Milwaukee Bucks, is the chair of the local committee.

Organizers have said the convention would bring an estimated 50,000 visitors and have a $200 million economic impact in Milwaukee.

The local committee is raising up to $1 million to go through the bid process. Based on the experience of recent convention cities, if Milwaukee wins the bid, the local committee would have to raise $50 million to $80 million to stage the event.