In the News

By Mark Kass

A group of about 200 of the Milwaukee area’s top business and community leaders, both Republican and Democrat, got together Tuesday evening at the Northwestern Mutual corporate headquarters to help the Milwaukee 2020 convention bid committee in its efforts to woo the Democratic National Committee to hold its lucrative convention in the city. Check out the attached slideshow to see who was at the invite-only event.

The welcome event was attended by a who’s who of the Milwaukee business community and was hosted by Mayor Tom Barrett, Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-Milwaukee) and Milwaukee Bucks senior vice president Alex Lasry, chair of the Milwaukee 2020 DNC Convention Bid Committee. It was held on the top floor of the new $450 million building that offers incredible views of the city and the lakefront.

The Milwaukee bid committee estimates the convention would bring 50,000 visitors to the city and have a $200 million economic impact. Lasry has said the cost of hosting the convention would be $50 million to $70 million and paid for privately through a nationwide fundraiser.

The DNC’s Technical Advisory Group is visiting the three finalist cities — Milwaukee, Houston and Miami — for the convention slated to be held July 13-16, 2020. The group arrived in Mlwaukee on Monday. It had a private dinner Monday evening at Carnevor in downtown Milwaukee, which included Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry and Milwaukee Brewers principal owner Mark Attanasio. 

On Tuesday, the Milwaukee bid committee toured the DNC group through the recently-opened Fiserv Forum and then held a press conference in its atrium to offer a glimpse of what the group will be seeing. The group also visited the city’s convention center, toured Discovery World on Milwaukee’s lakefront and was heading to a private dinner at Lake Park Bistro after the reception. The group was driven around the city in a Riteway coach bus, with a police escort that included eight motorcycle police officers.

While in Milwaukee, DNC officials also met with security and law enforcement officials.

“We really had a solid day and put our best foot forward,” Barrett said as he entered the reception. "I feel very good about what we are offering."

Jess O’Connell, selection director for the DNC's technical advisory group, told the business and communtiy leaders she was impressed with Milwaukee and its people.

“We could not have had a more hospitable greeting over the last two days,” she said. “Everyone has been so friendly and welcoming along the way. The one thing I heard over and over is the word renaissance. This city is obviously seeing a lot of great things happening right now.”

She said the competition for the convention is “wide open.”

“Milwaukee is in the running,” she said. “The Democratic party needs a renaissance too. We have to put our best foot forward. It matters now more than ever.”

The selection committee will make its decision at the end of the year, after the November elections, or by early 2019, O’Connell said. 

There was a mix of Republicans and Democrats at the event, with several saying the event would be great for the city.

“It doesn’t matter about the politics, it matters on what this would mean for Milwaukee,” said technology entrepreneur Andy Nunemaker, a supporter of President Donald Trump.

In his remarks. Barrett said this was a chance for Milwaukee to host a major civic event.

“Politics aside, this would be tremendous for our city,” he said.

Business and community leaders at the event included Eric Christophersen of Northwestern Mutual, Gus Ramirez of Husco International, John Utz of Associated Bank, retired We Energies executive Thelma Sias, Linda Gorens-Levey of General Capital Group, Jim Kanter of MillerCoors, Milwaukee Bucks president Peter Feigin, Grady Crosby of Johnson Controls, Wanda Montgomery of Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Steve Baas of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, Ricardo Diaz of the United Community Center, Milwaukee attorney David Gruber and Marty Brooks of the Wisconsin Center District.

To read online, please click here.