Prep continues for 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE, Wis. — We're about a year and a half away from the arrival of the 2024 Republican National Convention and today, we learned a few new details from officials.

Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said during the press briefing Thursday that "You should be able to expect that we'll have a debate here in Milwaukee."

Host committee Chief Executive Officer Steve King said they are working with a Chicago-based firm OnPeak to arrange contracts with 300-400 hotels in Wisconsin in a 60-mile radius to help house the convention’s visitors.

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson joined King, McDaniel, and MKE 2024 Host Committee Chair Reince Priebus on Thursday to officially mark the journey to the convention.

"We've got a few political differences, but we are united and that we have a desire to make sure that Milwaukee shines in the summer of 2024," Mayor Johnson said.

"As important as Wisconsin is as a battleground state as a purple state we wouldn't be here if it weren't for the wonderful city of Milwaukee," McDaniel stated.

Watch the press briefing on Thursday below, joined by Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson:

Set to come to the city from July 15 through July 18, 2024, the arrival of the convention could welcome more than 50,000 people to the city over the course of a month.

Financially, the RNC is expected to bring in nearly $200 million in potential revenue.

"We're already getting inquiries like crazy. The contracting process is already happening here at our hotel and in the area," said Greta McCue, director of sales at the Aloft Milwaukee Downtown.

The hotel, which is steps away from Fiserv Forum, expects to book all of their 160 rooms for event.

"Our whole team is very tenured. And, you know, this is still probably the biggest thing that any of us have ever been a part of. So we're really excited for it," McCue said.

"When we bring the delegates and the guests, which is like four Super Bowls in a row into the city, we're going to try to map this out so that every part of the city is taking in the economic boom that there's convention has to offer. It's not just gonna be downtown," Priebus said.

The challenges leading up to the convention range from coordinating security, transportation, fundraising, and making sure guests can make it to the convention within 30 minutes from their hotel.

This comes about four years after the Brew City was chosen to host the 2020 Democratic National Convention. As you might remember, the pandemic forced the city to hold it virtually.

Wisconsin is one of the few states in the country that can truly be considered purple during the general election.

Wisconsin is a crucial swing state for both Democrats and Republicans with President Joe Biden winning the state in 2020 after former President Donald Trump won it in 2016.

The latest updates on the RNC can be found on the convention's new website, which launched Thursday.

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