The upcoming Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee and the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago have elicited markedly different responses from local small businesses, as revealed by the experiences of venue owners and event planners in both cities; through interviews with the New York Times, they illustrate a significant contrast. In Milwaukee, despite the RNC being just three months away, sizeable venues and restaurants report a surprising lack of bookings, a situation that differs sharply from the preparations seen in Chicago for the DNC.
Dan Jacobs, a chef gaining national recognition and a restaurateur in Milwaukee, has seen no uptick in bookings for his establishments, DanDan and EsterEv, ahead of the RNC. This is reflected across the city, with significant venues like the Birch restaurant and the Pabst and Riverside theaters experiencing a dearth of contracted events. Similarly, Leslie West, co-owner of the Rave, Eagles Club, and Eagles Ballroom, has opted to book her own shows during the RNC, citing the slow pace of external event planning.
Adam Siegel, co-owner of Lupi & Iris, shared that while some smaller contracts have been finalized, the large-scale buyouts expected have not materialized. This situation has led to speculation within the Milwaukee business community about the slow start, with theories ranging from internal turnover within the Republican National Committee (RNC) to apprehensions about the city’s infrastructure and hesitancy surrounding the event’s association with Donald Trump.
Contrastingly, Chicago is experiencing a vibrant pre-DNC atmosphere, with Navy Pier fully booked and multiple contracts in place at popular venues like Chicago Cut and The Salt Shed. Event planner Kimball Stroud noted the high demand for spaces, which has led her to explore and secure the newly renovated Ramova Theater for multiple events.
This disparity is attributed to various factors, including Chicago’s larger size and its quicker hotel booking process for state delegations, which has allowed planners to secure venues with more confidence. In Milwaukee, the late distribution of hotel assignments may have contributed to the delay in event bookings.
Moreover, there’s a palpable concern among Milwaukee’s venue managers about the RNC’s impact, influenced by Trump’s contentious presence and the fear of last-minute cancellations. The GOP is also struggling to control its finances as they experience the largest donor drought in the organization’s history, a reality that likely influences the disparity between bookings.
