Delegation leaders from across the country were in Milwaukee Tuesday to plan for next summer’s Democratic National Convention.
Delegates representing more than 40 states entered Fiserv Forum for the first time Tuesday morning to do some scouting for the 4,500 delegates who will ultimately choose their party’s candidate for the 2020 presidential election.
“I’ve seen a side of Milwaukee that I haven’t seen before and when they say that Milwaukee is really going to roll out the red carpet,” said Ken Martin.
Martin represents the Minnesota delegation. He’s excited the host site is close to home.
“I think it not only made sense to have it right here in a state as critical as Wisconsin, but also to really signify the importance of the Midwest in the upcoming presidential contest,” he said.
Delegation leaders got to see the hub of the 2020 DNC followed by trips to the Wisconsin Center and the public market, but it’s more than just a whirlwind tour for Lavora Barnes who represents Michigan.
“One, we’re checking out hotels we’ve been assigned for the convention so we can go home and talk to our delegates about our accommodations and two, we’re here to look at venues,” she said.
Barns and others met with more than 85 vendors and venues across the cities where delegations plan to host their own parties, rallies, dinners and more during the nights of the DNC.
Despite some concerns about whether Milwaukee has enough hotels and accommodations for 50,000 visitors, Barnes said her trip to Milwaukee assures her there’s no need to worry.
“You guys are terrific hosts already, you’re going to be great convention hosts,” she said. “The city is ready for us.”
Nearly half of the delegates will be staying at hotels in northern Illinois. Barnes and Martin said that’s very typical for national conventions of this size. Martin said the most important thing is the DNC already has their transportation plans in place.
