Business owners call it a one-time opportunity. The mayor has called it an economic infusion. Milwaukee is buzzing about the RNC, which is expected to bring the city an economic boost to the tune of $200 million.
Fiserv Forum will become the center of the political world when Milwaukee welcomes the RNC. It will bring big crowds and big money so TMJ4’s Lighthouse team is going 360 to examine how that money will be spent. We're tracking the economic impact all the way to Lake Geneva where a resort general manager says they're fully booked for delegates.
In Milwaukee, you'll hear from a business owner about the private parties he's hosting and we'll visit with the Shorewood Village president to find out why they opted out of extending bar hours during the RNC. TMJ4 has learned private bookings will take over several downtown businesses including Central Standard, which will be closed to the public all four days of the convention, from 11:00am to 10:00pm Monday through Wednesday and from 11:00am to 1:00am on Thursday. The owners wouldn't reveal who they're hosting.
“My staff will have an extra three or four days of income, we'll do very well, a lot of the private bookings have built-in gratuities," explained Jake Dehne. The owner of RWB on Old World Third will host state delegations, including Illinois and Kansas. "Kansas is booked on Tuesday so they have the whole space of RWB," he added.
"Breakfast, lunch, meetings — it's just a home zone because a lot of them are staying.
