Dan Jacobs, a contestant on the newest season of “Top Chef,” is drawing national attention for his soups, cheese treats, and elevated snacks, despite his ongoing battle with a rare degenerative disease. However, the buzz around his culinary skills has not led to an influx of bookings at his Milwaukee restaurants, DanDan and EsterEv, ahead of the upcoming Republican National Convention. Many other venues in the city are also struggling to secure bookings for events surrounding the convention, including Birch, Pabst and Riverside theaters, and the Rave, Eagles Club, and Eagles Ballroom. Despite claims from Republicans involved in the planning that fund-raising is on track and contracts are being negotiated actively, concerns remain over the slow start of preparations for the convention.
While theories abound in Milwaukee as to why bookings are lagging, such as staff turnover at the Republican National Committee and attendees’ reluctance to participate in an event linked to former President Donald J. Trump, Republicans involved in convention planning assert that progress is being made. According to Reince Priebus, chair of the Milwaukee host committee, fund-raising efforts are ahead of schedule, and 50 events have either been signed or are close to finalizing contracts. Despite these claims, many local businesses are still struggling to secure bookings and are concerned about the lack of bookings compared to what was seen leading up to the city’s hosting of the Democratic National Convention in 2020.
Organizations are hoping that bookings will pick up soon, but delays caused by the late hotel assignments for delegates have affected the pace of event planning in Milwaukee. Despite some progress being made, such as buyouts at Central Standard Distillery, CNN and Politico planning to open a joint dining and media center, and the Bradley Symphony Center confirming bookings, concerns linger over the impact of potential abrupt changes due to the involvement of former President Trump in the convention. The delay in bookings and uncertainty over the level of participation have businesses and event organizers on edge as they strive to capitalize on the opportunity presented by the convention.
In comparison to Milwaukee, where bookings are slow and uncertainties remain, Chicago, the city that will host the Democrats just a month after the Republican convention, is seeing a surge in bookings and arrangements. Navy Pier, popular restaurants, and concert venues in Chicago are filling up with contracts, and even last-minute bookings are being made to accommodate the high demand for event spaces. Democratic event planners are optimistic and proactive in securing venues and planning events, contrasting the sluggish progress in Milwaukee, where venues are struggling to close deals and lock in bookings for events surrounding the convention.
As the countdown to the Republican National Convention continues, Milwaukee businesses are hopeful that bookings will begin to ramp up and more certainty will emerge regarding the events surrounding the convention. While debates over contracts and booking terms continue, concerns are rising over the potential impact of slow bookings on the city’s businesses during the convention, a critical time when the city typically thrives due to summer activities and tourism. The uncertainty surrounding the convention, combined with the ongoing challenges faced by businesses in securing bookings and negotiating terms, are creating a sense of trepidation and anticipation among local venues and event organizers as they navigate the complexities of hosting a major political event.
