Welcome to the big stage, Milwaukee Region.

Now how can we make the most of it?

We suppose it was nice to be considered the Midwest’s “best-kept secret” or a “hidden gem” for a while. If it hasn’t happened already, those days are rapidly coming to an end.

Get ready to be discovered, Milwaukee.

In July 2020, the Milwaukee Region will host 50,000 attendees, 15,000 journalists and a national TV audience for the Democratic National Convention. A few months later, the Ryder Cup will draw people from around the world to Whistling Straits – and hotels and restaurants here. Our businesses will continue to expand, with Komatsu transforming the Harbor District, Milwaukee Tool continuing its rocketship trajectory in Brookfield, HARIBO and Foxconn leading the I-94 corridor boom and so many more. When we take a brief break from all that work, we’ll still have our usual slate of Summerfest, festivals and other big events. And don’t forget about our pair of league MVPs, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Christian Yelich, hopefully leading the Bucks and Brewers into title contention.

IT'S A MOMENT FOR MILWAUKEE TO PUT ITSELF ON THE MAP IN A WAY THAT IT JUST HASN'T.

// ALEX LASRY - Senior VP, Milwaukee Bucks

The DNC Convention has an estimated economic impact of $200 million with 50,000 attendees.

“It’s a moment for Milwaukee to put itself on the map in a way that it just hasn’t,” said Bucks senior vice president Alex Lasry, who played a leading role in Milwaukee’s DNC bid.

Wisconsin Tourism Secretarydesignee Sara Meaney noted that landing the DNC isn’t a turning point that will lead Milwaukee into a renaissance. It’s a reflection that the renaissance already is underway.

“It’s an opportunity for the spotlight to shine on what’s already really great and happening in Milwaukee,” Meaney said. “I think it’s important that we don’t suddenly say we’ve ‘arrived.’ Milwaukee has been arriving for quite a while now. And this is proof positive.”

Meaney sees a close connection between tourism and talent attraction, and 2020 will give Milwaukee and Wisconsin the opportunity to amplify both. What people look for in a vacation in the short term – whether it’s playing a golf course that hosted the Ryder Cup or a vibrant arts scene – is also what they look for in a place to live, work and play in the long term.

“It’s about reputation building, and about relationship building with a visitor over time,” Meaney said. “So that’s how we’re looking at the DNC and Ryder Cup – a much longer-term opportunity than simply the start date and end date of the events themselves.”

Beyond the estimated economic impact of $200 million for the DNC, the long-term impact of 2020 could be even greater – if we can come together and capitalize on it.

“We’ll know if it was a success if three, four, five years down the road, we’re seeing significant growth,” Lasry said. “Not only from population, but business travelers, startups, investment coming into the city.”

To capitalize on the opportunity, Lasry emphasized the importance of expanding the convention center. On a deeper level, he wants to see all of us get better at two things we’ve struggled with at times: Bragging a little bit about all the great things we have going on, while also taking a head-on approach to challenges such as segregation and economic disparities.

“Show that Milwaukee is a welcoming city to not only different types of people, but also all businesses,” Lasry said. “You want to show it as an exciting, up-andcoming city that you want to be a part of. I think in 3 to 5 years, you’re going to really see dramatic changes in Milwaukee because of all of the people and corporations and interests that are going to want to be a part of what’s going on here.”

HOW CAN YOUR COMPANY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF DNC OPPORTUNITIES?

For businesses that would like to play a role in the Democratic National Convention, the Milwaukee 2020 host committee has established a registration portal: https://milwaukee2020.myconnxion.com

Lasry said the committee is hiring a head of supplier diversity and engagement. For now, he encourages interested businesses to attend upcoming supplier diversity sessions and networking events – and, above all, be ready to make a competitive bid.

“When we say being local is a leg up, we still have to go out and compete,” Lasry said. “My hope to all the local companies is, we want you to be a part of this. We want this to be a made in Milwaukee convention. Make sure that you’re ready, and you’re prepared.”