2024 RNC: ‘Get to Know’ the two women responsible for planning and fundraising

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Come summer, all eyes will be on Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention in July.

On Thursday, Marquette University hosted two women responsible for running the RNC as part of their 'Get to Know' series.  

"People don't know Milwaukee, right? They're like, 'oh, I've never been there' or 'oh, I've never been to Wisconsin, I've always kind of wanted to visit.' So, they don't know what they don't know," said Elise Dickens, chief operating officer of the 2024 RNC.

Milwaukee is 129 days away from being at the center of the political universe.

"There was so many negative things and sad things that came out of 2020, but for Wisconsin and Milwaukee, to get another kick at the can, I mean, I feel really fortunate," added Alison Prange, chief of staff and senior advisor of the RNC Host Committee.

This is the first time an in-person convention is taking place since 2016, so it's no surprise all hands on deck were needed.

"We have a $68 million fundraising goal," said Prange.

"We help with their transportation when they're here on the ground, we're helping them get connected with local vendors and venues as they're planning what their delegations want to do when they're in town for the week," added Dickens.

About 55 countries have applied to send a representative in July, and about 50,000 people are expected to travel from across the country.

Around 6,000 volunteers are expected to participate, as young as 16 years old, and roughly 2,000 vendors have already signed up.

"It's about opportunity, and not just opportunity this year, opportunity for, we hope, years to come," said Prange.