Milwaukee Downtown to host post-RNC Wrap Party with giveaways at local restaurants

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Data tracking the economic impact on Milwaukee from the Republican National Convention will be compiled over the next several months. For now, what is known is that the convention generated great visibility, starting with Visit Milwaukee.

Visit Milwaukee's popularity soared during the week of the RNC. Their website got 56% more hits than an average week.

"That was what we were hoping for. We were hoping that people would see us on TV, and they would say that's a great place to have a convention," said Peggy Williams-Smith, president and CEO, Visit Milwaukee.

Williams-Smith expects all that publicity to translate into increased tourism in the months to come. City leaders had expected the RNC to bring in $200 million in revenue, but Peggy Williams-Smith knows of many businesses that didn't benefit.

"The security perimeter being locked down as tight as it was, which was absolutely understandable after an assassination attempt, did create more of a bubble closer to the convention center just because people didn't want to have to go out and come back," said Williams-Smith.

The RNC drew an estimated 50,000 people. Now, Milwaukee Downtown wants to thank those who live, work and play here with what they're calling an RNC Wrap Party.

"Every morning, we're choosing a local restaurant to do an open tab," said Isabel Ullrich, events, marketing and social media manager, Milwaukee Downtown BID #21.

First up on a week of thanking downtown, it was free coffee at 600 East Café.

"They see our Instagram or Facebook post and then walk into that local business and mention that, and today it was up to $20," said Ullrich.

In addition, the Rainbow Summer inflatable located at Water and Kilbourn's here for the week, at times offering live music, food trucks and rainbow cookies.

"I took a few pictures. I think it's actually more fun than the spheres were last year," said Mike Allen.

Mike Allen works downtown and did so every day last week.

"If you tried to come through the zones, you were going to have a long delay. Once you realized where the traffic patterns were, it was pretty easy to get around," said Allen.

He said he enjoyed saying hello to people wearing RNC lanyards.

"And one man said, 'well, you know, I liked Milwaukee up until an hour ago.'  And I'm like, 'well sir, what happened?' And he goes, 'I found out how much it will cost to ship 10 cases of Spotted Cow home,'" said Allen.