RNC brings tourism, booked hotels in Racine

RACINE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee is bringing thousands of people to the state. Smaller communities surrounding Milwaukee have been expecting crowds in their areas over the course of multiple months.

“This has been over a year’s worth of planning,” said Cari Greving. She’s the Executive Director of Visit Racine County, who promotes tourism in downtown Racine and nearby neighborhoods in the county. “Down to the smallest detail that you can think of, whether it’s bussing, transportation, hotels, all that stuff.”

Greving said she believes delegates and some of the key political figures attending the convention may find it more convenient to stay further away from the main venues.

“There’s a lot of different people who don’t need to stay right downtown in the city, and we’re 20 minutes away with a freeway to connect you right there, it’s great,” Greving said.

Adam Fuller, the Director of Sales at the Hotel Verdant in downtown Racine, said hotels have been sold out for the majority of the week and have been for months.

“It’s good to have lots of activity and excitement here,” Fuller said.

For those who live and work in the area, they say they can see more traffic.

“I work in booking some of the corporate meetings that come in,” said Nancy Farr, who lives near Racine. “Hotels are definitely busier, restaurant reservations are a little bit harder to get, there’s definitely an influx in the flow.”

Farr has lived in the community for 10 years and she said she had no desire to travel into downtown Milwaukee during the convention. Greving believes having Milwaukee get this national platform will hopefully give exposure to more groups looking to have large-scale events, and hopefully people will continue to turn to Racine.

“This is step one to us, and I know Milwaukee feels the same way. If you can do this, you can do so many things,” Greving said.

Greving added that one of the best times of the year to visit Racine is during the summer. She said that regularly scheduled events in Racine are planned to continue during the time the convention is taking place.