'The RNC let us down': Some businesses disappointed with reservations ahead of convention

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Two weeks out from the Republican National Convention, many businesses and venues are feeling left out from the economic boom officials touted leading up to the four-day event.

Historic Milwaukee venues such as the Riverside Theater and Pabst Theater will lie empty, owner Gary Witt said, even after he signed contracts with the RNC to keep their space open to rent out during the convention.

"Everyone buckled up and had really high hopes it would be positive for the city," Witt said. "I'm disappointed we have nothing happening in our venues, but I'm disappointed in a bigger way the greater impact on the city of Milwaukee overall."

Turner Hall, another iconic venue owned by Witt, will be occupied by CNN and Politico for their coverage of the 2024 convention. 

For nearly two years, VISIT Milwaukee and RNC officials estimated the city of Milwaukee would generate $200 million in economic impact with 50,000 visitors descending on the Cream City during the week of July 15.

Witt says that was overpromised and expressed doubts about the projected overall impact.

"The RNC let us down," Witt said. "I think the major letdown is that we are Milwaukee, and we needed this big, positive event."

In 2016, Cleveland hosted the GOP convention and days before, local officials said it would generate $200 million with 50,000 visitors. A study from the Cleveland State University a year later found that convention brought in $142.2 million with more than 44,000 visitors coming to town.

Adam Siegel, owner of Lupi and Iris, also expressed his disappointment with the RNC after he believed his fine-dining downtown restaurant would be hosting several events during the week.

"We planned a lot differently than what is happening right now," said Siegel. "Originally we had shut down our books, hoping we would fill everything, but we didn't see any of that."

Siegel, who has one event booked during the four-day convention, suggested it's time to look at conventions differently because he said the RNC and local leaders are "overselling it."

Just up the street at Central Standard Crafthouse and Kitchen, they're preparing for a much busier week. CEO Evan Hughes said they are almost completely booked Sunday through Thursday and suggested it's likely due to their versatile space.

"We have four different levels of activation opportunity, which I think a lot of folks coming into town are excited about," Hughes said. "We still have some inquires coming from other delegations so it's a frantic dash to the finish."

Overall, there are a lot of mixed emotions from the business community about whether the convention will be an economic boom or bust.

Hotels that signed contracts with the RNC have reached 100% capacity, with over 10,000 hotel rooms at 100 hotels across Southeast Wisconsin.

There are still rooms available within proximity to Fiserv Forum, including Iron Horse, Holiday Inn Downtown, and DoubleTree by Hilton.