Draft:Logistics of the 2024 Democratic National Convention
| 2024 Democratic National Convention | |
.jpg) Interior of the United Center during Kamala Harris's acceptance speech | |
| Convention | |
|---|---|
| Date(s) | August 19–22, 2024 |
| City | Chicago, Illinois |
| Convention hall | United Center |
| Convention hall capacity | 23,500+ |
| Convention hall type | arena |
| Other significant venues | McCormick Place Fiserv Forum (in Milwaukee) |
| Headquarters hotel | Marriott Marquis Chicago and Hyatt Regency McCormick Place |
| Held before or after RNC? | after |
| NSSE designation? | yes |
The 2024 Democratic National Convention was held in Chicago, Illinois August 19–22, 2024. A large-scale event, the organization and facilitation of the convention involved complex and multifaceted logistics.
In _____, Chicago was selected to serve as the site of the convention. Among the most complex aspects of the convention is security. The convention was a National Special Security Event (NSSE). Its security was coordinated by the Chicago ground office of the United States Secret Service, and required a significant amount of non-local personnel.
https://www.meetingstoday.com/articles/144731/key-takeaways-meeting-planners-2024-democratic-national-convention-chicago https://abc7chicago.com/live-updates/democratic-convention-2024-live-updates-chicago-street-closures-parking-protests-more/15187114/entry/15189794/
Site selection
[edit]Early developments
[edit]Amid the downsizing of the 2020 Democratic National Convention (which was ultimately held in various parts of the United States, including its main host city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in a virtual format impacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic), there was discussion among some notable individuals in Milwaukee about the city pushing to receive the 2024 convention as consolation.[1][2][3] Speculation existed that, due to the circumstances surrounding the downsizing of the 2020 convention, Milwaukee would be a front-runner to host the convention if it pursued it.[4] Milwaukee mayor Tom Barrett was open to the city hosting either a Democratic or Republican convention in 2024.[5]
In the summer of 2021, Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison sent letters to over twenty cities inviting them to bid to host the convention.[6] Officials in Columbus, Ohio, had, since at least 2019, discussed trying to seek either the Democratic or Republican convention in 2024.[7] After being one of approximately twenty cities that Harrison invited to bid, Barrett wrote Harrison a letter indicating the city's interest in hosting the party's 2024 convention.[8][9] Milwaukee was also bidding to host the 2024 Republican National Convention.[10] Nashville, Tennessee, took action to pursue either party's Convention.[10]
Overview of official bidding
[edit]| City | State | Status | Proposed venue(s) | Previous major party conventions hosted by city |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Chicago
|
 Illinois |
Winner | United Center (primary venue) McCormick Place (secondary venue)[11] |
Democratic: 1864, 1884, 1892, 1896, 1932, 1940, 1944, 1952, 1956, 1968, 1996 Republican: 1860, 1868, 1880, 1884, 1888, 1904, 1908, 1912, 1916, 1920, 1932, 1944, 1952, 1960 Progressive: 1912, 1916 |
 Atlanta
|
 Georgia |
Finalist | State Farm Arena (primary venue)[12][11] Georgia World Congress Center (secondary venue)[11] |
Democratic: 1988 |
 New York City
|
 New York |
Finalist | Madison Square Garden (main venue) Javits Center (secondary venue)[13][11] |
Democratic: 1868, 1924, 1976, 1980, 1992 Republican: 2004 |
 Houston
|
 Texas |
Non-finalist | Democratic: 1928 Republican: 1992 |
In May 2022, Atlanta and New York City also announced bids for the convention.[14][15] New York City had not previously been expected to bid.[13]
Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, and New York City submitted bids by the May 28, 2022, deadline.[13] All cities were previous convention host cities, but had not been host cities in the previous several elections. Houston had been the site of both the 1928 Democratic and 1992 Republican conventions, and had been a finalist bid city for the 2020 Democratic convention. New York City had last held a convention in 2004 when it hosted the Republican convention, and had last hosted a Democratic convention in 1992. It had been a finalist bid city for the 2016 DNC. Atlanta had been the host city of the 1988 DNC. Chicago had historically_____ m____________. 1996 DNC _________
In January 2023, Democratic National Committee officials confirmed that the finalist cities would be Atlanta, Chicago, and New York City, with Houston no longer being considered.[16]
Chicago's bid
[edit]Top Democrats from Illinois, including Governor J. B. Pritzker, Senator Tammy Duckworth, and Mayor Lori Lightfoot, laid the groundwork to host the convention in Chicago.[17] Chicago has hosted the most major-party presidential nominating conventions of any city (14 Republican, 11 Democratic). The 1968 Democratic National Convention was mired in violence between anti-war demonstrators and the Chicago Police Department. The most recent convention (1996 Democratic National Convention) saw the renomination of Bill Clinton and Al Gore.[18] On May 3, 2022, Chicago launched a website to promote the city as a potential host for the convention.[19] Facilities in Chicago mentioned as potential primary venues include the United Center, Wintrust Arena, and Navy Pier.[20]
Early into Chicago's bid, in addition to proposing United Center as the primary venue and McCormick Place as a possible venue for secondary convention business, Museum Campus, Navy Pier, and Wintrust Arena were also additionally floated as facilities that could additionally be used for secondary convention business.[13][21][22] The Chicago bid was chiefly championed by Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Bid supporters touted the city's large airports, cultural attractions, and the central location of the convention venues and the hotels where delegates and other visitors would stay. They argued that Chicago's location in the Midwest would be wise given the high importance for the Democrats of the nearby swing states of Wisconsin and Michigan.[11] Democratic Party leaders in other Midwestern states threw their support behind Chicago's bid.[23] They also touted that the city's hotels generally employ union laborers.[11] Governor Pritzker, a billionaire who had contributed large sums to the organization fundraising for Chicago's effort, made a pledge to the Democratic Party that the party itself would not incur any financial losses from the organization of the convention.[11][24] The remaining mayoral candidates in the 2023 Chicago mayoral election runoff, Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas, vowed to support the city's effort to host the convention.[25] The victory of the progressive Johnson over the more conservative Vallas in the city's runoff election was speculated to have helped Chicago's prospects.[26]
Atlanta's bid
[edit]Boosters of Atlanta's bid argued that a convention in their city could aid the Democrats in making political inroads in the South,[27] touting the city's history in civil rights activism and its state's recent ascendence in 2020 to become a key swing state in presidential and U.S. Senate elections. These points were countered by New York and Chicago backers, who criticized the city's lack of unionized hotels and the state's "Right to Work" law as discordant with the party's alliance with organized laborers.[11]
New York City's bid
[edit]Houston's bid
[edit]Selection of Chicago
[edit]On April 11, 2023, it was announced that Chicago had been selected as the convention's location, with the United Center to serve as the primary venue and McCormick Place to be a secondary facility used for various early-day convention activities.[11] Chicago and the previously selected Republican National Convention host city, Milwaukee, are approximately 90 miles apart on the coast of Lake Michigan. Not since 1972, when both conventions last shared a host city, have the major party convention sites been so closely located.[28] Illinois is regarded to be a solidly Democratic state.[29] No party has opted to hold their convention in a non-swing state since the 2004 election, though Chicago is within a few hours' drive of the swing states of Wisconsin and Michigan.[30]
Chicago benefited from _________ union labor (versus Atlanta), hotel costs (versus NY), Pritzker's financial pledge, support of other Midwestern governors for Chicago, Midwest Blue Wall message.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/11/us/politics/democratic-national-convention-chicago.html
Host committee
[edit]Leadership
[edit]Finances
[edit]Committee on arrangements
[edit]Remote roll call vote in advance of convention
[edit]Impetus
[edit]Withdrawal of Biden and nomination of Harris
[edit]Security
[edit].jpg)
out of town police https://apnews.com/article/dnc-protest-chicago-security-police-63790e7b0a73711ef517e4147f9c237c
Fiserv rally. https://www.fox6now.com/news/vp-kamala-harris-milwaukee-visit-campaign-rally-fiserv-forum.amp
Handling of demonstrations and protests
[edit]In the months leading up of the convention, anti-Israel protests against the Biden administration's handling of relations with Israel amid the Gaza war were widely expected to be organized in Chicago during the convention.[31] Numerous writers opined that the convention's handling of protests would carry high-stakes for the images of both Chicago and the Democratic party. Writers pointed to the 1968 convention's handling of the convention as a cautionary tale for consequences both the city and party could face if protests were handled in an overly-aggressive or poorly-managed manner.[32][31] Due to the convention being only the second to be held in Chicago since 1968, many stories were published into the lead-up to the convention raising the specter of 1968, and speculatively questioning whether the scenes seen at that convention would be repeated in 2024.[31] However, the 2024 convention several major differences from 1968 that made this highly unlikely. One was that Chicago's mayor and police leadership in 2024 were less inclined to be highly-aggressive towards protesters than Richard J. Daley and his police leadership had been in 1968. Additionally, the Democratic delegates were overwhelmingly united behind a nominee heading into the 2024 convention (who had been formally nominated prior to the start of the convention), unlike the 1968 convention which was an open convention with deep divisions among delegates.[31]
In advance of the convention, a coalition called "March on the DNC 2024" planned large protests to be held during convention.[32]
https://www.wpr.org/news/wisconsin-uninstructed-voters-among-dnc-protests-in-chicago
The number of protesters at the conventions fell far short of pre-convention expectations. March on the DNC 2024 had announced an expectation of 20,000 participants at their protest on the conventions opening day. The actual protest turnout was significantly smaller, with city officials estimating that the participating crowd was roughly 3,500.[33] An Associated Press story published shortly after the conclusion of the convention commented, "as far as Chicago’s storied protests go, the numbers outside the Democratic National Convention were unremarkable."[33]
Protests at the convention, including the Gaza War related protests, were by large peaceful. However, on the convention's first day a number of protesters were arrested. Some were arrested for tearing down a portion of the security fencing near the United Center. Others were arrested after an unsanctioned demonstration was held outside of the Israeli Consulate in Chicago.[33]
Chicago's own police department alone handled efforts related to crowd control of protesters. Police Superintendent Larry Snelling opined that having only local police (and no out-of-town police agencies) involved in protest-related crowd control played a role in the city's success in keeping peace during the convention. Snelling also credited communication between the Chicago Police Department and protest organizers as another key factor[33]
Conversion of the United Center into convention hall
[edit]
.
.jpg)
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/united-center-interior-dnc-2024/
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/united-center-transformation-2024-democratic-national-convention
Use of McCormick Place for secondary official convention events
[edit]McCormick Place https://chicago.suntimes.com/2024/1/9/24030989/marriott-hyatt-hotel-mccormick-place-democratic-party-election-joe-biden-convention-2024-election
August 20 nominees rally at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee
[edit]
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/20/us/politics/harris-rally-milwaukee-dnc.html
https://www.wpr.org/news/second-night-dnc-milwaukee-kamala-harris-tim-walz-rally-fiserv-forum
https://michiganadvance.com/2024/08/21/harris-rallies-voters-in-milwaukee-on-second-night-of-dnc/
https://pbswisconsin.org/news-item/harris-walz-rouse-milwaukee-as-the-dnc-rolls-into-chicago/
https://www.politico.com/news/2024/08/20/harris-dnc-milwaukee-wisconsin-democrats-00175251
https://www.yahoo.com/news/see-every-city-trump-harris-100945692.html
Media and broadcast facilities
[edit]
Colbert and Daily Show
Staging of related events in Chicago
[edit]Hotels
[edit]Large supply of hotels in Chicago
The host committee contracted 40 hotels in the city to provide "competitive rates" to delegates, alternate delegates, media, and "members of the Democratic family". dhttps://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2024/03/12/where-dem-delegates-will-stay-not-trump-hotel-00146453
All delegates were housed in rooms at eight hotels located in Downtown Chicago. https://chicago.suntimes.com/2024/1/9/24030989/marriott-hyatt-hotel-mccormick-place-democratic-party-election-joe-biden-convention-2024-election
These hotels, the United Center, and McCormick Place are all located within a five-mile radius of each other. https://www.axios.com/2024/01/09/chicago-dnc-headquarters-biden-campaign
Headquarters hotels
[edit]File:
Headquarters hotels https://chicago.suntimes.com/2024/1/9/24030989/marriott-hyatt-hotel-mccormick-place-democratic-party-election-joe-biden-convention-2024-election https://demconvention.com/news/press-releases/mccormick-place-will-headquarter-staff-media-2024-dnc/
Delegate hotels
[edit]https://www.politico.com/f/?id=0000018e-2fcf-d62b-a7df-ffeff6860000
- Allegro Royal Sonesta Hotel Chicago: additional delegates
- Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park: Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, South Dakota
- Hilton Chicago: Arizona, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Northern Mariana Islands
- Hyatt Regency Chicago: Alaska, American Samoa, California, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi New Mexico, North Carolina, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming, South Carolina, Tennessee
- The Palmer House Hilton: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virgin Islands
- Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown at the Riverwalk: Illinois, Nebraska
- Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk: Connecticut, Democrats Abroad, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma Puerto Rico, Wisconsin
- Westin Michigan Avenue Chicago: Colorado, Nevada, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Oregon, Washington
Non-strike agreement with trade unions
[edit]Economic impact
[edit]Transportation
[edit]New cta station opened in time near united center
Metra from airport
Parking restrictions https://abc7chicago.com/post/chicago-dnc-2024-parking-restrictions-set-begin-chicago-democratic-national-convention-united-center-mccormick-place/15175037/
Organizers utilized buses from the fleet of the local transit agencies to transport attendees between convention facilities.[32]
air
Issues maintaining schedule during evening program
[edit]A recurrent issue during the convention was evening programs running behind-schedule, with speakers at the United Center often running over their allotted times. This issue was attributed to
Several previously-announced speakers were dropped from the final evening s
Live entertainment during evening program
[edit]Several musical performances w
Musical performance bumped on first evening_____
____Beyonce rumor
Other matters
[edit]AT&T provided network connectivity services to both major party conventions in 2024.[34]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Calvi, Jason (August 6, 2020). "In light of DNC changes, some ponder Milwaukee hosting 2024 convention". WITI. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- ^ Jannene, Jeramey (May 25, 2020). "Will Milwaukee Get DNC in 2024?". Urban Milwaukee. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- ^ Jacobo, Victor (August 6, 2020). "With 2020 DNC nearly gone, calls grow for a bid to host in 2024". WDJT-TV. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- ^ Schmidt, Mitchell (August 15, 2020). "Democrats adapt to the downsized Milwaukee Democratic National Convention". madison.com. Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
- ^ Calvi, Jason (April 23, 2021). "Could Milwaukee host 2024 DNC? 1-on-1 with committee chair". WITI. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
- ^ Mucha, Sarah (July 30, 2021). "First look: DNC kicks off host city competition for 2024 convention". Axios. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
- ^ Colombo, Hayleigh (November 13, 2019). "Should Columbus bid to host the DNC or RNC in 2024? Tourism leaders say it's a question of ROI". Columbus Business First. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- ^ Hess, Corrinne (September 28, 2021). "Milwaukee To DNC: We're Ready To Host In 2024". Wisconsin Public Radio. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
- ^ Vetterkind, Riley (August 2, 2021). "Milwaukee one of 20 cities invited to consider hosting 2024 Democratic National Convention". Madison.com. Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
- ^ a b Petre, Linda (January 11, 2022). "Search for 2024 convention sites ramps up in both parties". The Hill. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Sweet, Lynn (April 11, 2023). "Chicago to host 2024 Democratic National Convention". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
- ^ "Atlanta one of four finalists to host 2024 DNC". 11Alive.com. July 28, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
- ^ a b c d Sweet, Lynn (May 28, 2022). "New York jumps in race to host 2024 Democratic National Convention: Big competition for Chicago". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
- ^ Amy, Jeff (May 14, 2022). "Atlanta will bid for 2024 Democratic nominating convention". ABC News. The Associated Press. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
- ^ Durkin, Erin; Gronewold, Anna; Garcia, Deanna (May 27, 2022). "New York City throws in for DNC". Politico. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
- ^ Glueck, Katie; King, Maya (January 27, 2023). "'Does This City Fit Who We Are as a Party?' Mayors Jockey for 2024 D.N.C." The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
- ^ "Pritzker, Lightfoot, Duckworth working on pitch for 2024 Democratic National Convention to be held in Chicago". Chicago Sun-Times. March 31, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
- ^ "Political Conventions". Encyclopedia of Chicago. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
- ^ "Chicago Unveils Bid to Host 2024 Democratic National Convention". WTTW News. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
- ^ "Where Could the 2024 Democratic National Convention Be Held If It Came to Chicago? Lightfoot Weighs in". NBC Chicago. March 31, 2022. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
- ^ Sweet, Lynn; Sfondeles, Tina (May 3, 2022). "Exclusive details on Chicago's bid for 2024 Democratic convention: Bid due May 27". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
- ^ Sweet, Lynn (July 19, 2022). "Democratic 2024 convention site team visits Chicago next week; Republicans poised to pick Milwaukee". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
- ^ Sforza, Lauren (March 22, 2023). "Midwest Democrats push for 2024 convention in Chicago". The Hill. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
- ^ Kapos, Shia (March 13, 2023). "Pritzker, allies to DNC: We'll cover the bill — if Chicago gets the '24 convention". Politico. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
- ^ Sweet, Lynn (March 3, 2023). "Chicago mayor rivals Paul Vallas, Brandon Johnson pledge support for city's 2024 Democratic convention bid". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
- ^ Burnett, Will Weissert and Sara (April 12, 2023). "Dem, GOP convention picks show Midwest's political influence". The Detroit News. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
- ^ "A Midwest Rivalry: Chicago to host 2024 DNC in political competition of Milwaukee's 2024 RNC". Milwaukee Independent. The Associated Press. April 12, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
- ^ Wise, David (April 11, 2023). "Chicago selected to host 2024 Democratic National Convention". WisPolitics. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
- ^ "Dems select Chicago for 2024 convention". PBS NewsHour. April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
- ^ Petre, Linda (January 11, 2022). "Search for 2024 convention sites ramps up in both parties". The Hill. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
- ^ a b c d Debusmann, Bernd, Jr. (17 August 2024). "Will the Chicago DNC have protests like 1968?". BBC. Retrieved 11 April 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c Hendershot, Steve (25 March 2024). "As Chicago Steps Into the DNC's Spotlight, Here's What We Have to Gain — and Lose". Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved 11 April 2025.
- ^ a b c d Tareen, Sophia; Skene, Lea; Offenhartz, Jake; Cappelletti, Joey (23 August 2024). "Despite Smaller Crowds, Activists At Democrats' Convention Call Chicago Anti-War Protests A Success". The Associated Press. Retrieved 11 April 2025.
- ^ Schwartz, Brian (3 May 2024). "Major corporations reluctant to make a splash at the 2024 political conventions". NBC News. Retrieved 15 July 2024.