MPLS Chasing the Democratic National Convention, Super Bowl, and the Olympics

[Twin Citian 28]

Minneapolis officials have recently made it clear that they are in the hunt for the 2016 DNC, the 2018 Super Bowl, and the 2024 Olympics.

Democratic National Convention

The city made the final four list for the 2008 DNC and the 2012 Convention.  In 2008 the GOP had announced that they had chosen St. Paul to host the RNC.  This announcement came before the Democrats made their final decision and essentially ruined any chance that Minneapolis would be host. Denver ended up winning the bid.  The 2012 DNC ended up in Charlotte which made a bit more sense as President Obama needed NC more than MN.

 

The Minneapolis area is bigger than the previous two host cities/metros and has the infrastructure and amenities to support large conventions.  The Twin Cities infrastructure is comparable to Denver's, and better than Charlotte's.  The area has already proved it can host a political convention and other large-scale events so, I expect the city will be a finalist again for the 2016 Convention.

Super Bowl
Minneapolis last hosted the Super Bowl in 1992.  The city has formally submitted its bid to

host the Super Bowl in 2018, 2019 or 2020. 

 

The fact that Minneapolis will have a new stadium (not sure if it will have a fixed or retractable roof) should help the city's chances.

Olympics
Minneapolis Mayor, R.T. Rybak stated recently that he wants the city to bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics.  Meet Minneapolis CEO, Melvin Tennant, said the organization has already had preliminary talks with United States Olympic Committee.

Minneapolis has received the U.S. bid three times – 1948, 1952, and 1956.  The city ended up

runner-up to Olympic host Helsinki in 1952 and lost the 1996 domestic bid to eventual host, Atlanta - thanks to police underreporting, bribes, and payoffs.

The following makes the Minneapolis area a solid candidate?

* Corporate base: The Minneapolis area is home to 18 Fortune 500 companies, a number Fortune 1000, several large, private companies, including Cargill, and numerous regional headquarters / presence for other large corporations, including Wells Fargo, Honeywell, Travelers, and Delta Airlines.

 

* More than enough sporting venues; all within a small area / radius

 

* An international airport that would be able to handle the thousands of international travelers each day

 

* Decent transportation infrastructure with plenty of freeways, light rail, commuter rail, a better than average bus system.  The new Central Corridor has stops at Target Field, Target Center, the new Vikings stadium, and TCF Bank Stadium.  Williams Arena, Marriucci Arena, the Sports Pavilion, Aquatic Center, Ridder Arena, and the new St. Paul Saints Ballpark will all be within a short walk (half block to three blocks) from the new line.  The Xcel Energy Center and Roy Wilkins are about 5 blocks from the line.

 

* Workforce: there are always plenty of people looking for jobs

 

* Volunteers: the Twin Cities area continually ranks near the top when it comes to volunteering 

 

What hinders the Minneapolis area's chances?

* Hotel rooms.  The IOC requires 40,000 hotel rooms within 30 miles of the core of the Olympics.  There are about 35,000 within the core.

 

* Operating budget - the operating budget to stage the Games is over $3 billion, not including costs associated with venue construction and other infrastructure.

[Twin Citian 28]

Couple updates:

I was wrong in stating that there are 35,000 hotel rooms.  The Twin Cities area has over 45,000 hotel rooms.

 

Minneapolis officials have announced that they will not bid due to the operating budget.