GOP National Convention in 2008

[PghUSA]

Although I would love for the Lawrence or Mellon to host either the DNC or GOP these conventions since 9/11 have become full scale lock down political rallies similar to meetings of the World Bank etc. Boston couldn't wait to get rid of the Dems after a few days, if the cost picture is worked out with the Feds or the National Election Agency picking up almost all of the tab on security etc. this would be great publicity for the region--as long as no riots break out lol.

http://pittsburgh.bizjournals.com/pittsbur...tml?jst=b_ln_hl

[balistpgh]

I don't know about this one. I am all for publicity but these things are a major headache and may cost us more than what we get.

[urbanophile]

I don't know about this one. I am all for publicity but these things are a major headache and may cost us more than what we get.

There's no need to worry about it yet. Pittsburgh has not thrown its hat into the ring. The article merely stated that Pgh was one of 30+ cities the RNC has invited to throw its hat into the ring.

[mercurypa]

Another great event, but we must be careful on which side of the fence that we are perceived to be on politically.

I agree that these events are nightmares logistically, so I hope they wouldn't expect the city to pay for all of the security. Im sure the Republican party has enough to help out with any extra security departments.

[PghUSA]

Urban, just to be considered for a convention (seeing as how we have never hosted one) is a huge boost, so true they have yet to decide but right now the ball is in Pittsburgh's court, hoping we can step up to the plate.

Despite the fact that this town will get overrun but politicos and media for a week (which will be good for SOME sectors of the local economy) I would love having the convention here, again I know Boston and NYC post 9/11 weren't crazy about the bill at the end, hopefully the Feds and national committee will pick the tab up for the region.

Something to shoot for if the price is right . . . just be willing to give downtown up to the global image and king makers for a week (which in one way is a good thing, nothing like that kind of power call the 'burgh home for a little while).

[mjcatl2]

Don't bet on any affirmations that the GOP will pick up the tab. Their RFP means little, it's not much better than getting pre-approved for that Capital One card sitting in your mail pile. It would be great to fill the city with 20,000 people for sure, but the city will lose money on the deal. Let's face it, they want competitive bids and it ain't just about having a large neough facility and hotel rooms, it means they want a city who will be gracious enough to pick up the tab for their party.

Now it may be worth it, but I have serious reservations about this.

[PghUSA]

Biggest complaint in NYC and Beantown in '04 wasn't neccesarily the infrastructure costs (private foundations, contribs and fed money bailed most of that out if I remember correctly), it was more the gorilla in the living room problem these conventions are having in post 9/11, there are countless different security barriers all taking up between 3 to 5 feet wide ringing the place, different sorts of checkpoints, staging areas, joint command centers, media camps and protestor zones behind even more multiple security barriers etc. etc. It is more like a 15 block circus then a convention at a "center".

The economic pinch here comes into play with locals avoiding downtown and the strip like the plauge, and if your business isn't geared for the out of towner (many are not in Pgh) business goes to zero during the convention (what local would be crazy enough to do a days routine within 5 blocks of the Lawrence that week?).

There were usually standing-room-only businesses in Boston that by mid convention just shuttered themselves for the rest of the event after suffering days of ghost town like traffic in their little out of the way urban oasis.

NYC is big enough and vast enough that it didn't have as many problems like this--plus New Yorkers could really care less how many thousands invade the Garden from out of town, just another day in the big city to them.

This is what worries me most, the natives not going near the snack, gift, office supply, lunch, etc. businesses by the Convention Center or the Feds making a businesses doorstep a "security pen" or "media camp".

[Kasper]

Hmmm... I don't know what to think about this. I guess it depends on the bill. I don't really care about inconveniencing locals and local business for a week - I think it is worth it.

These conventions get huge national and international attention for the host city. They do all sorts of promos and stories on the history of the city, tv tours etc. These next couple of years are big for Pittsburgh with the 250 year aniversary, the US Open and the MLB All Star game - plus the casino, fifth and forbes and a new arena which all should be coming up in the next 2 years as well. Add a political convention to boot and this could be our chance to really change Pittsburgh's image.

I don't know it might be worth it. This city never allows itself to think big you know?

[TheGerbil]

I think the price tag would be worth it if the convention did a lot to improve our image. The question is: would it? Certainly the spotlight would be on us, and one can only assume that we'd get as much publicity as past host cities. But who knows.

On the whole I think it would be worth it. Making a good impression is much more likely than making a bad one, I think.

This city never allows itself to think big you know?

I think that is because of collective low-self esteem, and fear of looking bad. Take Detroit as an illustration. When they hosted the Super Bowl, locals were excited, but also nervous about having the spotlight on their town, considering its image problems. I think the situation for Pittsburgh is the same.

[PghUSA]

I wonder how aggressively two Democrats (Onorato and O'Connor) will court the GOP National committee, I would imagine that they will put on a good public face and try some, but will their heart really be in hosting the opposition, then again local politicos are much different in their beliefs then the national parties. Some major cities even have non-partisan rules because of it.

[UrbaniDesDev]

They better start building hotels now. I don't believe there is enough as things are now to accomadate such a large event. Any word on the progress of the Convention Center Hotel or have they shrunk it to the size of a Motel 6? I wish they would stick to the Convention Centers architects original plan.