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The contest commences. Choosing between the six possible cities which are in the running to host the 2016 Democratic National Convention might be hard work, but someone’s got to do it. Rising to the challenge are a group of officials from the Democratic Party led by DNC CEO Amy Dacey. Along for the ride are technical experts as well, examining the suitability of each town for the upwards of 50,000 guests expected to participate in the gathering.
The tour begins in Birmingham, Alabama, on July 21-22. Then off to Ohio where they will check out Cleveland on August 4-5 and Columbus on August 6-7. The following week will bring the delegation to Brooklyn, New York, from August 11th until the 12th. The following day they will tour Philadelphia until the 13th. The sixth and last city the group will visit will be Phoenix on September 10-11.
Republicans have already gone on their tours and are now deciding between Dallas and Cleveland for the 2016 GOP convention.
Up front and personal visits is the best way for the cities to influence the delegates to choose their city. City officials not only stick to the facts about whether their town can provide the security 50,000 visitors will require and other logistical details. Sometimes city officials arrange a bit of pure entertainment: in Dallas the city organized elephants to meet the GOP delegates; and in Cleveland the Republicans met with Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel for dinner.
Officials from the six competing cities submitted bids to the DNC during the week of June 23. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, chairwoman of the DNC said she hopes she will be able to announce the winning city late this year or early in 2015.
