Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1250928
B M & T ••• January/February 2020 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 28 the world enters a new decade, the city of Milwaukee enters a new era. The "city on the rise" has risen as made apparent by the conventions and events that have chosen Milwaukee as its host city. USA Gymnastics – March Considered the most prestigious gymnastics competition in the world, the USA Gymnastics 2020 American Cup will visit Milwaukee for the first time March 7 at Fiserv Forum with the Nastia Liukin Cup taking place the evening of March 6. The event is expected to bring more than 8,000 visitors to Milwaukee for an economic impact of more than $500,000. Moose International – May What began as a fraternal organization for men to socially gather is now a community service powerhouse. From May 21 through May 26, Moose's 2020 Annual North American comes to Milwaukee bringing 8,000 attendees and more than $8 million in estimated economic impact. Democratic National Convention – July DNC 2020 takes place July 13-16 and will be a citywide event with all of Milwaukee coming together to host one of its biggest par- ties. About 50,000 delegates, media, and guests will descend on the Brew City for an estimated economic impact of $200 million. Though not the largest event Milwaukee has hosted in terms of attendees, the greater exposure as well as multiple venues involved makes the DNC a bigger opportunity for the city. USA Triathlon – August The USA Triathlon came to Milwaukee in 2015 and now it returns for two straight years. Milwaukee will host the 2020 and 2021 Toyota USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships. The 2020 event will take place Aug. 7-9 bringing over 13,000 visitors to the city as well as an estimated economic impact of $6 million. Ryder Cup – September The Ryder Cup is considered the Super Bowl of golf, and it heads to Whistling Straits in the Greater Milwaukee area from Sept. 22-27. The event is expected to bring up to 50,000 visitors per day to the area for an estimated economic impact of $135 million. Society of American Travel Writers Annual Meeting – October Society of American Travel Writers brings 300 attendees to one of the nation's most underrated cities Oct. 15-20. The 2020 SATW Milwaukee conference will have an estimated economic impact of more than $936,500 for the Greater Milwaukee area. Attendees will explore Milwaukee through various themed day tours during the conference as well as tours throughout Wisconsin before and after the conference. WHY DID THESE CONVENTIONS CHOOSE MILWAUKEE? This great place on a Great Lake allows visitors to experience a perfect blend of a freshwater coastline and the big city. Yes, it has a convention center campus that includes an arena, a theatre, and connecting hotels in the heart of downtown. But meetings can branch out even more into the city with waterside activities and even floating venues adding to the event possibilities. Fiserv Forum is one of the city's newest attractions and event spaces as well as its Deer District entertainment block. USA Gymnastics and the DNC have made the arena its venue, not to mention local organizations like Northwestern Mutual utilizing the brand new facility. Hotels in Milwaukee offer many options for attendees to rest their heads offering more than 17,000 hotel rooms. Based on proposals and plans, Milwaukee is expected to add around 2,000 more hotel rooms by the end of 2020. The City of Neighborhoods represents many facets of the nation and the world. A Milwaukee meeting is a global experience in many ways, and attendees love being educated and entertained in this diverse city featur- ing 191 distinct neighborhoods. Milwaukee's world-class attractions are both off-the-beaten-path activities and one-of-a-kind event spaces, from the flying Milwaukee Art Museum on the water to a beer baron's preserved mansion. The City of Festivals knows how to throw a party. All work and no play is not how Milwaukee does meetings. Festivals are a regular occurrence year-round, but there's a bash nearly every week during summer months. Milwaukee's new streetcar, The Hop, creates added transportation in an already walkable city. Planned expansions will offer more options to get around the city. Milwaukee's dedicated CVB staff helps conventions large and small have unique meetings experiences and connect to the resources that planners need. AS