4 Ways To Get Involved In DNC

Fiserv Forum. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.

The 2020 Democratic National Convention will be held in Milwaukee, and as the saying goes “it takes a village.” The convention will take place from July 13th through July 16th, with approximately 50,000 people coming to the city. The host committee is touting a $200 million economic impact.

There are a number of ways you can get involved in the action, be it for pride or profit. You could make a buck, or, just maybe, you could be the volunteer that points Joe Biden to the best ice cream shop in town.

1. Volunteer

“We are looking for 12,000 of my closest friends to volunteer,” said Mayor Tom Barrett at the press conference announcing the convention. A sign-up form is available online.

Volunteers will help do everything from supporting the 7,000 delegates to assisting with the logistics of navigating the city. A limited number of paid positions are available as well.

2. Register Your Business

Do you sell a widget or provide a service the host committee and its attendees could possibly need? The host committee is collecting suppliers, including their status as disadvantaged business enterprises, to support spreading the wealth. Sign-up online.

3. Rent A Room in Your House on Airbnb

You’ve no doubt heard that hotels are going to be in short supply. Airbnb, an online rental platform which was actually founded around the 2009 Presidential inauguration, helps you to turn your house into a source of short term income. Rent out the whole thing or just a room. Airbnb even provides insurance and a screening mechanism.

Want a sense of how much cash is at stake? Developer Ryan Pattee is attempting to rent out a fully-furnished, three-bedroom apartment in Walker’s Point for $2,999 a night during the convention.

Become a host.

4. Donate to the Host Committee

It’s going to cost a lot to host the DNC, and the city won’t be chipping in. According to Barrett, approximately $50 million remains to be privately raised to host the event. Approximately $11 million has been pledged already.

Milwaukee Bucks vice president Alex Lasry leads the fundraising effort in his role as chair of The Good Land, the non-profit entity serving as the host committee. If you’ve got deep pockets, he wants to hear from you.