|  We reported in January that they were looking at it, we told you in March why they should get it, and now we have official word that St. Louis will be bidding to host the 2012 Democratic National Convention:
St. Louis is preparing a bid to host the 2012 Democratic National Convention, an event that would bring with it a regional economic impact of tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars and a nearly unparalleled media spotlight.
Kitty Ratcliffe, president of the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission (CVC), is assembling the bid materials ahead of a May 21 deadline.
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The convention would be held at Scottrade Center through an agreement with arena owner SCP Worldwide. The America’s Center convention complex, including the Edward Jones Dome, would be used to host related special events and a media center.
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St. Louis will undoubtedly face stiff competition. Cleveland and Charlotte are known to be preparing bids and many more cities should surface once bids are submitted.
St. Louis lost its most recent bid for a national political convention in 1988 when the Republican Party chose the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans as its site to nominate George H.W. Bush for president. St. Louis last hosted a national political convention in 1916 when the Democrats converged here to nominate President Woodrow Wilson. The city also held the Democratic conventions in 1876, 1888 and 1904 and the Republican convention in 1896.
Insiders tell DemConWatch that St. Louis is the likely frontrunner to host the convention. Its competition includes Phoenix, which is also bidding for the GOP Convention, Charlotte, who has been discussing a bid for a while, and a newcomer to the process, Cleveland. The convention will start on Sept. 3, 2012. You can follow St. Louis' bid here of course but also on their website at STL2012.org and on twitter @STLdnc2012 DNC:
Charlotte, Cleveland, Phoenix, St. Louis
RNC:
Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Tampa Bay 2012 Democratic National Convention Site Selection News
2012 Republican National Convention Site Selection News Update: We're hearing that Chicago is also on the DNC's short list. |
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