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Beyond the speeches and the elbow rubbing, the convention means money.
“It’s not about politics. It’s really about business,” said Cyndi Lesher, Minnesota Host Committee President, to about 20 Winona Area Chamber of Commerce members at Jefferson’s Pub and Grill on Wednesday.
The Republican Convention, which will be held Sept. 1-4 in the Twin Cities, will generate $150 million to $200 million for the state’s economy from event-related sales, Lesher said.
It’s expected to draw more than 45,000 people, including 15,000 media professionals, she said.
“People from all over the world will be focused on Minnesota,” Lesher said. “We know what we’re proud of, and now we want the whole world to know.”
If it goes well, Lesher said, Minnesota proves it can do anything.
The exposure will increase tourism, create a national impression about the state and showcase Minnesota’s ability to host other big conventions in the future, she said. It’s why Minnesota aggressively bid to host one of the political conventions.
“If we weren’t doing the Republican Convention, we’d be doing the Democratic Convention. They scooped them by three or four days,” she said.
Lesher serves the fundraising post full time while on paid leave from her job as president of Xcel Energy’s Northern States Power subsidiary. She and the host committee have raised $58 million for the event.
“We’re lucky to have 19 Fortune 500 companies in Minnesota and people understand the civic piece, and don’t make it a partisan issue,” Lesher said. “It’s a part of history.”
The convention’s economic stimulus may not trickle down to Winona directly, Lesher said, but area residents and businesses can take part by being one of the 10,000 volunteers needed.
Companies with unique made-in-Minnesota products can also apply to be a vendor for CivicFest at the Minneapolis Convention Center Aug. 29 through Sept. 4.
Made for visitors and residents, CivicFest will display interactive exhibits that celebrate the American presidency — first-family pets, first-lady gowns, a replica of the Oval Office and all
12 presidential libraries. A live stage of lectures will also feature political memorabilia, modeled after PBS’s “Antiques Roadshow.”
Lesher said her job is really about Sept. 5.
“I want them to think when they leave in a car or plane, ‘Wow! Who knew?’” she said. “We want them to remember Minnesota nice.”
Contact reporter Amber Dulek at amber.dulek@lee.net or (507) 453-3513.
