The selection is in for Milwaukee hosting the Democratic National Convention, but now businesses are going to have to prepare for an influx of 50,000 visitors to the Brew City.
Business owners like Lincoln Fowler, who co-owns Colectivo Coffee, will be spending time and money for what they hope will turn into profit off those travelers. But he’s not pinpointing yet on preparation, but on the meaning of the spotlight the DNC will put on the city in what may be its biggest event ever.
“As the co-owner of Colectivo, this is for sure an opportunity for us to showcase who we are as a business, but my main focus is that the city gets the shine,” said Fowler to WTMJ’s Melissa Barclay.
“As far as changes that we’re going to make, this is still a little ways off, so we’ll focus on that later on.”
Fowler echoes the beliefs of many business owners who are waiting to reap the rewards, but are also showing civic pride that Milwaukee can take on such a large event that will put the city’s name out worldwide unlike any other in Milwaukee’s history.
“I’m just super excited for the city, so much so that the business part of it comes second. I’m just thrilled that the city is going to get some of the recognition that it really deserves,” Fowler added.
“As we’ve brought people in sometimes from out of town to look at what we do, they often come away remarking how they never really would have come to visit Milwaukee, but now that they’ve been here, they really love what the city is.”