2024 RNC volunteer recruitment effort; Milwaukee to welcome thousands
MILWAUKEE - The MKE 2024 Host Committee launched on Friday, March 1 its formal volunteer recruitment efforts ahead of this summer’s Republican National Convention.
A news conference was held Friday where Host Committee leadership encouraged local engagement around welcoming thousands of guests to Milwaukee. More than 6,000 volunteers are going to be needed to run this event like organizers would like.
"How people are greeted and treated when visiting a city is so important to the impression they leave with," said Alison Prange, COO, MKE 2024 Host Committee. "So we are looking for you, everybody out there in the community to help us do that. Help give people a warm Wisconsin welcome."
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The Host Committee is inviting people to volunteer their time – and businesses to allow their workers to volunteer that time. If you are interested in taking part in the volunteer effort, you are urged to register now on the MKE 2024 Host Committee website.
"I think my presence here, speaks that to this is not about politics at all. What it is about is about Milwaukee having the greatest social as well as economic impact that we can have on this city. It was the mission when the DNC was to come to Milwaukee in 2020. And that goal hasn't changed with the opportunity to host the RNC, here this summer," said Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson.
Alison Prange, COO, MKE 2024 Host Committee
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson
"This isn't about wearing a red jersey or a blue jersey," said Tim Sheehy, Senior Advisor, Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC). "This is about putting on the green jersey and paying it forward. This is a great opportunity to volunteer to help showcase this region, to ring the cash register, to help bring other events back because of the experience that people have when they come here. So to employers, you can really help if you encourage your employees to volunteer."
"Volunteers will play a critical component of how we roll out the red carpet for each and every one of the 50,000 guests that are coming to visit, on top of a warm welcome," said Peggy Williams-Smith, CEO for VISIT Milwaukee.
RNC security perimeter
In February, the U.S. Secret Service revealed the rough security footprint, showing in what areas you might find restrictions.
The rough RNC security footprint extends from 9th Street on the west, Cherry Street on the north, Water Street on the east and Clybourn Street on the south.
The map is tentative and does not include where roads will be closed. It does not include "no parking" zones. It does not include where security checkpoints will be, but it is early notice to get ready. It's raising questions for people living inside the footprint.
It is expected there will be layers of increasing security, as you get closer to the main events – at Fiserv Forum, as well as Panther Arena and the Baird Center. There will be a hard perimeter with massive fencing closer to those facilities.
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If you have questions about how the RNC might impact you, there is a new "frequently asked questions" web page available, which the city just launched.
The RNC is taking place from July 15-18.