tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6495998.post4432165042028697931..comments2023-10-28T06:54:27.719-06:00Comments on The World, According To Me: SLC a bad Choice for 2012 GOP ConventionBobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04904969537714974512noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6495998.post-1229209781502894962009-12-24T14:14:48.154-07:002009-12-24T14:14:48.154-07:00Having attended - and been the Utah arrangements c...Having attended - and been the Utah arrangements chair - for five national political conventions, I do think that Salt Lake is capable of hosting the 2012 GOP convention. <br /><br />As to the political wisdom of choosing Salt Lake -- that is for the RNC to decide.<br /><br />You are right about the TRAX situation and the intermodal hub. This was a problem in Boston and New York, too. The convention centers were located at major public transportation sites that were indeed locked down to the locals great annoyance. You are also right about the strain on local police forces.<br /><br />As to the timing, the GOP as the Party out of the White House, traditionally would go first. I would think that ES Arena could be back in operation by or shortly after Labor Day. I know that in Chicago at the United Center, they hosted a major concert less than ten days later.<br /><br />As for the media tents, I suspect that they would simply close 300 W and other surrounding streets to make room. Triad would have VERY limited access -- in fact they would want to close it up for the week -- and Gateway might well become unavailable to locals, too.<br /><br />Finally, there is the matter of $60 million dollars for the host committee -- most of which would have to come from local sources and are used for all the events that take place outside the official convention center venue. If Utah lobbyists think they are put upon for funding now, just wait for something like this. Denver and Minniapolis/St Paul had significant problems raising their committments in 2008.<br /><br />Our hotels are not ideal in size or location, either. But we wouldn't be the first city with that kind of problem, either. In fact, it is becoming the norm outside the largest cities. Even Los Angeles was not totally adequate with delegates spread all the way from Long Beach to the valley.<br /><br />Of course, Las Vegas is the ideal. There are more hotel rooms on the corner of Las Vegas Blvd and Tropicana than on the entire island of Manhattan. The facilities would be top notch. Security is tight.<br /><br />But then the parties think of politics and all the advantages of Las Vegas go out the window. So, you never know what the criteria will be for the final decision.Toddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18221127646007959249noreply@blogger.com