CHARLOTTE, NC — Channel 9 has learned that Charlotte is a finalist to host the 2020 Republican National Convention along with Las Vegas and one or two other cities. That according to senior Republican Party sources.
A total of seven cities submitted bids. The sources said Charlotte's success hosting the Democratic National Convention in 2012 along with a large airport and lots of flight choices are a big part of why.
The RNC is expected to make a recommendation to President Donald Trump by August 1, per sources. An announcement is anticipated by the end of the summer.
In 2012, the Democratic National Convention brought in more than $163 million for the city.
"The real impact for Charlotte is the economic impact that I hope will exceed over $100 million,” Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles told Channel 9 in February as the city was preparing its bid to host the event.
The city is working on having at least four more hotels built with thousands of additional rooms to accommodate the RNC and even bigger events in the future.
City officials said hosting the RNC in 2020 could possibly open other doors in the future, like hosting the Super Bowl or the Olympics.
2012 didn't come without problems or headaches for Charlotteans, however. Protesters and checkpoints shut down streets, and terrorist threats brought unprecedented security concerns.
The DNC brought 35,000 people to Charlotte. It was the single largest event in the city’s history.
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