CHARLOTTE, N.C. — RNC officials said they are pushing forward with an in-person convention in Charlotte this August and they hope to bring business back to the Queen City.
As coronavirus continues to cancel and postpone major events across the country, Vice President and Chief Information Officer Max Everett said they are moving forward with the Republican National Convention in Charlotte as scheduled for Aug. 24-27.
"We are really moving full steam ahead," Everett said.
Everett said the RNC will follow whatever guidelines are in place by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health officials. He said the convention isn’t working on any contingency plans in case the stay at home order is extended into the summer.
“As we think of planning and what is going to happen in August, which again is over 130 days away, we are thinking through what are the protocols that are going to change so we can put on an in-person event that is safe,” he said.
COVID-19 has changed the way leaders are planning the convention. RNC officials have been using video conferencing to plan the convention. A spring media walk-through of the Spectrum Center scheduled for next week will now be virtual. But when asked if it is possible the convention could go online-only, Everett said while could be virtual events like in years past, a full-on virtual convention is not being considered.
“Our focus is having the convention in person,” he said. “It is just going to be such a benefit for the city not only for that immediate kickoff of getting people back to work but it is going to show everyone across the world that Charlotte is open for business again.”
Charlotte hospitality leaders said that business is so desperately needed.
"Our industry has been devastated because of the coronavirus," Greater Charlotte Hospitality and Tourism Alliance President Mohammad Jenatian said. "For most people in our business right now, the glimmer of hope they all have, knowing that it is going to take a little time to get all of the business we had back, is having the RNC coming over here in August."
Jenatian said COVID-19 has ravaged the city’s hospitality industry. Between corporate travel cuts, restaurant closings and event cancellations, Jenatian said the convention has the potential to be the savior for many hotels and restaurants.
“God knows what happens if we are not back to normal by August. I hate to say it but we are all screwed,” Jenatian said. “If there was ever a time that all of us need to be excited about the RNC, this is it unfortunately, because of what happened. It makes the RNC a lot more significant.”
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