DNC 2016 Birmingham
DNC 2016 Birmingham was a promotional campaign to lobby the Democratic National Committee to hold its 2016 National Convention in Birmingham, in advance of the 2016 presidential election.
Birmingham was listed as a finalist for the event, along with New York City; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Phoenix, Arizona; Cleveland, Ohio and Columbus, Ohio. In July Cleveland was selected to host the 2016 Republican National Convention. Mayor William Bell spearheaded the campaign, with chief of staff Chuck Faush organizing the details. The city spent $275,000 on consulting services to coordinate the bid.
Birmingham hosted a delegation of 14 committee members, including CEO Amy Dacey, for an official visit on July 21–22, 2014. The visit kicked off with a "Pitch Party" at Iron City with a performance by Just A Few Cats and a balloon drop. Mayor Bell was joined by U.S. Representative Terri Sewell and all nine members of the Birmingham City Council.
It was predicted that if the city were selected, that the BJCC would need about $30 million in upgrades on top of $49 million security infrastructure which could be funded by federal grants.
Most analysts believed that the city's bid was a long shot at best, especially given the competition, but some expressed that even making the pitch was a valuable way to bring attention to the city's convention facilities and attractions. Ultimately Philadelphia was chosen as the site for the 2016 Convention.
Ten years later, Bell and Faush agreed that the effort had more than paid off by establishing relationships that brought more conventions to the city, as well as federal funding for transit and other priorities.
References
- Bryant, Joseph D. (July 20, 2014) "As Democratic National Convention Birmingham visit starts, officials ready to showcase all Magic City has to offer." The Birmingham News
- Bryant, Joseph D. (July 22, 2024) "Is Birmingham ready? "Heck yes!" Full house presents spirited reception for Democratic National Committee." The Birmingham News
- Bryant, Joseph D. (August 21, 2024) "How a failed bid to host the Democratic National Convention taught Birmingham to ‘dream big’." AL.com