Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau |
Greetings
On behalf of the more than 11.5 million people of the state of Illinois, we invite you to select Chicago as the site of the first Republican National Convention of the 21st Century. Chicago has proven, time and again, that playing host to such gatherings is not the daunting task it is for other cities. From transportation to accommodations, there is no match to Chicago. But other issues play a role in selecting a site for a political convention. Again, Chicago rises to the top of the list. Illinois' Republican heritage stretches from Abraham Lincoln's nomination at the historic Wigwam in 1860 to the election of our native son Ronald Reagan, who hails from Dixon and began his career in Chicago broadcasting. In total, eight Republican presidents have launched their campaigns from a podium in Chicago, and no GOP president has been elected without winning in Illinois. Business leaders throughout Illinois enthusiastically support the effort to bring the GOP convention to Chicago in the year 2000. We have assembled a committee of civic and business leaders who will lead our efforts to bring together the resources to guarantee that the convention will be an unqualified success. Chicago is unmatched in its ability to welcome tens of thousands of visitors with warmth and ease, and no state can equal Illinois' place in the annals of Republican history. We hope that in 2000 the GOP will return to, "Where it all began." Jim Edgar, Governor
Richard M. Daley, Mayor
The Key to Victory
It makes good political sense for the GOP to return to America's heartland to launch the fall campaign. Since Lincoln's time, no Republican presidential nominee has reached the White House without carrying Illinois. Few states boast a richer Republican history than Illinois. During this century, native sons like President Ronald Reagan and Senator Everett Dirksen have dominated the national stage with strong leadership and a commitment to Republican principles. For the last 22 years, Republican governors have earned national recognition for making Illinois a dynamic example of GOP initiative and innovation. Republicans currently control all six statewide constitutional offices, and Cook County, Chicago's home, remains the second largest Republican County in America. With the Midwest the key to the White House, it makes sense to begin the GOP's march to victory in the city with the richest Republican heritage in the nation. Where It All Began
Chicago and the Republican Party have shared a common heritage for over a century. Following his nomination at the Wigwam, Lincoln took the Party's founding principles of freedom and individual liberty to Washington and inspired future generations. At the same time, Chicago continued to grow into one of the nation's leading commercial centers with the resolve of a citizenry committed to hard work and self-determination. Our city's rich immigrant heritage and diverse ethnic neighborhoods have always been representative of America's diverse population and have been symbols to the world. Today, the state-of-the art United Center stands as a modern day Wigwam ready to host the Republican Party as it nominates leaders for a new century who remain dedicated to the same GOP ideals represented by Lincoln's triumph in Chicago. Our track record shows that we know what it takes to launch a successful Republican candidate for the presidency; you only have to say the word and we'll do it again. The Attraction of Chicago
The Republican National Convention in the year 2000 will usher in a new century of leadership and vision for America. At such a watershed point in history, hotel capacity, infrastructure and transportation should not be the GOP's biggest concerns. No other city in America can compare to Chicago's ability to host an event of such magnitude. Bringing together tens of thousands of delegates, party leaders, staff and media for a successful convention requires experience--the experience that comes from hosting more political conventions than any other city in history. Chicago is truly America's meeting place. Each year, millions of visitors flock to Chicago for conventions, hosting from a few hundred to a hundred thousand attendees. Party leaders won't have to worry about convention financing, lack of suitable hotel rooms, transportation nightmares or a lack of amenities--problems faced only too often in other convention cities. Chicago's accomodations, transportation, facilities and commitment to excellence will combine to create a near-flawless experience. Why take chances? Chicago has everything it takes to guarantee a successful convention--the know-how, the people, the money, the public support, the venues, the hotels, and that unique brand of hospitality that symbolizes the "City that Works." Chicago: Why Take Chances?
America's meeting place at a glance:
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