Average GOP convention-goer to spend $1,600 in Minn.
01/15/2008
By Martiga Lohn,
Associated Press
Last update: January 14, 2008
All the extras involved in attending the Republican National Convention in St. Paul in September will set the average visitor back $1,600, according to the Minneapolis-Saint Paul Host Committee.
Hotels will soak up the largest share, followed by restaurants and bars. Convention-goers are also expected to shell out for taxis, rental cars, shopping outings, golfing, theater tickets and other diversions. The estimates assume visitors will stay six days, although the convention itself lasts only four.
"For many folks that are coming, this is kind of their vacation for the year," said Matt Burns, a spokesman for the Republican National Committee's convention committee. "They're certainly looking to make the most of it."
Officials expect the Sept. 1-4 convention at Xcel Energy Center to draw nearly 35,000 people, including 4,600 delegates and alternates and 15,000 media representatives. The entire event is projected to bring $160 million of new spending to Minnesota.
More than half that amount is for security and organizers' preparations and related costs.
The convention itself is free, but only those with credentials can get in.
Among the attendees, the biggest spenders are expected to be the unofficial visitors, including families and friends of delegates but also benefactors who tend to spend freely, said Jeff Larson, who heads the host committee. They're expected to spend nearly $1,700 each during their stay.
Advance teams preparing for the convention should also part with some serious cash — an average of almost $2,000 per person, according to the figures.
The estimates are based on analyses of the 2004 Boston and New York conventions and backed up by the state Department of Employment and Economic Development.
"From everybody's best guess, this is what will be spent in Minnesota's economy," said Bob Isaacson, an economist at the agency who leads communications, analysis and research.