SUBJECT: Resolution assuring certain City services to the Democratic National Committee as part of a bid to host the 2020 Democratic National Convention.
RECOMMENDATION: (Summary)
Approve a resolution in support of assuring certain City services to the Democratic National Committee in an effort to host the Democratic National Convention in 2020.
SPECIFIC EXPLANATION:
The City of Houston is bidding to host the Democratic National Convention in the summer of 2020. Hosting the convention and related events generates international goodwill and prestige for the host city while providing substantial economic benefits and financial activity.
The average total economic impact from the 2016 Convention in Philadelphia was estimated to be $230.9 Million. In addition to the 5,783 convention attendees, the event drew 19,250 members of the media and 29,000 additional visitors to the city, resulting in 87,000 room nights. In addition, the convention media coverage resulted in 26.2 million national and international media impressions for the host city.
Houston representatives are scheduled to present the City’s bid to the Democratic National Committee in June of 2018, seeking to make the short list of cities that will be seriously considered as hosts for the 2020 Democratic National Convention. The Committee will make its designation in January 2019. The Committee has requested a declaration of support for the host city concerning the performance of reasonable and necessary government services in connection with the Democratic National Convention and related official events as part of the formal bid.
State law allows counties and municipalities to request the Texas Comptroller to establish an Other Events Trust Fund in connection with certain events. Various incremental tax revenues (with a 6.25 times match of State tax revenues) are placed in the Other Events Trust Fund and are used toward satisfying expenses incurred for the event. If City Council approves the resolution, and if the City is designated as the site for the 2020 Democratic National Convention, the City Council is authorizing the City to request the Comptroller to initiate and establish an Other Events Trust Fund for the Convention and related official events. Thereafter, City Council would be asked to approve the City’s share of local matching funds (which will be matched 6.25 times by the State) and a Joinder Agreement with the Host Committee, detailing the use and expenditure of funds from the Other Events Trust Fund
The City is working jointly with Houston First and essential partners, including The Houston Rockets, Greater Houston Partnership, Downtown Management District, hoteliers, and METRO. As with Super Bowl LI and other national competitively bid events, a host committee will be formed to manage the local activities of the Convention.
City Council will be committing support services (including special event services, fire, police, medical emergency, traffic, airport and public works/street maintenance) reasonably necessary to the success of the 2020 Democratic National Convention. The City is committing support services with the understanding that the Host Committee will reimburse the City for its actual costs for providing these services, as with Super Bowl LI. As part of the bid, Houston First Corporation agrees to provide the George R. Brown Convention Center as the site for the Convention Media Center, Credential Office and other space as required. The Houston Rockets have agreed to provide the Toyota Center as the official Convention site.
City Council is urged to approve this resolution to provide certain services in an effort to secure the host role for the 2020 Democratic National Convention.
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Susan Christian
Director, Special Events