June 6, 2020

Erik Walsh
City Manager
115 Plaza de Armas, 2nd Floor
San Antonio, Texas 78205

City Manager Erik Walsh:

In the wake of the recent announcement that the Republican National Convention will be moved
out of Charlotte, N.C., Visit San Antonio has been approached by local business leaders
regarding our destination’s capability and willingness to host the event.
The convention, scheduled for Aug. 24-27, is projected to attract approximately 20,000 people
and generate more than $50 million for the host community. It’s expected that The Republican
National Committee will hold a portion of the program, such as rules and platform committee
meetings, in Charlotte and move the more public and well-attended schedule, including
nominations and speeches, to another site.
A decision likely will be made quickly by the GOP. Visit San Antonio, responding to local
partners including hotels, restaurants and attractions – all decimated financially this year by the
coronavirus pandemic – has begun the process of researching availability to accommodate the
convention.
This includes gauging the city’s interest in the opportunity.
The Alamodome and our downtown hotels are open on those dates, but Visit San Antonio is also
investigating other sites. Officials tell us that federally allocated dollars for security and other
needs are dedicated to the host community, and the local and state GOP would tackle other
financial needs through fundraising. The event would require the cooperation of the City of San
Antonio through commitment of law enforcement and permitting, among other requirements.
With Texas increasingly reopening its doors after months of immobility due to COVID-19, Visit
San Antonio is being as proactive as possible in seeking financial recovery for the city’s
economy. The tourism and hospitality sector, San Antonio’s third-largest industry, has been
particularly ravaged, including nearly 31,000 unemployment claims in March and April in hotel
and restaurant positions.
But this is a new day and a new environment. Pursuing significant meeting opportunities like this
will play a large role in that revitalization.
We look forward to hearing from you.

Respectfully,

Casandra Matej
President & CEO
Visit San Antonio