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SALT LAKE CITY -- A high-level delegation from the National Republican Party will arrive in Utah Monday on a scouting trip. They'll be sizing up Salt Lake City as a possible location for the 2012 Republican National Convention two years from now.
It would be Utah's biggest convention ever. A lot of people consider it unlikely for Salt Lake to be chosen, but Salt Lake did beat out two dozen other contenders to make it into the final three. Now it's Salt Lake versus Phoenix, Ariz., versus Tampa, Fla.
The 23 national Republican Party officials will be checking out hotels, the airport, the transportation system and the two convention venues downtown. They'll also get some schmoozing from local boosters.
Scott Beck, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau said, "This is a huge deal for the city, second only to the Olympics in scale."
EnergySolutions Arena would host more than 4,000 conventioneers as they choose the Republican presidential candidate in 2012. The Salt Palace would host 5,000 media people. In all, at least 35,000 visitors would stay four to 10 days.
"Looking at what Minneapolis experienced in 2008, their studies showed that $168 million was left behind in the community by this convention," Beck said.
Utah Republicans hope the site selection committee will reward the reddest of red states.
Chairman of the Utah Republican Party Dave Hansen said, "I think that they'll look at what city is going to provide them the best opportunity to showcase Republicanism and Republican values. And there's no state better suited for that than Utah."
Salt Lake's toughest competitor may be Tampa in the big swing state of Florida.
"They've run twice and come in second twice. I'm sure there's going to be some of that ‘Let's give it to them, they've tried!' But we're gonna give it our best shot and see what happens," Hansen said.
Some party leaders have expressed concern that a convention so close to Temple Square might generate unwanted controversy about gay rights and would focus extra attention on the faith of presidential contender Mitt Romney.
"That brings up some interesting dynamics to it, but Mitt Romney will either win or lose the nomination on his own abilities, and it won't be based on where the convention is going to be held," Hansen said.
The site selection committee will make its recommendation a few weeks from now. The Republican National Committee will officially choose the winning city in July, giving the winning city two years to prepare.
E-mail: hollenhorst@ksl.com
