Minneapolis to bid for 2012 DNC convention

Riot police at the 2008 RNC. Photo: Tim Roman

Even as court cases continue over protests at the RNC two years ago, Minneapolis officials have been preparing to bid for the 2012 Democratic National Convention, the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal reported on Thursday. Meet Minneapolis, the city’s convention and visitors bureau, has been preparing the bid since January and is working with city officials on the proposal. Friday is the deadline for cities to submit their bids.

“We just have to play our game,” Meet Minneapolis President and CEO Melvin Tennant told the Journal. “I think we have some really interesting advantages from having hosted a major convention before, as well as other major events, such as the Alcoholics Anonymous convention in 2000. We’ve hosted a Super Bowl and a Final Four. Not many cities have those credentials.”

Along with Minneapolis, St. Louis is planning to make a bid, as is Charlotte, North Carolina. Also rumored to be bidding are Cleveland, Philadelphia and Phoenix.

Hat tip: MPR’s News Cut.