Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee

Local executives picked to lead DNC Host Committee

March 5, 2020 By MKE Community Journal Leave a Comment

Compiled by MCJ Editorial Staff

Retired YWCA Southeast Wisconsin CEO Paula Penebaker is the new chief operating officer of the Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee. She will join Raquel Filmanowicz, who will serve as the committee’s new chief executive officer.

The two replace Liz Gilbert and Adam Alonzo who were dismissed in February after reports of bullying and harassment in the workplace. DNC officials say an internal probe is being conducted to ensure a respectful and dignified office culture going forward.

Penebaker will be responsible for administering operations of the Host Committee and managing committee staff. Aside from her position with the YWCA, Penebaker was on the board of the Milwaukee Rotary Club. She currently serves on the board for Milwaukee World Festival, Inc.

Filmanowicz is a director of U.S. community giving for BMO Harris Bank. She previously served as health operations administrator and deputy chief of staff at the city of Milwaukee Health Department. Filmanowicz also serves as chair of the board of directors for Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee.

In a statement, Mayor Tom Barrett—who is the host committee co-chair (along with Cong. Gwen Moore)—said the women make an “ideal team” to lead the Host Committee because of their professional accomplishments and understanding of the community.

Noting Penebaker and Filmanowicz have served Milwaukee well for decades, Moore said she has no doubt the two will successfully lead the Host Committee as the city prepares for the DNC, which will be held in July.

The non-partisan host committee’s primary task is raising $70 million to host the convention, as well as recruiting 15,000 volunteers and directing a number of contracting and community engagement efforts.

Both women began their new roles this week.

Sources for this article: foxnews.com and urbanmilwaukee.com

Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee Launches Vendor Search Portal to Connect Convention Guests to Service Providers

February 24, 2020 By MKE Community Journal Leave a Comment

Over 1,100 service providers featured on searchable

database on the Host Committee website

MILWAUKEE—The Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee today launched its Vendor Search Portal, a digital search platform that features information about over 1,100 vendors who are interested in providing services to Democratic National Convention organizers and visitors leading up to and during the 2020 convention in July. The portal will serve as an essential resource for individuals and groups coming into town for the convention as they search for a variety of services while planning their convention week experiences.

Through the portal, users can narrow their search for relevant businesses according to the service provided, diversity classification or certification, business location, and more. The majority of providers listed on the portal are local to Wisconsin and represent a diverse array of vendors from across the region, including production companies, independent artists, drivers, language interpreters, caterers, and much more.

“Our goal at the Host Committee is to use the presence of the Democratic National Convention to highlight and uplift exceptional local and diverse businesses,” said Lafayette Crump, Deputy Chief of Staff and Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion at the Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee. “Our new Vendor Search Portal will help us fulfill that goal by connecting convention visitors to local businesses that will not only help them create unique convention experiences, but also help to ensure the economic impact of the convention is widely experienced throughout the Milwaukee region.”

“Connecting diverse businesses to the convention is an important priority and facilitating this with an online portal is valuable to everyone in Milwaukee,” said Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, Co-Chair of the Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee.

Through the Vendor Sign-Up page on the Milwaukee 2020 website, vendors of all types and sizes are invited to submit relevant information about their businesses and the services they provide. The details collected are then transferred into the Vendor Search Portal, which will be updated on a rolling basis to accommodate recent submissions.

“From the very beginning of this journey, we have placed the highest emphasis on creating real opportunities for diverse businesses to get involved in the convention,” said Representative Gwen Moore, Co-Chair of the Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee. “The launch of the vendor portal is a significant step in the process, and I hope that diverse businesses continue to sign up on the portal to help us showcase the Milwaukee story to the world.”

“Our clients are often looking for ways to plug into the community,” said Maysee Herr, Executive Director of the Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce. “The convention is a perfect way for them to do just that while experiencing its economic impact.”

The content featured in each listing has been provided by the vendors themselves. To inquire about pricing and availability, groups are encouraged to contact vendors directly. Any other questions can be directed to the Host Committee at [email protected].

The Vendor Search Portal can be viewed here: https://www.milwaukee2020.com/vendor-search

The Vendor Sign-Up page can be viewed here: https://www.milwaukee2020.com/vendor-sign-up

In December 2019, the Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee launched a similar portal for local venues. The Venue Search Portal now features over 600 venues from across the region and can be viewed at milwaukee2020.com/venue-search.

The Democratic National Convention will take place in Milwaukee from July 13-16, 2020. The convention is estimated to bring approximately 50,000 visitors to Milwaukee and have a $200 million economic impact on the city and surrounding region.

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About the Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee

The Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee is responsible for funding, organizing, and hosting the Democratic National Convention. Through community engagement, grassroots fundraising, and intentional inclusion, the Host Committee works to ensure that the convention builds capacity for and makes a lasting, positive impact on Milwaukee and the surrounding region. This is not just a convention in Milwaukee, it’s a convention with Milwaukee. Learn more at Milwaukee2020.com, or follow the Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

TOMORROW: Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee Shares Volunteer Update and Announcement

January 30, 2020 By MKE Community Journal Leave a Comment

Host Committee partners with Milwaukee Public Library to expand access to registration for volunteer opportunities

MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee today launched its official volunteer portal, where those interested in becoming Milwaukee 2020 volunteers can register and build their volunteer profiles. The portal will serve as an essential resource for volunteers leading up to and during the Democratic National Convention in July, allowing them to view opportunities as they become available, apply for shifts, communicate with convention organizers, and more.

“The 2020 Democratic National Convention simply would not be possible without a robust, diverse, and engaged team of 15,000 volunteers,” said Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee President Liz Gilbert. “With the launch of our official volunteer portal, the Host Committee is thrilled to capitalize on the excitement we’ve seen from those interested in volunteering and invite those individuals to begin this historic journey with us.”

Over the last several months, more than 10,000 individuals have expressed their interest in volunteering for the Host Committee and the convention. Today, with over five months until the convention kicks off in Milwaukee, those individuals received a notification to move on to the next phase of the process by completing their profiles on the portal. Those who have not yet indicated their interest can sign up at milwaukee2020.com/volunteer.

CEO Joe Solmonese.

To help breakdown potential barriers to registration, the Host Committee has also announced a partnership with Milwaukee Public Library (MPL). Through the partnership, each of MPL’s 13 branches across the city will have a designated computer station and instructional signage for volunteer registration, and library staff members will be able to assist volunteers through the registration process.

“The energy and enthusiasm we feel from the Milwaukee community each day as we prepare to

welcome the 2020 Democratic National Convention has been incredible, and we are excited

that this go-to resource is now available for all those who ask us how they can be a part of this

historic moment,” said Democratic National Convention Committee

“Through this tool, we will be able to smartly engage the thousands of volunteers it will take to

put on this marquee event.”

“Our mission at Milwaukee Public Library is to help residents read, learn, and connect — not only to our resources but also with each other and with their community,” said Paula Kiely, Milwaukee Public Library Director. “As we look to promote civic literacy and engagement throughout the city, we’re proud to support the Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee in their efforts to reach volunteers from every neighborhood.”

As part of the partnership, additional volunteers and community partners will be present at the Mitchell Street, East, and Martin Luther King branch libraries on Saturdays in February and March to assist individuals who need language, technological, or other support during the registration process. More detailed information on those opportunities will become available at milwaukee2020.com/volunteer.

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About Milwaukee Public Library

Milwaukee Public Library is an anchor institution that helps build healthy families and vibrant neighborhoods – the foundation of a strong Milwaukee. Since 1878, Milwaukee Public Library has been a free provider of education and information for residents of Milwaukee and beyond. With 14 locations, and more than three million items in circulation, MPL offers free access to a rich collection of materials both physical and digital, access to technology, classes, exhibitions, programming and more. From toddlers to scholars, MPL serves more than two million patrons who come through its doors annually and from around the globe who use its resources at http://www.mpl.org/. To offer this wide array of free programming, MPL relies on both public and private funding. Learn more about how to support Milwaukee Public Library at mpl.org/support.