Can Chicago, Dems Attain PR Victory with 2024 DNC?

For the first time in 28 years, Chicago will host the Democratic National Convention.  The powerhouse political event will take place in the Windy City this summer from August 19-22.

Though it has held more political conventions, both Democratic and Republican, than any other city, Chicago has only hosted two in the past 56 years.  And both of those events offered dramatic contrasts.

The turbulent 1968 DNC is remembered most for its violence and confrontations with antiwar protestors.  The result was a defeat for the Democratic nominee, Hubert Humphrey, who lost a close race to Richard Nixon.  Due in large part to the negativity of that event, the city would not host another political gathering for the next 28 years until 1996.

That year marked President Bill Clinton's campaign for a second term.

Chicago rose to the occasion by holding a relatively benign convention that resulted in an easy re-election victory for the Clinton-Gore ticket.

Now with the summer of 2024 fast approaching in what is already shaping up to be a volatile election year, what steps can the city and the Democratic Party take to ensure a successful convention that will propel its likely nominee, President Joe Biden, to another four years in the White House?

For Chicago, the stakes from a PR viewpoint are particularly high.  Presiding over a successful convention can be a big boost for a city that's been reeling from recent bad press about rising crime, shootings and the influx of migrants from Texas.

To DeRondal Bevly, president of the Publicity Club of Chicago (PCC), one of the nation's largest PR associations, the DNC provides a special opportunity for the city to mitigate those negative headlines by highlighting the many organizations that are on the front lines working to solve the problems that are often the root causes of crime and violence.

 "These organizations and the individuals that power them are key stakeholders in the work that is being done, on a variety of levels, to create brighter tomorrows for their communities." he adds.

Along those lines, Bevly emphasizes the need for city officials and convention planners to focus on the life-changing stories that are happening everyday throughout the metro area.

"By showcasing these problem solvers, it re-enforces the notion that the Biden administration is also engaged in finding solutions to vexing challenges and trying to make life better for all Americans and as such is deserving of re-election, which is the ultimate goal of the convention," he states.

Bevly, who is also a respected professor at Columbia College Chicago, stresses the need for the city and its communities to build on the positive energy that will generated by the DNC to ensure long-term growth.

"Allow it to open doors, and create opportunities for the key discussions, partnerships, and relationship building that will propel our communities for another 100 years!"

Rick Jasculca, a PR veteran who co-owns his own prestigious firm, agrees that good story telling is essential to a winning convention.

He encourages the city to showcase all the things that are working and to use the opportunity to tell the positive stories that are happening not only in the city but throughout the metro area, including the collar counties that surround Chicago.

"Story telling, particularly stories involving young people can pay big PR dividends," he maintains. "It also is a positive way to encourage them to get more involved in the political process."

Jasculca, who has closely advised Democratic presidents, can't emphasize enough the importance of having a sound strategy in place.

"The keys to a successful convention are smart planning with an emphasis on an overall strategy that's clear and well coordinated," he says, noting that a sound strategy will help drive tactics.

As an example, he points out that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott will no doubt be sending extra busses of migrants to Chicago during the DNC to highlight the border issue, which many see as a vulnerability for President Biden. 

"I would anticipate that both the city and DNC officials anticipate that move and will have a strategy in place to frame it in as positive a light as they can,"Jasculca says.

David Brimm, another highly regarded PR practitioner and past five term PCC president, feels that the city's world class attractions, which will wow delegates, will help contribute to a successful convention.

"Chicago is truly one of the most beautiful cities in the world with an abundance of superb museums, parks, fine restaurants, sporting events and colorful neighborhoods with their own distinct personalities," he observes. "Let visitors appreciate our rich history and stunning architecture."  

He believes that another narrative city officials and convention planners need to tell is that Chicago continues to be a great magnet for people from all over the world who come here seeking a better life.  That storyline is also in keeping with the national Democratic Party's focus on celebrating diversity and promoting equity.

"Chicago's Democrats have turned us into the "City that Works,"  Brimm notes," And this same can-do spirit must be re-enforced by the national Democratic Party." 

"Democrats get things done for all people, not just the privileged few. There's a reason they keep getting elected, and it's no longer based on the Democratic machine. They care about the people that elected them, unlike the GOP candidate."

Brinton Flowers, managing director at the award-winning Flowers Communications Group, points out that hosting the 2024 Democratic National Convention enables the city to attract positive attention and demonstrate its continued capacity to resource and accommodate large scale, national events. 

 "For instance, in recent years Chicago has been the host city for the NBA All-Star Weekend and the official NASCAR race, both of which proved to be favorable experiences not only for attendees, but local businesses overall," he notes.

In addition, Flowers observes that holding the convention here will help boost the local economy by generating revenue, providing employment opportunities, and deepening the investment in key communities via the DNC’s Neighborhood Ambassador Program.

He adds that city leadership can also help mitigate concerns by leveraging event promotion materials and other communication that highlights investment opportunities, cultural diversity, tourist attractions and economic growth prospects.

Flowers believes that both the city and Democratic Party have already started out strong in their collective efforts to ensure a successful convention.

"City officials understand that Chicagoans are more receptive to major events happening here when they feel seen, heard, respected, and included," he maintains. "They have been at work for months with plans to incorporate communities, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and other stakeholders in meaningful, impactful ways."

Flowers encourages city leaders and the Democratic Party to continue its partnership approach up until and through the convention.  

"As the saying goes, “Start out like you can hold out,” he maintains.

Moving forward, Flowers agrees with Jasculca that all efforts must continue to be strategic and authentic, with the appropriate stakeholders brought to the table to ensure inclusivity and equity, especially across communities and populations that are often left out. 

"That’s the recipe for success for the 2024 Democratic National Convention!" he maintains.