The View from the Villa!

It’s hard to believe that just a few weeks ago, Wisconsin was the center of political attention, hosting the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. This event came just four years after the Democratic National Convention was set to take place there, which was largely canceled due to COVID-19.

Milwaukee and the entire state of Wisconsin rolled out the red carpet for the convention. Although some local businesses faced challenges due to decreased foot traffic downtown, the overall reception was positive. Early estimates suggest that the convention will generate at least $200 million in economic impact.

Beyond the financial benefits, the convention offered a fantastic opportunity to showcase Wisconsin on a global stage. For the thousands of delegates and tens of thousands of media representatives from around the world, we put on an impressive show. Regardless of political affiliations, hosting such a major event is comparable to holding a Super Bowl or an All-Star Game. Research from Visit Milwaukee indicates that visitors who experience Milwaukee are likely to return.

Our Wisconsin Chapter seized this opportunity in collaboration with NAIOP Corporate. I, along with NAIOP Senior Vice President for Governmental Affairs, Aquiles Suarez, participated in numerous events and meetings throughout the city, engaging with Representatives, Senators, and their staffs. As I’ve always emphasized, casual conversations with policymakers and their aides can be incredibly influential. Notable highlights were attending a celebration for members of the powerful House Ways & Means Committee, and a private gathering with House Speaker Mike Johnson.

We also took advantage of the convention to strengthen our connections with Republican members of the Wisconsin Delegation. We attended events for Representatives Scott Fitzgerald and Brian Steil and organized a panel discussion with them and their colleague, Representative Tom Tiffany, exclusively for NAIOP members. NAIOP was the only organization outside the Republican Party to host three Wisconsin members of Congress in a single event.

During our event, we discussed key topics such as interest rates, regulations, infrastructure spending, and how our delegation can support the commercial real estate industry. We plan to host a similar event with Democratic members of the delegation following the DNC Convention in Chicago later this month.

From City Hall to the State Capitol to Washington, D.C., NAIOP is your advocate. Get involved by joining our Public Policy Committee, engaging with local and state officials, and supporting our political action committee, CORE PAC.

That’s the View from the Villa for now!

Jim Villa, CAE  
NAIOP Wisconsin CEO