Charlotte vs. Jacksonville-Which city would be the better host for the RNC (state, cons)

[hickoryfan]

Two big Southern cities. Charlotte lost the convention due to COVID-19 concerns. Which city do you think would be the better host.
Things to consider:
Hotels/housing
Restaurants
Arenas/Convention Center
Transit opportunities: city transit, light rail, shuttle buses
Entertainment
Ease of getting to the city from the airport.

Please list factors you think would give one city an edge over another

[JMatl]

Originally Posted by hickoryfan

Two big Southern cities. Charlotte lost the convention due to COVID-19 concerns. Which city do you think would be the better host.
Things to consider:
Hotels/housing
Restaurants
Arenas/Convention Center
Transit opportunities: city transit, light rail, shuttle buses
Entertainment
Ease of getting to the city from the airport.

Please list factors you think would give one city an edge over another

Charlotte has more hotel rooms, an activated and functional Downtown, Light Rail and a major hub Airport.

I like Jacksonville, but it is clearly a tier below. When they hosted the Super Bowl, they had to use cruise ships due to the hotel shortage Downtown. They do have the elevated skyway system, but it is small and only runs around Downtown and the Southbank. It wouldn't be of much use to visitors. They have a nice Airport, but the only flights are to various hubs. There are no nonstops to the West Coast.

Charlotte is the superior choice here.

The only reason this is happening is because the Governor of NC is sensibly enforcing the use of masks and social distancing in the Arena on the night of Trump's nomination. Trump is of course balking at that, so here we are. Look no further than his upcoming rally in Tulsa this weekend to see the atmosphere he is demanding.

[projectmaximus]

Originally Posted by hickoryfan

Two big Southern cities. Charlotte lost the convention due to COVID-19 concerns. Which city do you think would be the better host.
Things to consider:
Hotels/housing
Restaurants
Arenas/Convention Center
Transit opportunities: city transit, light rail, shuttle buses
Entertainment
Ease of getting to the city from the airport.

Please list factors you think would give one city an edge over another

Every factor you listed would favor Charlotte, pretty easily.

The only reasons why Jax would potentially be a better choice are:

1) The city perhaps has a more solid Republican base, though that's debatable. Certainly at least the mayor and governor are R and extremely Trump-friendly.

2) FL may be a more important swing state for reelection. There's plenty of speculation that once there was an out from Charlotte, the GOP quickly turned its focus to FL for this very reason specifically.

3) FL and Jax are being very lax with Covid measures. This may come back to bite us by the time the RNC comes to town, but that's what's happening right now anyway.

[MrPiedmontTriad]

Charlotte is the superior choice for the RNC, but I'm glad to see it move to Jacksonville.

[mhays25]

This is probably a significant boost to Charlotte's brand.