Hargrove Named Event Management Team for 2020 Democratic National Convention

The Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) recently announced the selection of the construction and event management teams for the 2020 Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee. The teams will be responsible for transforming Fiserv Forum and the surrounding area for the convention. The DNCC selected Hargrove to serve as the event management firm for the convention. Hargrove will manage locally owned JCP Construction as construction general contractor and Populous as its event architect. Populous will partner with Milwaukee’s American Design Inc.

“The eyes of the country will be on Milwaukee during the 2020 Democratic National Convention, and we are intent on ensuring attendees and viewers alike feel the energy and excitement of our host city,” said DNCC CEO Joe Solmonese. “The top-notch event management team we are announcing perfectly blends the experience, creative vision and ties to the community necessary to craft an experience that breaks the mold and brings everyone in.”

“The city of Milwaukee has a tremendous amount to showcase when we welcome the convention this summer, and I am pleased that will include the local expertise and talent that has been selected as part of the DNCC’s construction and event management teams,” said Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. “I look forward to seeing how this visionary group ensures the character of our city permeates this historic event.”

Hargrove is a full-service creative and experiential production company serving every segment of the live events market and as a member of the PSAV family of brands. It brings to life face-to-face experiences for some of the world’s most recognized corporations, associations and government agencies.

“Hargrove is honored to be selected as the event management partner for the Democratic National Convention for the third consecutive time,” said Tara Higgins, president of Hargrove. “Our focus will be to deliver a successful world-class experience while working closely with the DNCC to create a lasting legacy for Milwaukee.”

JCP Construction LLC was selected as the DNCC’s construction general contractor. The Milwaukee firm was established in 2008 by brothers James, Jalin and Clifton Phelps. Together, they bring decades of combined experience to the convention, and provide an array of services including pre-construction, general contracting and construction management. The company focuses on commercial, adaptive reuse and large residential construction. JCP Construction has been a part of some of Milwaukee’s flagship construction projects of the past decade, including Fiserv Forum, General Mitchell International Airport, and Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons.

The DNCC selected Populous as the convention’s event architect. Populous is the architect of record for Fiserv Forum, and has extensive experience planning the world’s largest marquee events like the Super Bowl, Olympics and Warrior Games. This year’s event will be the fifth nominating convention for the firm, three of which were hosted in Populous-designed venues. Populous’ lead event architect will be native Wisconsinite and Associate Principal Lisa Opper, and the team will partner locally with American Design Inc.

“We are honored to partner with the DNCC as the event architect of a historic event in one of our historic facilities,” said Lisa Opper, Senior Event Architect and Associate Principal. “As both architects and event specialists, we are experts in designing places that bring people together for memorable experiences. Fiserv Forum is the perfect venue to host this event and we look forward to working with the DNCC to deliver the 2020 Democratic National Convention.”

The construction and event management team will be led by Jeffrey Wexler, DNCC senior director of hall management. Their work together already commenced and will continue as we count down to welcoming 50,000 convention guests to the arena July 13 through 16.