More than 45,000 delegates, alternate delegates, party officials and volunteers are expected to gather in downtown St. Paul, Minn., from Sept. 1 (Labor Day) through Thursday, Sept. 4, for the 2008 Republican National Convention.

This will be the second time the Republican Party has held its convention in Minnesota. In 1892, Minneapolis hosted the 10th RNC, where Republicans nominated Benjamin Harrison.

There are already more than 70 convention staffers in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area who have been living, dining and shopping locally. That number is expected to grow to more than 120.

About 4,000 advance media and convention teams will be arriving one week early to prepare for the convention at the Xcel Energy Center in downtown St. Paul.

It’s estimated that the media and delegates will stay an average of six days in the area and spend an average of $1,600 during their stay. Each member of the advance party is expected to spend $2,000 during their stay and the event planners are expected to spend a minimum of 5,000 days and nights in the area, spending $283 per day/night.

The 2008 RNC is also expected to attract thousands of visitors to the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area and it’s estimated they will spend $148 million.

The local business community is already reaping the benefits of the 2008 RNC as a number of restaurants and local attractions will be closed for private events during the convention.

It’s projected that the host cities will receive an estimated $150 million to $160 million positive economic boost. The event is also estimated to generate 2,800 jobs, $100 million in wages and $162 million in gross state product gains to the state.

In addition, there will be:

• 20,000 hotel rooms occupied in more than 100 hotels throughout downtown St. Paul, downtown Minneapolis and Bloomington.
• About 15,000 international news media members.
• A $50 million federal grant to help cover cost of officer pay and other security expenses.
• An estimated 50,000-100,000 protesters.
• About 3,500 St. Paul police officers to provide security.