During the Democratic National Convention earlier this month, the 15,000-strong press corps joined 5,556 delegates in Charlotte, filling the region’s hotel rooms. Charlotte hoteliers reported room demand of approximately 30,000 rooms per night at an ADR of approximately $215. Room demand increased on average 61 percent year over year, and ADR was 160 percent higher.
Given the demand surge, occupancy increased to more than 90 percent over the three-day event. All in all, $19 million was spent on room revenue during the event, generating occupancy and room taxes that are now supporting local infrastructure projects.
Charlotte officials say more than seven tons of recyclable materials were collected in uptown during the DNC, an amount that almost surpasses what had been collected in the area all year.