JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As the Republican National Convention nears, more than 1,000 names of local businesses appeared Thursday night on the RNC’s website, listed as vendors for the convention.
They include everything from hotels and restaurants to bookstores and hair salons.
The vendors range from national chains to local mom-and-pop shops.
Of those featured, more than 125 are veteran-owned businesses, 195 are minority-owned and 300 are owned by women.
Looking through the list of 1,000 vendors, there are 13 different florists, more than 150 restaurants and a threat detection agency. There are 21 hotels listed, some from as far away as St. Augustine. And there are several bands, golf clubs and charter companies.
Last week, nearly 80 local vendors showed their products off in an effort to become a “preferred” vendor for the convention. All of the companies at the site met certain criteria from the host committee, including being able to provide services and goods on short notice and using only products made in the USA.
Members of the host committee rated each vendor and are supposed to make recommendations to those who are planning meetings and events for the RNC.
The Republican National Convention will run from Aug. 24-27 in Jacksonville.
While the Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena is where President Donald Trump will accept his party’s nomination, a number of other venues are listed for the convention, including the Jacksonville Fairgrounds, Morocco Shrine, and MOSH.
RELATED: Republican National Convention is on for Jacksonville, but scaling back
Rather than the 15,000 people originally scheduled to attend the event in Jacksonville next month, the communications director of the Republican National Convention announced Thursday that only about 2,500 people -- mostly the regular delegates -- will attend the first three days of the event, Aug. 24-26. On the final night, Thursday, Aug. 27, delegates and alternates can attend with one guest as Trump delivers his acceptance speech.
According to a letter obtained by The Washington Post, estimated attendance on that Thursday night will be between 6,000 and 7,000 people.
Convention planners also acknowledged that some convention events will take place outdoors at venues including TIAA Bank Field, the Daily’s Place Amphitheater and 121 Financial Ballpark.