RNC to include 'Convention Fest' highlighting local business such as Immy's, Scrima's and Slo' Motion BBQ

During the Republican National Convention later this month, 100 local businesses will have the opportunity to share their products on a national stage.

Convention Fest will be a marketplace for those with credentials to sample local products.

Here's what to know about the vendor fair.

Who can attend Convention Fest?

Organizers have decided that the event will only be accessible to those with RNC credentials., Visit Milwaukee President and CEO Peggy Williams-Smith said at a recent Milwaukee Press Club event.

"Although we wanted it to be a public event, this is safer for everyone involved," Williams-Smith said.

Convention Fest will be located within the inner security perimeter, or the "hard zone." The only individuals permitted in this area will be delegates, other officials, and members of the media.

Even though Convention Fest will not be open to the public, there will be no shortage of people in attendance. An estimated 15,000 journalists alone are expected, along with delegates and other officials.

Which vendors will be at Convention Fest?

Immy's African Cuisine is one of the vendors, and restaurant owner Immy Kaggwa is thrilled. Although she has had years of experience catering to major events in the area, such as Bastille Days and the Holiday Folk Fair, this will be her largest event.

"It's very exciting to be part of the convention. ... To talk to new people and see their reactions and interact. All of that is wonderful," Kaggwa said.

On the menu, she has curated a selection of customer favorites. Expect to see coconut curry chicken with spinach, goat curry, smoked jerk chicken with a vegetable stew, and vegan coconut chickpea curry. All of these East African dishes will be served with basmati rice.

Originally from Uganda, Kaggwa describes this type of food as "unique and flavorful." She has been living in Milwaukee since 1990, and especially loves the city in the summertime.

Waukesha's Scrima's Pizza will also be at the event.

Owner Joe Scrima insists on using local, quality ingredients such as olive oil and Wisconsin Grande cheese on the pizzas. Sauce is always made by hand, and Scrima himself grinds the pork into sausage using his grandfather's recipe.

Although the food selection for the event has not been decided yet, breadsticks and lemonade will be on the menu. Scrima is considering adding "Italian Nachos" to the list; thin corn chips smothered in homemade Alfredo sauce with sausage and topped with giardiniera.

Scrima didn't always work in the culinary business. The retired army veteran worked in construction until 2008, when he decided to take a chance and open up a small pizza shop in a gas station. He soon realized that competition can be intense and knew that he needed to do something different to stand out.

"I decided to build a wood-fired pizza oven that's on a trailer and go to different flea markets and things. Now, over the 12 years I've built up, I have three of these wood-fired ovens," says Scrima.

Slo' Motion BBQ, based in Sussex, is also gearing up for Convention Fest. Owner Adam Geggare hopes by attending to "define what it means to be Wisconsin-based barbecue."

Ribs, mac n' cheese, and its bestseller, brisket, will be on the menu. Attendees will also be able to sample scratch-made sauces, including their "Cheesehead Gravy," a tangy and bold mustard sauerkraut blend.

Geggare praises the organizers of the event, saying the process of being a vendor has been smooth.

"You can tell they know what they're doing. ... The RNC organizers are doing a great job," says Geggare.

Ainnie's Sweets will have a spread of specialty desserts. Peanut butter bars, turtle brownies and butter pecan cheesecake are some of her most popular items.

Owner Tonya McCarty has been running her business since 2020. She was inspired after her grandmother and great aunt, Ainnie, appeared to her in a dream. The two had taught McCarty to bake when she was nine years old, and she took this as a sign to return to baking. She makes all of her desserts from scratch and is excited for the event.

What was the process like to be a vendor?

On National Small Business Day, the Committee of Arrangements and the 2024 Milwaukee Host Committee put out a press release encouraging local businesses to take part in Convention Fest. There was a link provided to apply, and the deadline was May 22.

Businesses who wished to participate submitted an application with their information. Participation was approved by both the COA and the Host Committee, with limited space a factor in the decision.

Practical information regarding the event

Convention Fest will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday, July 15, to Thursday, July 18. It will be held outside the Baird Center on Kilbourn Avenue, facing the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Immy's, Scrima's among local vendors at RNC 'Convention Fest'