JACKSONVILLE, Fla.–A decision by the Republican Party to split its convention later this summer will mean a big brand boost for one credit union.
The GOP had been scheduled to hold its late August meeting in Charlotte, N.C., in the 19,000-seat Spectrum Center, but the state’s governor would not guarantee the full crowd would be permitted, given the coronavirus pandemic and need for social distancing. President Trump objected, and Republicans have now moved most of the convention to Jacksonville, Fla. to the city’s Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena, the naming rights to which are held by Vystar Credit Union.
As CUToday.info reported
, in early 2019 VyStar Credit Union has reached an agreement with the city of Jacksonville on a 15-year, $9.76 million naming-rights deal to rebrand the former Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.
The arena, which has seen numerous events cancelled due to the pandemic, will now get substantial media attention during the convention from Aug. 24-27, which President Trump arriving on the final day to give his acceptance speech.
Local media said the “the convention will put the spotlight on Jacksonville's Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena (which) may be the biggest spotlight the arena's ever seen.”