The eyes of the nation and the world will be on the Hub Tuesday night – and likely into Wednesday morning – when Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney takes the stage in South Boston to either concede the race or declare victory as the next president of the United States.

Public safety officials, campaign staffers and work crews in South Boston and downtown were hurrying Monday to ready various ballrooms that will be the backdrop of some of the most closely-watched races in the country.

Besides Romney’s election night headquarters at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Sen. Scott Brown planned his election night party for the Park Plaza Hotel. His Democratic challenger Elizabeth Warren will only be a few blocks away Tuesday night at The Fairmont Copley Plaza.

But it’s the Romney event that is attracting nearly 1,000 media representatives and thousands more Republican campaign workers and officials to Boston, which means millions in spending benefits for the city, said Pat Moscaritolo, the president of the Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“What ever was lost as a result of Sandy and what’s lost from the Bruins [lockout] – the good news is that we’re back even. They balance out really terrifically,” Moscaritolo said of the economic impact of Romney’s event. He also said that the national and international media attention would also be beneficial for Boston in the long run.

At the South Boston convention center Monday afternoon crews were putting the finishing touches on the 40,000-square-foot ballroom where Romney will deliver his speech in front of nearly 4,000 people. Thousands of other people will watch the speech in an adjacent ballroom on a television feed.

“No parking” signs for Tuesday were already in place along Summer Street in front of the convention center and transportation workers were getting ready to put in place concrete barriers around the building.

Election night number

$20M

The estimated amount of total visitor spending by media members,
campaign workers and others in town for Mitt Romney’s election night
party.

Where to watch

A presidential election only occurs every four years so if you’re looking for a place to soak in the night after you’ve cast your ballot here are a couple of options:

*Google and MassINC are hosting an election night party at Legal Sea Foods Harborside from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. The watch party will feature real-time local, state and national results and insights from Google trends and analysis. RSVP suggested and space is limited.

*A nonpartisan watch party featuring special election-themed cocktails will be held at Towne Stove and Spirits from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m. The 21-plus event will offer a live screening of the night’s events and complimentary bites.