the 1972 republican national convention had been scheduled to take place in san diego in august 1972. however, in may 1972 the republican national committee voted to move the convention to miami because of a scandal involving a donation to the event by itt corporation, as well as concerns about the proposed venue (the san diego sports arena) and the adequacy of hotel space. wilson proclaimed the week of the convention to be america's finest city week, which became an annual event and gave rise to san diego's unofficial nickname.