July brought big energy to Milwaukee, with national recognition, record-setting events and plenty of activity both in the city and on the road. From high-profile festivals to award nominations and upcoming industry shows, Milwaukee continues to show why it’s one of the most talked-about destinations for meetings and conventions. Here’s a quick roundup of what’s been making headlines.

Milwaukee was recently featured in Trade Show Executive for its rising status as a premier meetings destination. The article highlighted the $456 million expansion of the Baird Center along with major events like the 2024 RNC and Connect Marketplace. The city’s reputation for hospitality and readiness to deliver unforgettable experiences helped land this national spotlight.

Milwaukee is in the running for one of the travel industry’s highest honors. The Baird Center and Visit Milwaukee have both been named finalists for the 2025 Skift IDEA Awards.

The Baird Center is recognized for excellence in hosting business events. Visit Milwaukee is a finalist for its bold marketing campaigns and strong industry partnerships. Winners will be announced August 8.

This year’s Summerfest brought three weekends of live music and celebration to Milwaukee’s lakefront. More than 600 artists performed across 12 stages including major names like Hozier, Megan Thee Stallion, Riley Green and The Killers.

The 2025 festival welcomed over 600,000 attendees, an 8 percent increase from last year. Summerfest continues to cement Milwaukee’s place as the City of Festivals.

Check out the official recap video and take note that next year’s Visit Milwaukee FAM will include a night out at the festival!

The Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival returned to Milwaukee in July with four days of music, motors and celebration. Events stretched across Davidson Park, the Harley-Davidson Museum, the Milwaukee Mile and local dealerships throughout the area.

The festival brought tens of thousands of fans to the birthplace of the Harley-Davidson brand. A little rain did not stop the excitement as Chris Stapleton headlined Saturday night with a crowd-pleasing performance.

Located just under six miles from downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin State Fair Park offers more than 200,000 square feet of exhibit space and 10,000 parking spaces.

The grounds include the Milwaukee Mile Speedway and host the annual Wisconsin State Fair which draws over 1 million guests each year. The nearly 200-acre campus includes both indoor and outdoor event space and continues to be a favorite for planners looking for flexible options.

The Visit Milwaukee sales team is connecting with planners across the country at some of the industry's top events. Here is where the team is heading next:

• CDX in Las Vegas from July 29 to 31

• M&IW Summit in Schaumburg Illinois on August 5

• Destinations on Tap in Shirlington Virginia on August 6

• ASAE Annual Meeting in Los Angeles from August 9 to 12

• Destination Midwest in Toledo Ohio from August 18 to 20

• Connect Marketplace in Miami from August 25 to 27

These industry touchpoints help put Milwaukee front and center for future business.