Happy New Year! In case you missed it yesterday, the James Beard Foundation dished out its 2026 semifinalist list, and Milwaukee is well represented. Now home to 21 James Beard-recognized chefs and restaurants, scroll the list, and you’ll find five local culinary trailblazers, including Venessa Rose of Mother’s, 1033 Omakase, The Mothership, Zak Baker of Ca’Lucchenzo, and Lisa Kirkpatrick and Paul Zerkel of Goodkind. Check out the full list and see what Milwaukee’s got cooking.

It was great connecting with so many planners at PCMA Convening Leaders in Philadelphia. From a complimentary Amtrak ride between Washington D.C. and Philadelphia to Milwaukee style brats from Chef Adam Pawlak, we were proud to bring Fresh Coast flavor and hospitality to the show floor. The conversations around future meetings and conventions in Milwaukee are already underway.

If we missed you in Philadelphia, our team will be on the road at tradeshows across the country in the months ahead.

Tap into the newest addition to Milwaukee’s dining and nightlife scene, Draft & Co. Located across the street from the convention center, the long-awaited 2,900 sq. ft. space in Vel R. Phillips Plaza offers another option within steps of the award-winning Baird Center. The menu features approachable fare like burgers and fries alongside 32 taps of rotating beer, craft cocktails, wine, cider and more, ensuring that each time you walk in the door, you’ll find something new to try. The latest creation from the owners of Draft & Vessel, Pomeroy and the Giving Tree Garage, Draft & Co., is open seven days a week and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Right next door to Draft & Co., the recently opened Marc Hotel is making its mark on the city’s hotel offerings. Unveiled earlier this month, the project by Marcus Hotels & Resorts converted the west wing of the Hilton Milwaukee into a new, independent 175-room property. With a new main entrance on North 6th Street, The Marc is connected to Baird Center by skywalk, giving attendees an easy walk to the convention center without the need to step outside. The latest property is also located within an easy walk to majorattractions like 3rd Street Market Hall, Fiserv Forum, the Miller High Life Theatre, the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena and the Milwaukee Theater District, as well as tons of dining options, which makes going from work to play a breeze. Book your next group at the latest addition to the city’s hotel scene.

Fresh off hosting the U.S. Olympic Long Track Team Trials earlier this month, the Pettit National Ice Center stands out as a medal-worthy venue. Located just minutes fromdowntown, the Official Team USA Speedskating Training Facility features a 443m indoortrack and two international-sized hockey rinks, giving you easy options for team building ora fun group breakout during your program. When you are ready to bring everyone together, the Hall of Fame Zone and the Pettit Party Zone host up to 150 people formeetings and receptions, with the facility’s action right outside the doors. Explore the Pettit National Ice Center and start planning your event.

The Visit Milwaukee team is out and about at tradeshows across the country every day, working to showcase the very best of what our city has to offer and connecting with meeting planners to book their events in Milwaukee. Here's where our team is headed: 

• Account Executive Katie Lawrence is attending the 2026 MPI Educational today, just an hour west in Madison, Wis.
• Next week, Director of Sports Milwaukee Marissa Werner is making the trip toColumbus, Ohio, for the 2026 SportsETA CE Summit, taking place on January 26-28.
• On January 26-28, National Account Executive Ray Valles is heading out to Pittsburgh, Pa., for 2026 Connect North.
• To close out the month, National Account & Tourism Sales Executive, Megan Husband, is visiting the Wisconsin Dells for the 2026 Circle Wisconsin Annual Meeting on January 29.
• Then, at the beginning of February, Megan is traveling to the 2026 RCMA Emerge event in Lexington, Ky., on February 10-12.
• And finally, on February 10-12, National Account Executive Chad Chappell and Laura Nelson are flying out to Spokane, Wash., for the 2026 AMCI Annual Meeting.