Summer is in full swing, and so is Milwaukee’s momentum as a meetings and conventions destination. The Visit Milwaukee team has been coast to coast this season, connecting with planners and showcasing the city’s unmatched meeting potential at major industry events like IPW, PCMA EduCon, and MPI-WEC. Whether on the road or here at home, there’s a lot happening—so here’s a quick look at what’s new and noteworthy from the Good Land.

Milwaukee is officially in the spotlight as a finalist for Prevue Meetings + Incentives’ 2025 Visionary Awards. The city is nominated in the “Best U.S. Destination for Meetings & Conventions (Population 500,000 to 1 million)” category—an honor that reflects its growing reputation as an inspired, forward-thinking place to meet. These awards celebrate cities that spark creativity and offer planners something unexpected. Now, we’re calling on our friends and fans to help Milwaukee take home the title.

At the end of May, Visit Milwaukee hosted a spring FAM that brought eight meeting planners to town for a firsthand look at why Milwaukee is rising fast on the national stage. Over the course of three days, the group explored everything from the Baird Center and Deer District to a special stop at Erin Hills during the U.S. Women’s Open. They even caught Bike Night at the Harley-Davidson Museum. 

In case you missed it, Milwaukee is getting a new 156-room Moxy Hotel. A growing brand within the Marriott portfolio, Moxy is an upscale but casual hotel chain with a playful personality, stylish shared spaces and check-in at the hotel bar, where guests are welcomed with a cocktail. Set in the heart of Deer District, the hotel will join one of Milwaukee’s most exciting neighborhoods, just steps from Fiserv Forum and the upcoming FPC Live music venue. The project is expected to break ground by July 2026, with an opening planned for spring 2027.

With the world's largest music festival, Summerfest, in full swing, there's no better time to highlight Henry Maier Festival Park. Situated along Milwaukee’s lakefront, this venue is one of the country’s coolest permanent festival parks with a dozen phenomenal outdoor stages, a thriving marketplace, and 75 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds and walkways. The newly renovated American Family Insurance Amphitheater provides an unparalleled live music experience for festival goers and a unique venue option for organizers. 

• Overall Capacity: 50,000+ people
• Distance from Baird Center: 1.5 miles

The Visit Milwaukee sales team continues to travel across the country, connecting with planners and promoting Milwaukee as a top-tier destination for meetings and events. Throughout July, team members are attending key industry tradeshows and conferences to build relationships and bring future business to the city.

• Manuel Rocha is attending the 2025 HelmsBriscoe ABC event in Toronto.
• Ray Valles will represent Milwaukee at the 2025 Lamont Annual Meeting in Arlington, Texas, from July 8–10.
• Later this month, Chad Chappell and Leslie Johnson will travel to Savannah, Georgia, for the 2025 ACMI Engaged on July 21–22.
• Chappell will then attend the CDX25–Association Exchange in Las Vegas from July 29 to 31.

These touchpoints provide valuable opportunities to showcase what Milwaukee has to offer and continue building strong partnerships across the industry.