Awards & Industry Recognition
See how Visit Milwaukee’s innovation, leadership and creativity are earning national recognition. Explore our awards for marketing, tourism and community excellence that celebrate our work promoting Milwaukee as a premier destination. These achievements highlight not only what we’ve accomplished, but also the growing influence and momentum of Milwaukee’s presence on the national stage. As we continue to push boundaries and raise the bar, we’re proud to share the awards that recognize our commitment to excellence.
Destination Awards
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2024 IFEA World Festival & Event City Award
Winner: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Baird Center Awards
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2025 EXHIBITOR Magazine’s Centers of Excellence Award - Best Convention Center (100,000 – 500,000 sq. ft. of Exhibit Space)
Winner: Baird Center
Stella Awards 2025: Best Convention Center (REGIONAL, STANDALONE FACILITY) - Bronze
Winner: Baird Center
2025 Sponsorship Marketing Association Excellence Award - Best in Show: Outstanding Activation in Arts & Entertainment
Winner: Baird Center (We Energies Art Collection)
2024 HSMAI Adrian Awards - Gold
Winner: Baird Center
Meeting & Conventions Awards
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2025 SportsTravel Awards by Northstar - BEST AMATEUR SPORTS EVENT
Winner: 2025 USA Fencing National Championship - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Visit Milwaukee Awards
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Stella Awards 2025: Best CVB/DMO - Silver
Winner: Visit Milwaukee
2025 Meetings Today Best of Awards - Best MidAmerica CVBs/DMOs
Winner: Visit Milwaukee
2025 Smart Meetings Platinum Choice Awards - CVB
Winner: Visit Milwaukee
2025 eTourism eTSY Awards - Best Travel Brand Refresh
Winner: Visit Milwaukee (Fresh Coast Refresh)
2025 Destination Wisconsin's Tourism Trailblazer Award - Outstanding Destination Development and Impact
Winner: Visit Milwaukee (2024 Connect Marketplace)
2024 Smart Meetings Platinum Choice Awards - CVB
Winner: Visit Milwaukee
2024 W3 Awards: Silver - Best Tourism Website
Winner: Visit Milwaukee
2024 eTourism eTSY Awards - Best Local Marketing Campaign
Winner: Visit Milwaukee (Milwaukee Theater District)
2024 PRSA Paragon Awards - Awards of Excellence: Influencer Marketing to Expand Awareness
Winner: Visit Milwaukee (Museum Days Influencer Campaign)
2023 AVA Digital Awards - Gold: Web-Based Production & Social Media Campaign
Winner: Visit Milwaukee (Bobby Portis, Milwaukee's Hype Man Campaign)
Professional Awards
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2025 Milwaukee Magazine Betty Awards - Groundbreaker
Winner: Peggy Williams-Smith, President/CEO Visit Milwaukee
2025 PRSA Paragon Awards - Communicator of the Year
Winner: Peggy Williams-Smith, President/CEO Visit Milwaukee
Wisconsin Restaurant Association's 2025 Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch
Winner: Peggy Williams-Smith, President/CEO of Visit Milwaukee
2025 BizTimes Media Notable Latino Leaders
Winner: Tony Snell Rodriguez, Director of Community Engagement and Inclusion
2025 Sports ETA Woman of the Year
Winner: Marissa Werner, Director of Sports Milwaukee
2025 International Association of Exhibitions and Events® Awards - Outstanding Marketing & Sales
Winner: Leslie Johnson, VP of Sales and Event Experience