Feature Destination: Milwaukee

Oct 14

What makes Milwaukee a great place for faith-based meetings?

Milwaukee has arrived as one of the premier destinations for meetings and conventions. The largest city in Wisconsin, Milwaukee retains its Midwestern charm, making it a welcoming location for all groups and faiths. Just one look at the skyline, and you’ll see why Milwaukee is known as the City of Steeples. In fact, Visit Milwaukee’s Megan Husband holds one of the first CFMP designations (Certified Faith-Based Meeting Professional) in Wisconsin and has a wealth of experience in bringing faith-based events to the region.

Mid-to-large-sized groups love the perks of being citywide, and small groups love the multiple options and price points for venues. A family-friendly destination with museums, affordable dining, and festivals, we know once you arrive, you’ll want to extend your stay.

What are some of Milwaukee’s unique and major meeting spaces?

Milwaukee is a destination filled with unique meeting space options, both large and small. Baird Center’s $456 million expansion and modernization hosts hundreds of meetings each year and is located directly across the street from the Miller High Life Theatre and UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, which have also welcomed countless conventions, meetings, and events inside their venues. Larger groups have utilized the Fiserv Forum, home of the Milwaukee Bucks, and also American Family Field, home of the Milwaukee Brewers. Milwaukee still has tons of options for smaller meetings as well, including many historic, modern, hotels and resorts, as well as unique offsite locations at area attractions.

What are some cultural and recreational experiences that faith-based groups would enjoy?

A city of many nicknames, Milwaukee is the City of Steeples and the City of Festivals, with countless experiences to discover. The Milwaukee area has over 1,000 houses of worship, including the Basilica of Saint Josaphat, Holy Hill, St. Joan of Arc Chapel, Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, and Grace Lutheran Church. Milwaukee also hosts over 100 festivals like the world’s largest music festival, Summerfest; one of the largest celebrations of Irish and Celtic pride outside of Ireland, Irish Fest; the country’s oldest known, longest-running Juneteenth celebration; and the celebration of Milwaukee’s iconic bike brand at Harley-Davidson Homecoming. There’s also the Milwaukee Art Museum, the world’s only Harley-Davidson Museum, Milwaukee County Zoo, waterfront fun, shopping, and award-winning dining all over town.

What are new enhancements of interest to event planners?

Milwaukee’s latest meetings and conventions facilities enhancement is the destination-defining $456 million Baird Center expansion, more than doubling the convention center in size to over 1.3 million sq. ft. But beyond the convention center campus, Milwaukee is flourishing with new and upcoming developments. Coming soon to the city’s already sensational selection of venues, future developments include the FPC Live music venue in Deer District opening in 2025; soccer stadium in the newly minted Iron District opening in 2026; a new home for the Milwaukee Public Museum coming in 2026; Foxtown Landing along the Milwaukee River; a new space for the Bronzeville Center for the Arts; the winterization of American Family Field; and two new hotels.