Dear friend,
We wrapped up our 12th International Public Markets Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on June 14th, but I am still smiling thinking about it! On our last day, after a full day visiting public markets and spaces throughout the city and beyond, we came together for our closing party at the Zócalo Food Truck Park. I asked the crowd an important question: “Did you have fun?!” It was met with cheers—and yes, having fun is a requirement for our conference—yet, the three-day event is so much more than that.
Over 250 attendees from more than 100 cities around the world came to Milwaukee to learn about innovative practices and see exemplary models in action. To mark the wonderful occasion, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson proclaimed June 12, 2025 as International Public Markets Day in Milwaukee! It was a great way to kick off the conference before heading to our afternoon mobile workshops.
On behalf of Project for Public Spaces, I'd like to thank the Milwaukee Public Market team for sharing their remarkable city with all of us and helping to create three wonderful days of learning, networking, and discovery.
Click here for more reflections! And stay tuned for an in-depth conference report and photo album!
Whether you are just starting your career or a seasoned market professional, thank you for being part of the journey!
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Kelly Verel
Co-Executive Director
Project for Public Spaces
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For the 12th International Public Markets Conference, our core venues will be spread out around the Third Ward and Downtown Milwaukee areas.
Our core venues include The Pritzlaff for our opening plenary, the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD) for our breakout sessions, the Milwaukee Public Market for our opening party, and Zocalo Food Truck Park for our closing party!
Mobile Workshops and Tours will take place all around Milwaukee, as well as in locations like Madison and Green Bay—take a look at the full list here!
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, is known for its dynamic public markets scene with a diverse array of markets reflective of the city’s unique heritage and community spirit that have helped it earn its reputation.
An integral part of this scene is our local co-host, the Milwaukee Public Market, recognized in 2024 by USA Today as the No. 1 Best Public Market in the United States. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025, Milwaukee Public Market is a shining example of a beloved community hub, featuring 19 vendors offering an eclectic mix of local produce, artisanal goods, and culinary delights.
The theme for our 2025 conference, Public Markets for Every City, serves as a call to action to recognize the transformative influence of public markets in shaping active and inclusive urban spaces. In Milwaukee, we will explore this by highlighting the city’s wide array of public markets, including Milwaukee Public Market, West Allis Farmers Market, Fondy Farmers Market, Milwaukee Night Market, and Zocalo Food Truck Park, as well as many other public spaces that have flourished thanks to placemaking led by neighborhood associations, business improvement districts, city agencies, and nonprofit organizations. Read our latest blog article to see why we’re excited to head to Milwaukee!
We are delighted to have the International Public Markets Conference come to the great city of Milwaukee. We look forward to welcoming an international crowd and showcasing our outstanding placemaking initiatives, including our city's public markets, which have been key to driving our city's economic and community growth, making Milwaukee a flourishing place to live, work, and play.
— Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson
In 2019, lessons from the International Public Markets Conference inspired the launch of the Market Cities Program at Project for Public Spaces. The Program aims to strengthen the regional systems behind the market stalls by connecting and supporting a diverse set of stakeholders through research, specialized training, and a network of peers.
During the 11th International Public Markets Conference in Toronto, Project for Public Spaces announced the launch of the Market Cities Network, the first international forum for markets of all kinds and the people committed to their success. Among many benefits, Market Cities Network members enjoy a $50 discount on conference registration.
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—Mayor , City of Toronto
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