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Frequently Asked Questions

Questions

Answers

What is the 12th International Public Markets conference?

The 12th International Public Markets Conference is a three-day event that focuses on new trends and innovations in the public markets field from across the globe.

The conference is organized by Project for Public Spaces and will next take place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA on June 12-14, 2025 with the Milwaukee Public Market as our co-host.

What can I expect to see in the program?

For an overview of conference activities and schedule, take a look at our Program at a Glance on our homepage! Detailed program information will be available starting sometime in April 2025, and we will continue to share updates via our conference platform Whova. If you require a more detailed program example, please refer to the conference agenda from the 11th International Public Markets Conference in Toronto for a general idea of session topics covered at this event.

When does registration open?

Regular Registration is now open and will close on May 1st at 11:59pm ET. Ticket prices will increase one more time to a late rate that will close one week before the conference.

What is covered in the cost of full registration?

A full registration includes access to all conference activities, any included coffee/tea breaks, refreshments at any included receptions, a mobile workshop of your choice, and a market tour of your choice.

How do I sign up for Mobile Workshops and Tours?

Attendees who have purchased full registration can sign up for Mobile Workshops and Tours on our conference platform, Whova. Feel free to click here for full descriptions of the mobile workshops and tours. Spots for each will be limited, so be sure to sign up as soon as possible to secure your top choices!

Where can I find information on hotels, venues and travel?

Please review our Travel & Venues page for information. We will feature a range of conference venues throughout the Third Ward area of Milwaukee, centered around the Milwaukee Public Market. Any additional information that is important for your planning, such as recommended hotels, nearby airports, and how to obtain a visa if needed, is posted here.

Who attends the International Public Markets Conference?

The conference will bring together public market leaders and advocates from across the globe, including a broad mix of market operators and managers, local food advocates, civil society groups, policymakers, consultants, academic researchers, and more.

Will you announce a Call for Proposals?

Our Call for Proposals application closed in November 2024. If you submitted a proposal, see below for the remaining timeline. All session content will be curated by the event organizers. If you have questions about the process, please email us at IPMC@pps.org.

  • Review period: December 2024
  • Applicant notifications of status: Late January/February 2025
  • Speaker registration opens: February 12, 2025

Are scholarships available?

The conference’s scholarship application has closed, the deadline was March 20th at 11:59 PM ET. We will notify applicants of their status in April.

Please note that as a nonprofit organization with limited funding for scholarships, we will not be able to accept all applications. Any scholarship amount awarded applies directly to the cost of registration fees only. We are unable to offer help with travel, accommodation, or other expenses.

Who is hosting the conference?

Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025, Project for Public Spaces has spent the past five decades bringing some of the most successful public places in the world to life. Today, we remain committed to putting community participation at the center of everything we do, from placemaking partnerships with corporations and foundations to our workshops, trainings, conferences, and more. The Market Cities Program evolved out of Project for Public Spaces’ public markets program (first established in 1987) with the mission to strengthen the regional systems behind the market stalls, connecting and supporting a diverse set of stakeholders through research, specialized training, and a network of peers.

As Milwaukee’s iconic food and event destination, the Milwaukee Public Market has been a vibrant community hub for locals and a must-visit experience for out-of-town guests for nearly two decades. Home to 19 independently owned vendors, the Market offers a diverse array of culinary options ranging from Wisconsin staples to a rich selection of ethnic cuisines and specialty grocery items. Serving as a cornerstone of the community, the Market not only hosts weekly cooking classes, free public events, and private gatherings within its walls but also extends its reach through outdoor activations and programming that enrich the Historic Third Ward neighborhood.

Who do I contact if I have questions that are not listed here?

We’d be happy to answer any additional questions you have about the conference. Feel free to email us at IPMC@pps.org.