The 12th International Public Markets Conference is a three-day event that focuses on new trends and innovations for the preservation and revitalization of public markets internationally.
The conference is organized by Project for Public Spaces and will next take place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA on June 12-14, 2024 with the Milwaukee Public Market as our co-host.
An initial program overview will be available in spring 2025, and we will release session information in the months leading up to the event on our website. 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.
Early conference registration will open on February 12, 2025 on our website. Ticket prices will go up twice incrementally, so there is a benefit to registering early. We will also provide a limited number of scholarships via a Pay What You Can application process for those who demonstrate need for support to cover the cost of registration.
Entrance 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, are included in the total cost of registration.
The conference will bring together public market leaders, advocates, and representatives 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.
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
Yes, we will run an application for scholarships alongside conference registration. The application will open alongside the early rate on February 12, 2025. Our process will follow a pay-what-you-can model where you will propose what you are able to pay to attend this conference. This amount will not factor into your application review.
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.
A “Travel Info” page will be available on this website in January 2025, and any additional information that is important for your planning needs will be posted as it becomes available. This page will include information on where to stay, where the main venues are, and how to obtain a visa should you need one.
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. Project for Public Spaces has organized the International Public Markets Conference since 1987. 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.
