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.
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 Registration is now open and will close on March 20th at 11:59pm ET. Ticket prices will increase in two stages. Register early so you can save almost 15% off—that’s $100!—before Regular Registration kicks in on March 21st!"
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 (see scholarship question below).
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.
Starting March 14th, attendees who have purchased full registration will be able to sign up for Mobile Workshops and Tours on our conference platform, Whova. In the meantime, click here for full descriptions of the mobile workshops and tours, so that you can think about your decisions in advance. Capacities will be limited, so be sure to sign up as soon as possible to secure your top choices!
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.
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.
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.
The conference’s scholarship application is now open and will close on March 20th at 11:59pm ET, alongside the closing of early registration. Our process follows a pay-what-you-can model, allowing you to propose what you are able to pay to attend this conference. This amount will not weigh into our review of your application.
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.
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.
We’d be happy to answer any additional questions you have about the conference. Feel free to email us at IPMC@pps.org.
