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Milwaukee, Wisconsin City Guide

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Milwaukee Meeting Planning

Lake Express - high speed ferry

Welcoming 6.8 million visitors each year, Milwaukee's central location within America's heartland makes it a convenient meeting place for convention groups. The self-described "Great Place on a Great Lake" is easily accessible near the intersection of Interstate 94 and Interstate 43, and is a regular stop for Amtrak and Greyhound. The city also boasts Lake Express, a high-speed ferry that transports passengers across Lake Michigan. Additionally, Wisconsin's largest airport, General Mitchell International, is just six miles from the downtown district. Once in Milwaukee, getting around is a breeze with a simple grid pattern design and quick and efficient bus, trolley and taxi service running throughout the city.

With an estimated investment of $2.5 billion in development and improvements, Milwaukee is showing off a fresh new face. The centerpiece of the city's transformation is the addition of the Midwest Airlines Center. This $185 million convention facility offers 667,475 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting space including a 37,506-square-foot ballroom, 28 meeting rooms and an expansive 188,695-square-foot exhibit hall. The Midwest Airlines Center is just one of three venues that make up Milwaukee's world-class convention complex.

Midwest Airlines Center

Just steps behind the Midwest Airlines Center visitors find the recently renovated Milwaukee Theatre. Housed in a grand historic building, the 4,100-seat theatre boasts a sweeping staircase, banquet rooms and its signature half-domed Rotunda. The Milwaukee Theatre is host to top-name concerts and makes an ideal space for pre-event gatherings and small receptions. Not to be overlooked, the U.S. Cellular Arena offers an on-site caterer and 24,000 square feet of space for banquets and exhibits.

Located in the heart of downtown Milwaukee, the convention complex is within walking distance to shops, restaurants, hotels, attractions and the popular  RiverWalkRiverWalk
RiverWalk, making it a great place for meeting planners looking for an array of amenities and versatile spaces in one central locale. In addition to the complex, a number of alternative spaces offer a unique taste of the city. Host a dinner at the cabaret-style Skylight Bar at the Broadway Theatre Center.  Discovery World at Pier WisconsinDiscovery World at Pier Wisconsin
Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin has several indoor and outdoor spaces for events, including the Jeffry A. Posner Promenade, which allows guests to mingle and stroll along the water. Or, gather large groups of up to 3,500 people amidst a backdrop of countries, cultures and world wonders at the Milwaukee Public Museum.

Milwaukee's new developments continue beyond the convention complex. Catching the eye of art lovers nationwide, the $110 million expansion to the  Milwaukee Art MuseumMilwaukee Art Museum
Milwaukee Art Museum is a true Midwest masterpiece. The addition and renovation to the museum by world-renowned architect Santiago Calatrava includes a moving wing-like sculpture with a span larger than a Boeing 747, which rises high above the city's lakefront like a bird taking flight. With worldwide media attention and a steady stream of accolades including Best Design of 2001 by Time magazine and New Wonder of the World for 2002 by Condé Nast Traveler, the Milwaukee Art Museum has become an iconic symbol for the city's magnificent rebirth, and there's no better place to experience the city than in one of its many event facilities. Each space is sure to create an authentic and memorable experience, from a presentation to up to 265 people in the Lubar Auditorium to an elegant outdoor reception at the Baumgartner Terrace.

Miller Brewing Company

Although infused with new life by a spectacular building boom, Milwaukee remains America's "Brew City." Milwaukee is home to Miller Brewing Company, one of the world's leading breweries. Several other high-profile companies are also headquartered in Milwaukee including Harley-Davidson, Johnson Controls, Northwestern Mutual and Manpower, Inc. In addition, several well-known colleges and universities call the city home including the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Marquette University, Alverno College and Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design.

Key Statistics

About Milwaukee / Additional Info

Milwaukee Skyline with Lake Michigan

Situated along the scenic shores of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is a vibrant, modern metropolis in the heart of the Midwest. The new jewel of the Great Lakes region, the city has undergone massive revitalization efforts that have propelled it to the status of an internationally recognized hub of arts, culture and entertainment. No longer known exclusively for its brewing and manufacturing industries, Milwaukee's phenomenal urban renaissance has reshaped the city causing a fresh, new image to take flight.

Before being incorporated as a city in 1846, the area that is now Milwaukee was at one time home to the Algonkian Indians. Likely due to its location at the confluence of the Menomonee, Kinnickinnic and Milwaukee rivers, the Algonkian tribe named the land Millioki, which means "gathering place by the waters." Today, this aptly named gathering place is the largest city in Wisconsin and the 22nd largest city in the United States. Spanning 96 square miles, the city is home to approximately 600,000 people, while the Milwaukee metropolitan area, which stretches across four counties, has a population of 1.6 million people.

Festa Italiana

A Midwestern melting pot, Milwaukee is home to a diverse tapestry of converging cultures. The many ethnic neighborhoods peppered throughout the city contribute to Milwaukee's colorful, eclectic spirit. Flavorful restaurants and specialty shops line the streets of the city's various ethnic enclaves, while a flurry of festivals celebrate the city's diverse cultural heritage. Nicknamed the "City of Festivals," Milwaukee is host to such events as Polish Fest, Festa Italiana, Oktoberfest, African World Festival, Irish Fest, Arab World Festival and Mexican Fiesta. Beyond these lively cultural celebrations, the city sizzles with Summerfest, the world's largest music festival.

The renewed energy of Milwaukee's urban renaissance has ignited the city's art scene. The United Arts Fund ranked Milwaukee number 1 in the nation for donations raised per capita for the arts, and AmericanStyle magazine named it one their Top 25 Arts Destinations. The city's downtown theater district sets the stage for the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Florentine Opera and the Milwaukee Ballet. Adjacent to the downtown district, Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward is home to 10 art galleries, the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, the new Off-Broadway Theater and the Broadway Theater Complex, which houses the world-renowned Skylight Opera Theatre, Theatre X and Milwaukee Chamber Theatre.

St Joan of Arc Chapel

With its delightful blend of modern sophistication and Old World charm, Milwaukee is making great strides toward the future while continuing to embrace its rich past. Home to a wealth of historic landmarks, the city was named one of the 2006 Dozen Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Explore Milwaukee's history at the Kilbournton House, Captain Frederick Pabst Mansion and St. Joan of Arc Chapel. Intermingled with these historic gems are an array of attractions and lively districts including the remarkably revamped Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee Public Museum, Miller Brewing Company, Milwaukee County Zoo and Mitchell Park Horticulture Conservatory.