Trade Show News

Milwaukee's culinary scene is experiencing a significant rise with a wave of new restaurant openings, including High Stakes by Bartolotta. This growth, coupled with national attention from 'Top Chef: Wisconsin' and inclusion in the MICHELIN Guide, is enhancing Milwaukee's reputation as a culinary hub and positively impacting tourism.

Milwaukee's culinary scene is expanding with over 15 new and upcoming restaurants, contributing to the city's rising national attention as a culinary hub. This growth in hospitality, supported by Visit Milwaukee's initiatives, contributes significantly to the local economy and enhances the city's appeal as a tourism and convention destination.

Milwaukee's culinary scene is expanding with over 15 new and upcoming restaurants, enhancing the city's appeal for conventions and tourism. This growth is supported by Visit Milwaukee and the recently completed $456 million Baird Center expansion.

A room block has been reserved for attendees of the WHPRMS Annual Meeting in Fall 2026 at a special discounted rate of $139 per night at a Milwaukee hotel. Reservations are available for the nights of Wednesday, September 24 and Thursday, September 25.

The Midwest Arts XPO has announced the host hotels for its 2026 conference in Milwaukee, including the Hyatt Regency, SpringHill Suites Downtown by Marriott, and The Trade by Marriott. These hotels offer easy walking access to the Baird Center for attendees.

The Wisconsin Center District (WCD) board of directors elected Omar Shaikh as board chair and named Visit Milwaukee President and CEO Peggy Williams-Smith interim president and CEO of WCD, with Williams-Smith starting her interim role on October 1.

Visit Milwaukee President and CEO Peggy Williams-Smith was unanimously approved as interim President and CEO of the Wisconsin Center District, effective October 1. She will maintain her role at Visit Milwaukee, with both organizations continuing their partnership for Milwaukee's visitor economy.

Peggy Williams-Smith has been appointed interim CEO of the Wisconsin Center District Board, which oversees the Baird Center, UWM Panther Arena, and Miller High Life Theatre. This appointment follows a unanimous vote by the WCD board.

Peggy Williams-Smith, CEO of Visit Milwaukee, will also serve as interim President and CEO of the Wisconsin Center District, which operates the Baird Center. This dual role aims to support the WCD team and customers while the board searches for a permanent leader.

Peggy Williams-Smith, President and CEO of Visit Milwaukee, has been appointed interim president and CEO of the Wisconsin Center District (WCD) starting October 1. Omar Shaikh was also elected as the new WCD board chair, bringing two experienced tourism leaders to the helm during a search for a permanent replacement.

Milwaukee is set to host several conferences in late 2026, including the AASP Summit (September 22-25 at the Wisconsin Center), the WOS Annual Conference (September 24-25 at The Trade), and the Wisconsin Association of Health Plans Annual Meeting (September 24-25).

The World Beef Expo is scheduled for September 24-27, 2026, at the Wisconsin State Fair Park in Milwaukee. The NARI Milwaukee Home & Remodeling Show will also take place at the Wisconsin State Fair Park Exposition Center from October 9-11, 2026. Additionally, the Annual Convention & Expo is set for October 11-13, 2026, at Saint Kate - The Arts Hotel.

The Baird Center is currently hosting the Milwaukee Feis on September 26, 2026, one of the city's largest and longest-running feiseanna. Additionally, the venue is set to host the World of Oddities Expo in 2026. These events utilize the expanded facilities of the Baird Center.

The WOS Annual Conference, a premier gathering for industry leaders and innovators, is scheduled to be held at The Trade in Milwaukee, United States, from September 24 to September 25, 2026.

The WOS Annual Conference is scheduled for September 24-25, 2026, at The Trade in Milwaukee, bringing together industry leaders and innovators.

The expanded Baird Center, anticipated to open in spring 2027, will feature 1.3 million square feet, including a 300,000 square foot exhibition hall and 52 meeting rooms. New amenities include a rooftop ballroom, stunning artwork, and sustainable features like a rooftop solar array.

The Baird Center, Milwaukee's premier convention and exhibition center, has more than doubled in size to 1.3 million square feet, with its grand opening anticipated soon. The expansion includes a 2,000-person capacity rooftop ballroom with city views, new artwork, an outdoor terrace, and a dedicated Visit Milwaukee visitor center. This renovation allows the center to host multiple events simultaneously and offers flexible space arrangements.

Visit Milwaukee highlights the expanded Baird Center, which now offers 1.3 million square feet of convention space, including 300,000 contiguous square feet of exhibit space and 52 meeting rooms. The Wisconsin Center District, encompassing the Baird Center, Miller High Life Theatre, and UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, continues to raise the bar for meetings.

The Wisconsin Center expansion, which opened in May 2024, brought the exposition hall to 300,000 contiguous square feet and added 24 new meeting rooms, an executive kitchen, and a spectacular fourth-floor ballroom. The $456 million project is projected to support 2,300 full-time equivalent jobs throughout Wisconsin upon opening.