The Placemaking Round-Up
A biweekly newsletter with public space news, resources, and opportunities.
The Biweekly Bazaar
A curated dispatch on all things public markets plus the latest announcements from the Market Cities Program.
A biweekly newsletter with public space news, resources, and opportunities.
A curated dispatch on all things public markets plus the latest announcements from the Market Cities Program.
Dear friend,
It has been a week since we wrapped up our 12th International Public Markets Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and I am still smiling thinking about it! On our last day, after a full day visiting public markets and spaces throughout the city and beyond, we came together for our closing party at the Zócalo Food Truck Park. I asked the crowd an important question: “Did you have fun?!” It was met with cheers—and yes, having fun is a requirement for our conference—yet, the three-day event is so much more than that.
Over 250 attendees from more than 100 cities around the world came to Milwaukee to learn about innovative practices and see exemplary models in action. To mark the wonderful occasion, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson proclaimed June 12, 2025 as International Public Markets Day in Milwaukee! It was a great way to kick off the conference before heading to our afternoon mobile workshops.
The conference pitched a large tent to include colleagues from all kinds of market backgrounds: farmers markets, indoor, permanent markets, craft, flea, and artisans markets, market districts, wholesale markets, advocates, and academics. Some attendees are still in the planning phases of their markets, while others are historic markets that date back hundreds of years—like London’s Borough Market, which has over 1,000 years under its belt! But no matter how much experience an attendee had, we all had something to share and learn from each other. We heard important stories and learned about unique approaches to shared issues related to equity, advocacy, placemaking, cultural legacy, mental health, market management, and so much more.
On behalf of Project for Public Spaces, I'd like to thank the Milwaukee Public Market team for sharing their remarkable city with all of us and helping to create three wonderful days of learning, networking, and discovery.
Whether you were able to join us this year or not, mark your calendars for our 13th International Public Markets Conference in 2027—wherever that may be! Until then, be sure to stay tuned for the events and trainings we have coming up, including a mini-training led by Sherman Phoenix, “Growing Hope & Legacy Wealth in Marketplaces,” in November; our How to Create Successful Markets training in February 2026 and our 5th International Placemaking Week conference in June 2026 (location to be announced soon)!
Please keep an eye out for an in-depth conference report and photo album in the coming weeks.
Whether you are just starting your career or a seasoned market professional, thank you for being part of the journey!
Kelly Verel
Co-Executive Director
Project for Public Spaces
P.S. We want to express heart-felt gratitude to our conference Platinum Sponsor, Educators Credit Union, for their support of the 12th International Public Markets Conference!
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