City Hosts 300 PR Pros and 35 Top Travel Media for “Tales Between Two Lakes”

MADISON, WIS. (June 20, 2023) – This week Madison will host the most prestigious travel and tourism PR conference in the country as more than 300 national travel and tourism public relations (PR) professionals and 35 top travel media make Monona Terrace their home for the 2023 Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Travel & Tourism Conference. The conference, running June 20-23, is expected to provide nearly $400,000 in economic impact for Madison.

 By day, attendees will learn about the latest best practices from peers, find out what top tier travel outlets see trending, media/journalists, and enjoy travel-themed keynote presentations by Pete Souza and Baratunde Thurston. At night, they'll explore the institutions and restaurants that make Madison shine.

 “We are thrilled to welcome our industry's PR professionals and journalists to Madison after a four-year planning period for this conference,” said Ellie Westman Chin, Destination Madison's President and CEO. “At Destination Madison, we share the story of the importance of tourism on local economies, and this collective group's knowledge and experience in that will only drive the impact had when they're visiting our great community.”

 The conference provides Destination Madison the opportunity to show off the best of our community to industry peers and 35 top-tier travel media (ranging from National Geographic Travel and Washington Post to U.S. News and World Reports and New York Times). PRSA selected Madison as host in 2020, as the city beat out a dozen competing destinations from across the country.

bakery vendors alongside booths from some of Madison's favorite restaurants. Attendees will enjoy bites from local favorites Banzo, Ahan, and Bar Corallini, newcomers on the Madison food scene like The Deliciouser and Melly Mel's BBQ, and Garver businesses - Ian's Pizza, Calliope Ice Cream, Garver Lounge, Garver Kitchen, KOSA Spa and Roll Play. Attendees can grab a local brew or customize a cocktail while they explore the historic building in the wide-open atrium, the tucked away kombucha brewery, or the second-floor spa. Live music will be heard on the North Patio by Beth Kille and in the Garver Canvas gallery with music by Adem Tesfaye in the newly mounted "S is for Survival" exhibition by California-based Jay Katelansky.

Friday will wrap with a keynote from writer and television host Baratunde Thurston followed by a morning of closing sessions.

MEDIA NOTES:

Local media are invited to cover the keynotes, evening events, and general sessions. For the opportunity to attend or photograph any of the conference or events, please inquire with Sarah Warner at Destination Madison.

Destination Madison President & CEO Ellie Westman Chin and Communications Director (and local PRSA Chapter President) Rob Gard are available for interviews. Graphics and images are available upon request.

Baratunde Thurston is the co-host of TakePart Live on Pivot TV and the CEO and co-founder of Cultivated Wit. He wrote the New York Times bestseller How to Be Black and served for five years as director of digital for the satirical news outlet The Onion. When he's not delivering talks at gatherings such as Tribeca Film Interactive, SXSW, and TED, he writes the monthly back page column for Fast Company and contributes to the MIT Media Lab as a director's fellow. He co-founded the black political blog, Jack and Jill Politics, has advised the Obama White House, has more than 10 years' experience in standup comedy, and more than 30 years' experience being black.

Renowned photographer, bestselling author and Madison local Pete Souza will take the stage to visually share his global perspective on “seeing the world through the lens of travel.” Souza spent many years working in the White House, first as an official White House photographer during the Reagan administration and then as chief official White House photographer for all eight years of President Obama's terms. He has published several books, the latest of which was released this past September. And his 2017 book, “Obama: An Intimate Portrait,” is one of the bestselling photography books of all time and debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list.

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The annual conference brings together key media and professional development experts to address the evolving changes in the media and public relations landscape. The 2023 conference will be particularly relevant to the nation's communicators with the opportunity to gather, reconnect, and seek timely strategies, resources, and diverse perspectives to thrive and excel in the industry.

Tuesday opens with an immersion into history, education and lakeside fun with an opening event at the Wisconsin Historical Society and Memorial Union Terrace. Wednesday features a keynote presentation from former White House photographer and Madison resident Pete Souza. The full day of professional development will end with a Dine Around evening, where attendees will enjoy more than a dozen local restaurants.

Thursday will feature media panel and pitch sessions, with top tier travel media discussing everything from culinary travel and outdoor recreation to LGBTQ+ travelers and pitching to podcasts. That evening's Media Mixer at Garver Feed Mill will showcase a diverse Madison experience, featuring representative art, home goods, and