Meeting planners are navigating a new reality in 2026: Attendee safety isn’t just a consideration—it’s a core requirement. According to a November 2025 Future Partners report, more than 80% of planners now rank a “safe environment” as a critical factor when selecting a destination, and nearly two‑thirds expect safety to become even more important in the years ahead.

That’s why Madison, Wisconsin stands out. Here, planners don’t have to choose between keeping attendees close to the convention center or encouraging them to explore. Madison offers both: a safe, welcoming city where attendees can confidently enjoy the full destination experience.

Encourage your group to enjoy the city’s vibrant neighborhoods, lakefront paths and cultural attractions, knowing they’re in one of the safest urban environments in the country.

Madison, WI safety FAQs:

Is Madison a safe destination for my next meeting?

Yes! Madison has a strong reputation for being a safe, clean and easy-to-navigate city. Just ask WalletHub, which ranked Madison #2 Best State Capital in 2025, noting that “Madison has relatively little crime, with the seventh-lowest violent crime rate and 11th-lowest property crime rate.”

Each year, our services team gathers post-event survey responses from planners who hosted their large conferences and sporting events in Madison. Planners who’ve hosted events here consistently describe Madison with one word above all others: welcoming.

Here are other words planners used to describe the lake-city-lake meeting place:

Word cloud of planner descriptions of Madison with the most common word being Welcoming.

Is Madison walkable and accessible?

Madison is gold-rated for walkability and #2 in the U.S. for Pedestrian Safety. From scenic lakefront walks to our eclectic downtown full of locally-owned restaurants and shops, Madison’s best offerings are all within easy travel distance.

Madison is ready to welcome visitors of all abilities. Learn more about travel accessibility in Madison here and check out Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center’s blog on inclusive event planning and their venue’s accessibility features.

Fun fact: Madison is one of only two U.S. cities built on an isthmus—a narrow strip of land with water on either side! This unique geography lends itself to refreshing experiences for meeting attendees as they’re able to travel from Lake Monona to Lake Mendota with several opportunities to sightsee, dine and shop along the way. Key landmarks along this stretch include the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, the State Capitol building, State St. and the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus.

Related resource: Madison Like a Local is a free digital travel itinerary your attendees can use to explore the city’s best local offerings. The platform’s maps and local tips make it easy for visitors navigating Madison on their own.

Is Madison a welcoming city?

In 2024, Destination Madison surveyed 1,795 Dane County residents on the public perception of tourism and quality of life in Madison. 83% believed tourism was good for the local area, compared to Midwest and national averages of 61%. The bottom line is our residents understand the value of tourism for the local economy and enthusiastically welcome visitors to the area.

Is Madison clean?

Did you know that Madison was the first community in the U.S. to offer curbside recycling? Our sustainability roots run deep, and our active residents are passionate champions for green initiatives that keep our city beautiful. Planners on site visits often comment on how clean our streets and sidewalks are! 

Are people in Madison friendly?

You’ll feel the warm hospitality of our residents and businesses when you’re visiting Madison, and it’s likely you’ll chat with our locals over beer, artisan cheese and our beloved Badgers. Travelers and the media agree: We were ranked the #1 Most Neighborly City in America in 2023 and the #7 Happiest City in America in 2026. 

Is downtown Madison safe at night?

Meeting planners consistently report that their attendees feel comfortable walking between hotels, restaurants and venues after dark, thanks to several factors that shape the nighttime environment:

  • The isthmus layout keeps people naturally concentrated downtown, creating a steady flow of foot traffic well into the evening.
  • Madison is gold‑rated for walkability with excellent pedestrian safety infrastructure and well-lit paths.
  • A strong hospitality network with hotels, restaurants, event venues and campus activity keep the area lively, monitored and well‑staffed.

As with any city, attendees should exercise standard travel awareness, but Madison’s compact layout and strong community presence make it a destination where nighttime exploration becomes a fun perk for visitors.

 

Madison, WI: You Belong Here

Our local government officials and community leaders are passionate about supporting the unique needs of racially diverse, multicultural and LGBTQ+ individuals who visit and reside in Madison: 

  • The Destination Madison event services team can assist meeting planners and attendees with locating minority-owned businesses and venues, from bookstores and breweries to coffee shops and catering companies.  
  • We cherish the multicultural makeup of our city through cultural fairs and fests and we recognize and honor the important history and contributions of the Ho-Chunk Nation. 
  • We advocate for the development of spaces that serve and uplift communities of color, including the Black Business Hub, Centro Hispano and The Center for Black Excellence and Culture, opening in early 2026.
  • Madison scored 100—the highest possible score—on the Human Rights Campaign’s 2024 Municipal Equality Index. Madison’s rating on this index demonstrates the ways the city supports the LGBTQ+ people who live, work and visit here. 
  • In January 2025, Destination Madison launched its first LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee—a vibrant group of 19 residents, business owners and changemakers who meet quarterly to shape the city’s future as a travel destination. Read more about this initiative in our blog article on the IGLTA website.

Related Resource: LGBTQ+ Travel in Madison

Planner & Attendee Support

Destination Madison is dedicated to fostering a city where every individual feels safe, embraced and included. We are here to support your group with the resources necessary to ensure your meeting attendees feel welcome and respected. Have a special request or question for our event services team? Contact them here.

As Ellie Westman Chin, our President and CEO, puts it, “Meeting planners often choose Madison not only for our outstanding venues, but for the sense of safety and hospitality that set our city apart. When planners describe Madison, we hear these three words time and again: Friendly. Accessible. Safe.” 


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