How do you strike the perfect balance between security and adventure for your event? A 2024 report from Future Partners found that 80.4% of meeting planners view a "safe environment" as a critical factor when picking a destination. It’s a balancing act. Do you focus your budget on controlled activities to keep attendees “contained” in a destination, or encourage exploration and travel beyond conference grounds?
Fortunately, in Madison, you don’t have to choose! You can offer your group the best of both worlds—a safe, welcoming environment where they can also experience the vibrant neighborhoods and culture that make this city a hidden gem.
Why do meeting planners feel confident bringing their groups to Madison?
We’re safe.
WalletHub ranked us #2 Best State Capitals for Safety in 2024!
We’re walkable.
We’re gold rated for walkability and #2 in U.S. for Pedestrian Safety. From scenic lakefront walks to our eclectic downtown with locally owned restaurants and shops, Madison’s best offerings are all within easy walking distance.
We’re welcoming.
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.
We’re 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!
We’re friendly as heck.
It’s likely you’ll chat with our locals over beer, artisan cheese and our beloved Badgers. We’re Midwest nice in the best possible way, and you’ll feel the warm hospitality of our residents and businesses when you’re here. Travelers and the media agree. We were ranked the #1 Most Neighborly City in America in 2023 and the #1 Most Courteous City in Wisconsin.
Madison: A Safe Place for All
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:
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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.
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Madison, Wisconsin 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 and work there.
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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.
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We advocate for the development of spaces that serve and uplift communities of color, including the Black Business Hub and Centro Hispano.
Destination Madison is dedicated to creating 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. 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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