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From March 4-6 of 2027, the Diederich College of Communication at Marquette University will welcome the Midwinter community to Milwaukee for Freshly Brewed: New City. New Connections. Knowledge Made Together.
Alongside research sessions and panels, Milwaukee Midwinter will include a conference-wide teaching track, professional development, an international journalism keynote, and more intentional opportunities for attendees to meet and spend time together.
Below you will find essential information about the conference, transportation to Milwaukee, things to do in the city and more.
The registration deadline for the AEJMC Midwinter Conference is Feb. 26, 2027. The Early Bird pricing deadline is Feb. 12, 2027.
Pricing is as follows:
Register
Submissions for papers and abstracts to be presented at the conference are due on Dec. 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CT. Selected authors will be notified by Jan. 15, 2027. Paper abstracts will be submitted through the AEJMC Community site, where authors will select either a participating division or interest group or the Open Paper Competition.
Marquette has secured blocks of rooms at two hotels; both blocks open the day of conference submissions.
A limited number of guest rooms are available at a discounted conference rate of $139 per night for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings. Reservations must be made by February 2, 2027, after which any remaining rooms in the block will be released and additional reservations will be subject to availability.
Discounted overnight self-parking is also available for $25 per vehicle per day. Reservations can be made directly with The Marc Hotel by calling (414) 935-5940.
A limited number of guest rooms are available at the discounted conference rate of $159 per night. Guests are encouraged to reserve their rooms early to take advantage of this special pricing and to ensure availability during the conference dates.
Located in Milwaukee's historic Brewery District and just a short walk from Fiserv Forum, the Brewhouse Inn & Suites is a former Pabst Brewery converted into a hotel. Guests can enjoy spacious rooms, easy access to restaurants, and a convenient walk or short ride to Johnston Hall.
More than 30 airports have year-round, direct flights to Mitchell Airport, which is roughly a 15-minute drive from campus. Alternatively, attendees can fly into Chicago O'Hare, which is an hour-and-a-half bus ride or drive from campus without traffic.
For most conference attendees, rideshare services are the easiest and most convenient option. Uber and Lyft pickups are available directly outside the baggage claim.Traditional taxi service is also available from the airport's designated taxi pickup area.
Alternative options includeMilwaukee County Transit System buses. The GreenLine and Route 80 both connect Mitchell Airport to downtown Milwaukee. Attendees can ride into downtown and then walk or take a short rideshare to campus. All major rental car companies also operate from Mitchell, although the proximity of conference hotels to campus makes car rental unnecessary unless you are planning on exploring substantially outside the city.
For attendees flying into Chicago O’Hare International Airport, the most convenient option is to take the Coach USA Airport Express bus from O’Hare to downtown Milwaukee's Intermodal Station. From there, a short Uber, Lyft, or taxi ride will bring you to campus.
Alternative options include renting a car at O’Hare and driving via Interstate 94. Amtrak rail service is also available from downtown Chicago to Milwaukee, although travelers must first reach Chicago's Union Station from O'Hare. This can be done bytaking the Blue Line train. The Blue Line station is located inside the airport. Trains operate 24 hours a day and travel directly from O’Hare into downtown Chicago. Ride theBlue Line to the Clinton station in downtown Chicago. From there, Union Station is approximately a five-minute walk east to Canal Street.
Both conference hotels, The Marc Hotel and the DoubleTree by Hilton Milwaukee Downtown, are located in downtown Milwaukee within walking distance of Johnston Hall.
For most attendees, walking is the easiest option. From either hotel, head west along Wisconsin Avenue toward Marquette University's campus. Johnston Hall, located at 1131 W. Wisconsin Ave., sits near the eastern edge of campus and is one of the university's most recognizable landmarks. The walk from the DoubleTree is approximately 10 minutes, while the walk from The Marc is approximately 15-20 minutes.

Our central location just over a mile from Lake Michigan gives you the ideal spot to discover Milwaukee, our hometown. You’ll find world-class sports, dining, concerts, festivals, shopping, art and theatre — all within walking distance. Travel + Leisure ranked Milwaukee in the top 5 Best U.S. Cities for Young Adults, based on livability, rent, jobs and social life.
One of Milwaukee’s most recognizable landmarks, the Milwaukee Art Museum combines world-class art collections with striking architecture on the Lake Michigan shoreline. Visitors can spend an hour or an entire evening exploring galleries, then enjoy views of downtown and Lake Michigan from the museum campus. The museum is about a 10-minute Uber ride from Marquette.
At the heart of the neighborhood is the Milwaukee Public Market, where visitors can sample local foods, Wisconsin specialties, baked goods, and beverages from a variety of vendors.
Located just minutes from Marquette, the Harley-Davidson Museum tells the story of one of America’s most iconic brands through motorcycles, artifacts, and interactive exhibits.
The museum is an easy Uber ride from campus and works particularly well as a late-afternoon or evening activity. Its industrial architecture and riverfront setting also make it a distinctive Milwaukee experience for out-of-town guests.
Just a short distance from Marquette’s campus, the Pabst Mansion offers a fascinating look at Milwaukee’s Gilded Age history. Built for brewing magnate Captain Frederick Pabst in the late 19th century, the mansion showcases ornate architecture, original furnishings, and stories about the city’s industrial growth.
Milwaukee’s brewing heritage is central to the city’s identity, and Lakefront Brewery offers one of the area's most popular brewery experiences. Known for its welcoming atmosphere, the brewery provides visitors with insight into Milwaukee’s beer tradition while offering tastings and a lively social environment.

Marquette University is a Catholic, Jesuit university located near the heart of downtown Milwaukee that offers a comprehensive range of majors in 11 nationally and internationally recognized colleges and schools. Through the formation of hearts and minds, Marquette prepares our 11,100 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional students to lead, excel and serve as agents of positive change.
Ranked in the top 20% of national universities, Marquette is recognized for its undergraduate teaching, innovation and career preparation as the sixth-best university in the country for job placement. Our focus on student success and immersive, personalized learning experiences encourages students to think critically and engage with the world around them. When students graduate with a Marquette degree, they are truly prepared and called to Be The Difference.
The Diederich College of Communication embodies this mission by educating hundreds of ethical, innovative communicators across nine different majors. Endowed in 2005, the college traces its roots back to 1910, when it was first founded as the Marquette School of Journalism. Award-winning student media, state of the art facilities and innovative applied learning in strategic communication prepare students for successful careers in a variety of disciplines.
Dr. Patrick Johnson, assistant professor and conference chair
patrick.johnson@marquette.edu