Sense of Place Keynotes

A shared journey through story, song, and conversation

Erica Wheeler offers dynamic keynotes that shift how people relate to place, belonging, and the work they do in the world.

She takes audiences on a skillfully shaped, curated journey that includes stories, ideas, case studies, reflective questions, and her award-winning songs, which illuminate key points and bring ideas to life.

Drawing on decades of experience offering training for the National Park Service, museums, conservation organizations, and communities — combined with her experience in the performing arts— Erica provides a unique, inspiring, and grounding approach to connecting people to story, place, meaning, and belonging.

Whether your event centers on tourism, education, interpretation, conservation, heritage, or well-being, these keynotes are designed to meet people where they are and bring the heart of the work back into view.

What Attendees Experience

  • A curated keynote with stories, case studies, reflective invitations, and songs that illuminate key points and spark meaningful connection

  • Place-specific content shaped for your audience, theme, and location—bringing the place into the room

  • Practical examples drawn from decades of Erica’s experience in the field working to shift how people tell stories, create engagement, and activate the mission of their work

  • An integrative format that helps participants synthesize their learning and carry that capacity forward throughout the event and back into the work that follows

  • Opportunities to reflect on how relationship to place influences meaning, values, and the way we show up in our work

What attendees gain

  • An integrative experience that blends reflection, insight, and practical perspective

  • Personal stories stirred through memory and reflection

  • A collective and individual sense of place, well-being and belonging

  • Practical insights and fresh ideas for shaping narratives that connect people and place

  • A renewed capacity for doing work that matters, especially during challenging times

"You are missing out if you aren't trying to book Erica for your upcoming workshop or training event. Her work with the ‘sense of place’ concept through her workshop provides excellent hands-on exercises in an area that is so often perceived as intangible, while her keynote was just the dose of inspiration we needed.”

— Chief of Interpretation, Arkansas State Parks and Tourism

Customized to Resonate

Each keynote is thoughtfully shaped for the audience, the moment, and the place. Erica is known for “bringing a sense of place into the room” and creating an experience that feels grounded, meaningful, and impactful.

Attendees leave with inspiration and practical ideas to implement, as well as a deep recharge and a real sense of renewal that increases their capacity to do their work in the world.

  • Sense of Place and Story Keynote (Signature)
    Increase Connection, Inclusion, and Well-Being through Better Sense of Place Stories
    Ideal for: conferences and gatherings across tourism, education, interpretation, conservation, heritage, and well-being

  • Travel, Tourism, and Place-Making
    From Destination Travel to Sense of Place Journeys: Rethinking Tourism Narratives
    Ideal for: tourism conferences, DMOs, heritage tourism, destination marketing

  • History, Heritage, and Belonging
    From Facts to Feeling: Skills to Share the Heart of the Matter
    Ideal for: history conferences, museums, historic sites, public historians, interpreters

  • Conservation, Preservation, and Stewardship
    Sustaining Stewardship: Recentering on the Heart of the Matter
    Ideal for: land trusts, parks, conservation orgs, environmental education, preservation groups

  • Wellness and Resilience
    Place Medicine: The Power of Sense of Place Stories in Our Lives
    Ideal for: wellness events, retreat centers, community health, general audiences

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    Still exploring fit, timing, or ideas?
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“We invited Erica out for a week to help celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Big Sur Land Trust with a variety of events including being our keynote speaker, and working with youth and others in the community. Her positive impact reverberated throughout our community and continues to this day. Erica’s ability to connect people and place beautifully aligned with our mission to strengthen communities and inspire stewardship.”
— Bill Leahy, Executive Director, Big Sur Land Trust, CA

About Erica

Erica Wheeler is a TEDx speaker, interpretive trainer, award-winning songwriter, and creative mentor who has spent decades bringing people and places together through story, song, and place-centered experience.

She has been a featured keynote at conferences, parks, museums, tourism organizations, and community gatherings across North America.

Known for her warmth, insight, and grounded presence, Erica’s keynotes blend artistry with thoughtful perspective—helping audiences reconnect with purpose, place, and what matters most in their work.

Her work is dedicated to cultivating meaningful connections between people and place, so that both people and places can thrive.

Selected Appearances

American Horticultural Society Youth & Garden Symposium
Association of National Park Rangers Rendezvous (ANPR)
Governor's Conferences on Tourism (Arkansas, New Mexico, Wisconsin)
Maryland Land Trust Alliance
National Association for Interpretation (Annual Workshop & Regions)
National Association of State Park Directors
National Park Service (Founders Day, National Mall)
New Mexico Council on Aging Conference
Parks Ontario
State Parks Seasonal Training (MT, ID, AR)
TEDx

Booking Information

If you’re looking for a keynote that is both inspiring and grounded—one that resonates with your audience and aligns with the purpose of your event—let’s explore what would serve your gathering best.

Whether you’re gathering to re-imagine tourism, deepen stewardship, strengthen communities, or simply recharge and reconnect, Erica can craft an unforgettable program for you and your audience.

Investment
Keynotes range from $3,500 to $6,000 plus travel
Contact Erica for pricing based on event location, format, and scope.

Ready to book?
Let’s talk dates and details →

Exploring fit, timing, or ideas?
Let’s start the conversation →

Want more info?
Request Speaker One Sheet PDF →