Sense of Place Keynotes:
Reconnect with Your Stories, Your Purpose and The Power of Place
Experience a Keynote
Journey that Recharges, Reconnects, and Inspires.
In today’s world that is overflowing with information, people are craving something deeper: They want more than motivation or the latest research trends. They are yearning for something grounding, meaningful, and full of purpose.
My keynotes take audiences on a journey of song, story, and conversation that helps them reconnect to who they are, with their surroundings, and the deeper meaning behind the work they do.
Audience Takeaways:
A renewed sense of purpose, belonging and well-being
Inspiration for narratives that deepen their sense of place and enrich their personal and professional work
Recharged energy, clarity, and passion for their work, mission, and community
For Tourism Organizations:
Elevate Tourism
Tap into the demand for authentic and unique travel experiences so you can fully engage visitors and drive sustainable growth. Gain inspiration to harness the power of place and bring your region’s stories to life.
Get the tools you need to craft stories that resonate, build connection, and set your destination apart. You’ll leave being able to share the true character of your region with the real stories that deepen visitor connection and loyalty.
Signature Keynote:
Elevate Your Narratives With a Sense of Place: From Destination Marketing to Journey Marketing
For Parks, Museums, and Heritage Organizations
See the Familiar Through New Eyes
Revitalize your narratives with a sense of place perspective. Uncover fresh ideas to reframe the stories you share. Understand the deeper reasons visitors journey to your site. Leave with tools and inspiration to craft stories and programs that enrich a sense of place and belonging.
Signature Keynote:
Reimagine Visitor Experiences: Using a Sense of Place to See with New Eyes
For Community Organizations:
Cultivating Belonging and Well Being
In a time where more people are disconnected from each other and their surroundings, this keynote offers a way back to a sense of place and belonging that is deeply needed in the world today. This keynote will evoke stories and experiences that can be just the medicine people need. Attendees will leave with tools and inspiration to find and share stories that reconnect us to ourselves, each other, and our surroundings.
Signature Keynote
Place Medicine: Curing the Epidemic of Disconnect Through Meaningful Sense of Place Stories
Why work with me?
Whether you're gathering to re-imagine tourism, inspire stewardship or deepen a sense of community, or you’re gathering for a personal or professional recharge, my keynotes will bring the mission and message of your event to life.
CREATIVE EXPERTISE
Nationally acclaimed artist, storyteller, and trainer with decades of experience inspiring diverse audiences across public lands, conservation, tourism, and cultural sectors.
PROVEN RESULTS
Trusted by parks, museums, heritage sites, and organizations nationwide to deliver programs that spark transformation, engagement, and care.
WELLNESS & RESILIENCE FOCUS
Offering sustainable strategies to strengthen engagement, staff well-being, and leadership in a rapidly changing world.
PRACTICAL & TRANSFORMATIVE
Participants leave with new perspectives, actionable tools, and creative energy that they can apply immediately.
RELEVANT & RELATABLE
A relatable, accessible approach to story, meaning-making, and purpose that supports addressing today’s opportunities and challenges.
"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 Soulful Landscape 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
Prior Keynotes Include :
American Horticultural Society Youth and Garden Symposium
Arkansas Governor’s Conference on Tourism
Arkansas State Parks Spring Training
Association of National Park Rangers Rendezvous (ANPR)
BioBliz, National Geographic, National Mall
Festival of the Cranes, Wheeler Wildlife Refuge
Idaho State Parks and Recreation Conference
Partners in the Parks Celebration, Howard County Parks and Recreation
Maryland Land Trust Alliance
Montana State Parks and Recreation Conference
National Association for Interpretation Annual Workshop (NAI)
National Association for Interpretation Region 2
National Association of State Park Directors Conference (NASPD)
National Association of State Park Volunteer Coordinators
National Park Service Founders Day, National Mall
National Religious Partnership for the Environment
New Mexico Governor’s Conference on Tourism
New Mexico Council on Aging Conference
Parks Ontario Spring Training
Social Venture Network Conference
TEDx, Shelburne Falls
Wisconsin Governor's Conference on TourismPrior Keynotes Include :
American Horticultural Society Youth and Garden Symposium
Arkansas Governor’s Conference on Tourism
Arkansas State Parks Spring Training
Association of National Park Rangers Rendezvous (ANPR)
BioBliz, National Geographic, National Mall
Festival of the Cranes, Wheeler Wildlife Refuge
Idaho State Parks and Recreation Conference
Partners in the Parks Celebration, Howard County Parks and Recreation
Maryland Land Trust Alliance
Montana State Parks and Recreation Conference
National Association for Interpretation Annual Workshop (NAI)
National Association for Interpretation Region 2
National Association of State Park Directors Conference (NASPD)
National Association of State Park Volunteer Coordinators
National Park Service Founders Day, National Mall
National Religious Partnership for the Environment
New Mexico Governor’s Conference on Tourism
New Mexico Council on Aging Conference
Parks Ontario Spring Training
Social Venture Network Conference
TEDx, Shelburne Falls
Wisconsin Governor's Conference on Tourism
About Erica (Offical Bio)
Erica Wheeler is a TEDx speaker, visitor experience specialist, and creative mentor with decades of experience performing and evoking stories and connections between people and places.
TEDx speaker, award-winning songwriter, visitor experience specialist, and creative mentor, Erica Wheeler has spent decades bringing people and places together through the power of story, song, and place-based connection.
Known for her warmth, humor, and insight, Erica has inspired thousands across national conferences, parks, museums, tourism organizations, and community gatherings.
She offers a unique blend of artistry, practical expertise, and transformative presence — awakening the heart of your mission and helping audiences recharge, realign, and reconnect with what matters most.
Her work is dedicated to inspiring personal connections between people and place, so that both people and places can thrive.
Let’s Work Together
Let's talk about your audience, your mission, and how a Sense of Place keynote can bring your event goals to life. I’ll tailor the experience to meet your needs and create a memorable, meaningful event. Contact me to schedule a call or Zoom conversation.