Story. Song. Conversation.
A transformative journey to reconnect with your stories, your purpose, and the power of place.
Experience a keynote that recharges, reconnects, and inspires.
Audiences are yearning for grounding, meaning, and well-being. With a journey of song, story, and conversation that reconnects the audience with who they are, where they are, and the deeper purpose behind the work they do—people come home to what matters. Remembering their sense of place and stories is medicine, that is invoked during the time with Erica.
The audience leaves feeling recharged and connected, knowing they have stories inside them that matter, with a deeper sense of place, wellbeing, and belonging that inspires appreciation for what they have and motivates them to take care of it.
Whether you're gathering to re-imagine tourism, inspire stewardship, or to deepen a sense of community, or to get a personal or professional recharge, my keynotes will inspire, engage, and bring the mission and message of your event to life.
For natural and cultural 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 to engage visitors today. Understand the deeper motivations visitors come to your site. Leave with tools and inspiration to craft stories and programs that enrich a sense of place and belonging.
Signature Keynote:
Engagement Reimagined: How Sense of Place Cultivates Caring and Connection
For community organizations
Cultivating belonging and wellbeing
This keynote offers a way back to ourselves, our surroundings, and each other. Erica cultivates a sense of place and belonging that is deeply needed in the world today through story, song and conversation. Attendees will leave with tools and inspiration to find and share stories that make a difference in their lives and their community.
Signature Keynote
Places are Medicine: Finding Meaningful Sense of Place Stories
For tourism organizations
Gain inspiration to harness the power of place and bring your region’s stories to life. Tap into the demand for unique and meaningful travel experiences. Spark ideas to craft narratives 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
Journey Marketing: Elevate Tourism through Sense of Place Narratives
Prior keynotes
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
TEDx speaker, National Park Service interpretation trainer, award-winning songwriter, and creative mentor Erica Wheeler has spent decades bringing people and places together through the power of story, song, and place-based connections.
Erica has inspired thousands through events for conferences, parks, museums, tourism organizations, and community gatherings.
Known for her warmth, humor, and insight, her programs provide 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 cultivating personal connections between people and place, so that both people and places can thrive.