Recharge. Inspire. Reconnect.
A journey of song, story, and conversation to tap into
the power of place, story, and purpose.
Whether you're gathering to re-imagine tourism, inspire stewardship, or get re-charged about your work, Erica’s keynotes will inspire, uplift, and bring the message of your event to life.
Through a curated journey of song, story, and conversation, Erica will evoke stories and memories of place connection, bringing everyone back to a sense of place and belonging that is deeply needed in the world today.
Attendees walk away feeling more connected to themselves, their purpose, their place, and each other.
Keynote topics include:
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.
Cultivate belonging and well-being
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.
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 connections, 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.
TEDx speaker, interpretive 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 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.
About Erica
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