What are the responsibilities and job description for the Marketing and Events Intern position at Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21?
About Milwaukee Downtown: Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21 is an organization established in 1998 to support the interests of the Downtown Milwaukee business community. Through BID #21 assessments, Milwaukee Downtown funds specific initiatives aimed at creating a clean, safe and friendly Downtown. The district currently manages 150 blocks representing approximately 500 commercial property owners.
Mission: We lead and inspire Milwaukee to engage in efforts that build Downtown as the thriving, sustainable, inclusive, innovative and vibrant heart of the community.
Vision: Milwaukee Downtown is an economic catalyst creating opportunities for all. Downtown continues to be a premier destination of choice to live, work, learn, play and stay. Milwaukee is a renowned world-class city adding value to the state and the Great Lakes region.
PLACEMAKING & EVENTS INTERNSHIP
The Events and Marketing Intern at Milwaukee Downtown plays a vital role in activating Downtown’s public spaces and advancing key messaging related to Downtown Milwaukee. With the support and supervision of the Marketing, Events and Social Media Director and the Director of Public Space Initiatives, the Events and Marketing Intern’s responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
Event Coordination
The Events and Marketing Intern serves as a key coordinator for a portfolio of events that enliven Downtown. This role will include representing Milwaukee Downtown as a public-facing event staff member at multiple summer events, including:
- Concert Series: The intern will serve as the lead staff person on site for two weekly, outdoor, lunchtime summer concert series: Heart(beats) of the City (Wednesdays at 12 PM, June through August) and Tunes@Noon (Thursdays at 12 PM, June through August). Responsibilities will include pre-event coordination with bands and food trucks, planning and communicating day-of logistics, checking in vendors, collaborating with Public Service Ambassadors on onsite event set-up and teardown, and other duties as assigned.
- Downtown Dining Week: The intern will assist the Marketing, Events and Social Media Director in content creation for DDW. This includes promoting various Downtown restaurants and the various menu and deal options. Additionally, the intern will help create wrap-up graphics that utilize survey data from the event and relay important information about the diner experience for each restaurant.
- Rainbow Summer: The intern will assist with planning efforts and on-site event coordination for Rainbow Summer which occurs in mid-July.
- Downtown Employee Appreciation Week: The intern will help create and post content for DEAW that promotes the week of events and recognizes all sponsors. The intern will also attend all lunch events to help post real-time content for Milwaukee Downtown social media.
- Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee: The intern will assist with early planning efforts for Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee, which occurs in October. Work will focus on planning programming and general pre-event coordination. The intern may have the option to extend the internship term to assist onsite during the event.
Marketing and Social Media
The Events and Marketing Intern serves a key role in maintaining Milwaukee Downtown’s active social media presence. This role will help continue to grow Milwaukee Downtown’s social media presence by helping with the following:
- Weekly content creation for Milwaukee Downtown’s X, Facebook, Instagram, Threads and LinkedIn
- Updating and maintaining the social media calendar
- Capturing photos and videos for social media at Milwaukee Downtown events
- Promoting local events and businesses through Milwaukee Downtown social media accounts
- Working with Marketing, Events and Social Media Director to create engaging and trending content
Additional Projects
The Events and Marketing Intern may assist with ongoing tasks such as:
- Supporting initiatives that advance the priorities of Milwaukee Downtown’s 5-Year Strategic Plan
- Researching and identifying relevant placemaking grants or other funding opportunities
- Writing public-facing copy related to events and initiatives
- Assembling reporting documents when applicable and compiling and maintaining data lists
- Monitoring new and impactful public space projects and public art installations
- Supporting communication and coordination with key stakeholders
- Being prepared to professionally assist and answer questions, concerns, and comments regarding Milwaukee Downtown
- Other tasks as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS
- A passion for community work, event production, and all things Milwaukee
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Strong social media skills
- Proactive, motivated and solutions-oriented
- Current college students and/or recent graduates preferred
- Marketing, Journalism, Communication, Business Management, and/or Urban Planning majors encouraged to apply
TERM & HOURS
The internship term is May 11, 2026 through August 21, 2026, with a maximum of 20 hours per week.
COMPENSATION
Hourly rate will be based on experience and qualifications, up to $15/hour.
TO APPLY
Submit resume and cover letter to Isabel Ullrich at iullrich@milwaukeedowntown.com.