Jay Walljasper speaks regularly to professional, business, university and citizen’s groups on contemporary topics ranging from community revitalization, sustainable initiatives, 21st Century tourism, media issues and the commons.

2008 Special Guest Speaker, UNESCO International Conference on Creative Tourism. Santa Fe, New Mexico
Conference drawing city officials from around the world to explore potential of tourism to strengthen sustainability and economic vitality in their communites.

2008 Keynote Speaker, Smart Growth Summit. Jeffersonville, Indiana
Annual seminar on smart growth and urban revitalization in the greater Louisville area.

2008 Speaker, University of Wisconsin Union. Madison, Wisconsin
Address on “Winter Cities and Vibrant Outdoor Spaces” at conference kicking off plans to renovate campus facilities.

2008Keynote, Speaker, Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference. Mankato, Minnesota
Remarks on sustainable tourism at semi-annual conference sponsored by Minnesota Department of Tourism.

2008 Speaker, University of Minnesota’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Edina, Minnesota
Public address on “The Commons: Visions for a Positive Future” as part of 7-week Tuesdays with a Scholar lecture series

2008 Keynote Speaker, Neighborhood Sustainability Conference. Minneapolis, Minnesota

2008 Speaker, American Institute of Architects lecture series. Minneapolis, Minnesota

2007 Keynote Speaker, What’s the Economy For Anyway? Conference. Washington, D.C.
Conference exploring quality of life issues that was part of the annual Green Festival.

2007 Speaker, Chicago Architectural Foundation & Municipal Planning Council lecture series. Chicago, Illinois
Presentation about the power of communities to improve their own future.

2007 Moderator, Urban Land Institute Conference on Winter Cities. Minneapolis, Minnesota.

2005 Speaker, Iowa Great Place Conference. Iowa City, Iowa
Convened by Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack, the conference focused on practical measures to improve quality of life in small towns and cities.

2004 Keynote Speaker, Manitoba Magazine Publishers Association Conference. Winnipeg, Manitoba.

2004 Trinity Cathedral Lecture Series. Cleveland, Ohio
Address on “How to Fall in Love with your Hometown” for a lecture series on urban issues.

1998 Tom McCall Society Lecture, Portland, Oregon
Address on trends in urban planning around the world in an annual lecture honoring Oregon’s former Republican governor.

1996 Keynote Speaker, Savannah State University Annual Journalism Conference. Savannah, Georgia
Address about my journalistic experiences on the occasion of receiving the Robert S. Abbott Award for Meritorious Service in Communications.

1994 Meredith Lecturer, Drake University. Des Moines, Iowa
Annual lecture on magazine publishing endowed by the Meredith Publishing Company.

1994 Keynote Speaker, Minnesota Department of Transportation annual Bicycle Conference. St. Paul Minnesota

1994 Keynote Speaker, St. Cloud State University Conference on Popular Culture. St. Cloud, Minnesota

1986- College Appearances
Bowdoin College, University of Iowa, Drake University, University of Minnesota, Carleton College, Macalester College, University of St. Thomas Graduate School of Business, University of Minnesota-Duluth, Augsburg College, Hamline University Graduate Program in Liberal Arts, St. Cloud State University, Metro State University, and Minneapolis Community College.