Jay Walljasper informs, inspires and instills action in audiences across North America. Applying on-the-ground experience and expertise, he offers empowering ideas and memorable stories that move people to make a difference.
Speaking regularly to business, professional, government, campus and community groups, Jay is well-versed in numerous formats:
• Keynotes + Interactive Presentations
• Workshops + Trainings
• Residencies
• Consulting on how to create stronger communities
A Selection of Jay's Work
Special Guest Speaker
UNESCO International Conference on Creative Tourism
Santa Fe, NM
Addressing urban leaders from around the world about the untapped potential of tourism to strengthen sustainability, economic development and cultural vitality
Training
Community Building Workshop
Waterloo, ON
Public lecture and all-day workshop for civic and community leaders about placemaking opportunities along a new light rail line
Keynote Speaker
Mid-America Trails and Greenways Conference
Des Moines, IA
Sponsored by the National Park Service
Campus Residency
Winona State University
Winona, MN
3-day event working with campus and community leaders, speaking to classes and a public lecture
Expert Panelist
Mayor's Symposium on Sustainability
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Talk on improving urban livability
Keynote Speaker
Making Great Places/Dig-In
Raleigh, NC
Two conferences focused on community building sponsored by Advocates for Health in Action
Workshop
City of St. Paul
St. Paul, MN
Two half-day workshops for city staff and civic leaders about strengthening their community
Training
Conference on Improving Rural Walkability
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Sponsored by provincial Department of Heritage, Culture & Tourism
Community Convergence Workshops
Portland, OR
Boston, MA
A convening of diverse local organizations to explore new ways of strengthening community, sustainability and equitability
Campus Tours
Public Lectures
Boston College, MA
Syracuse University, NY
Notre Dame University, IN
North Carolina State, NC
Grinnell College, IA
Portland State University, OR
Keene State College, NH
University of Iowa, IA
University of Minnesota College of Design, MN
Whitman College, WA
Gustavus Adolphus College, MN
Truman State University, MO
Speaker
International Winter Cities Conference
Edmonton, AB
Discussed how to make cold-weather cities great places year-round to leaders from across the planet
Speaker
CDC Community Health Conference
Denver, CO
Organized by Society of Public Health Educators for public health officials from across US
Speaker
Iowa Great Place Conference
Iowa City, IA
Convened by Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack, the conference focused on practical measures to improve quality of life across the state
Panelist
Bioneers Conference
San Rafael, CA
Explored the impact of communication strategies at international environmental conference
Plenary Panelist
National Bike Summit
Washington, DC
Remarks on the power of storytelling to change minds
Workshops
Community Development Visioning Sessions
Iowa City, IA
Sponsored the Downtown District organization, the City of Iowa city, the University of Iowa Public Policy Center and the School of Urban and Regional Planning
Keynote Speaker
Kansas Outdoor Summit
Topeka, KS
Sponsored by Sunflower Foundation & Health Care for Kansans
Online Workshop
City of Edmonton
Edmonton, AB
Focusing on social capital, civic engagement and placemaking
Keynote Speaker
Greater Des Moines Neighborhood Conference
Des Moines, IA
Annual conference sponsored by local citizen's group
Panelist
Good Food Festival
Chicago, IL
Annual expo about local and sustainable food
Keynote Speaker
What's the Economy for Anyway? Conference
Washington, DC
Exploring quality of life issues at conference connected with annual Green Festival
Speaker
Chicago Architectural Foundation Lecture Series
Chicago, IL
Chicago, IL
Presentation about the power of communities to improve their own future
Keynote Speaker
Road Scholar Great American Get Together
Minneapolis, MN
A program on local history and culture to visiting delegation from around the US (formerly known as Elder Hostel)
Keynote Speaker
Upwind/Downwind Conference
Hamilton, ON
Annual environmental conference
Speaker
Tom McCall Society Lecture
Portland, OR
Address on trends in urban planning around the world in an annual lecture honoring Oregon's former Republican governor
Keynote Speaker
Savannah State University Annual Journalism Conference.
Savannah, GA
Address about my journalistic experiences on the occasion of receiving the Robert S. Abbott Award for Meritorious Service in Communications
Keynote Speaker
Boise Neighborhood Summit
Boise, ID
Sponsored by the Boise Police Department
Keynote Speaker
Connecting Communities Forum
Calgary, AB
Sponsored the Calgary Centre for Global Community
Keynote Speaker
Manitoba Walking and Biking Successes Conference
Winnipeg, MB
Opening speech at a special event sponsored by Province
Keynote Speaker
Miami Valley Planning and Zoning Workshop
Dayton, OH
Speech and workshop on practical measures to improve communities
Community Workshop
Making Small Communities Walkable
Grand Marais, MN
Sponsored by Cook County Chamber of Commerce
Keynote Speaker
Keep Iowa Beautiful Conference
Des Moines, IA
Talk on community activism
Speaker
Trinity Cathedral Forum
Cleveland, OH
Address about urban revitalization
Keynote Speaker
Smart Growth Summit
Jeffersonville, IN
Seminar on urban revitalization in the greater Louisville area
Speaker
University of Wisconsin Union
Madison, WI
Address on "Winter Cities and Vibrant Outdoor Spaces"
Keynote Speaker
Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference
Mankato, MN
Remarks on sustainable tourism at Minnesota Department of Tourism event
Book Tour for All That We Share
Public Lectures (bookstore appearances not included)
San Francisco, CA
Cleveland, OH
Minneapolis - St. Paul, MN
Cape Cod, MA
Portland, ME
Belfast, ME
Iowa City, IA
Grinnell, IA
Keynote Speaker
Great Lakes Bioneers Conference Traverse City, MI
Opening Speaker at 10th annual event
Meredith Lecturer
Drake University
Des Moines, IA
Annual lecture on magazine publishing endowed by the Meredith Publishing Company
Other College Appearances
- Bowdoin College, Political Science department
- University of Iowa, Journalism department
- University of Minnesota-Duluth, Split Rock Arts Program
- Drake University, Journalism department
- University of St. Thomas, Graduate School of Business
- University of Minnesota, Journalism department
- University of Minnesota, Humphrey Institute for Public Affairs
- Hamline University, Graduate Program in Liberal Arts
- Carleton College, Journalism department
- Macalester College, Communications department
- St. Cloud State University, Journalism department
- Augsburg College, Sociology department
- St. Olaf College, Economics department
@JayWalljasper
• Communities Consultant
• Communications Strategist
• Urban Chronicler
• Urban Writer-In-Residence
Augsburg College
• Communications Director
The Placemaking Fund
• Contributing Editor
Yes! magazine
• Regular Contributor
Huffington Post
Resilience.org
Mother Earth News
AARP
Utne Reader
Shareable
Common Dreams
Alternet
"Jay Walljasper regales us with stories of folks all over the country who have rolled up their sleeves to make big changes in the world."
— Jim Hightower, bestselling author, radio show host and former Texas Secretary of Agriculture
The Great Neighborhood Book
Click here for more info & to order.
Jay Walljasper performs the greatest of services with this book. It is—choose your metaphor—a bracing slap across the face or the kiss that breaks an enchantment. In either case, after reading it you will be much more alive to the world as it actually is.
— Bill McKibben,
best selling author
