About me
Rob Gard is the Director of Advocacy & Public Affairs for Destination Madison, after previously serving as Director of Communications. Destination Madison promotes Madison, WI as a premier “urban outdoor” destination for visitors, meetings, and events. He focuses on building organization and industry awareness, community engagement, and public affairs. As a former television writer, newspaper editor, travel and whiskey journalist, Rob seeks out and shares the unique, eclectic, experiential, and transformational stories of Madison's diverse people and places to excite and entice travel writers and visitors. He was honored for his communications efforts with the 2021 Public Relations Society of America “WisCOMsin” Award for “Communicator of the Year.”
Rob has spent more than 25 years in public relations and journalism. Prior to his move to Madison in 2017, Rob served as the director of communications and marketing for CicLAvia, the largest Open Streets event and festival in the U.S., winning the Public Relations Society of America – Los Angeles “Outstanding Achievement in Publicity.” In 2021, Rob was also awarded the Board of Directors Cup by the Society of American Travel Writers for his service and leadership. Rob is a graduate of Colorado College.
