Thank you for joining us in the heart of Chicago!

The Association of Midwest Museums hosted its annual conference in Chicago, with virtual programming taking place on July 22 and in-person programming taking place at the Marriott Marquis in Chicago’s South Loop from July 26-29. Local collaborators were the Chicago Cultural Alliance and 16 museums across Chicagoland region.

Program Highlights:

The conference was attended by 525 virtual and in-person attendees representing over 180 museums. The city’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) staff hosted a panel of organizers and artists who are helping to shape the monument landscape across Chicago during the virtual opening session. The in-person keynote session featured a special welcome message from Casey Brown (Ho-Chunk), an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, American Indian activist and comedian, followed by an applied improv workshop by the skilled facilitators at Malarkey Comedy. The Flash Talks covered a range of topics, from object-based storytelling to reestablishing natural environments along the city’s waterways. Check out our digital program to learn more.

Explore our photo gallery below for more highlights of the event!

2026 Conference Highlight Reel

2026 Conference Photo Gallery