This year’s conference takes place virtually on Wednesday, July 22, and in-person in Chicago on July 26-29. The virtual day includes an opening session in the morning and four concurrent sessions in the afternoon. In-person sessions will take place Monday-Tuesday, July 27-28, at the Marriott Marquis Chicago.
Session Tracks:
- Collections Stewardship – Sponsored by Dimension Fine Art Services
- Exhibitions – Sponsored by Art Display Essentials, a 10-31 Company
- Leadership & Advancement – Sponsored by H.E. Branch Advisors
- Management & Operations
- Marketing & Engagement
- Programs – Sponsored by Museum Explorer
Search virtual and in-person sessions, posters, and conversation stations.
Civic Learning Spaces: Museums meeting the need as Co-Educators in Today’s Environment
Renee Saba, Ruth Mott Foundation/Applewood; Cole Rutledge, Ruth Mott Foundation/Applewood
This session will equip museums and historic sites to fill the gap in the current environment for age-appropriate civics programming. Participants will experience activities from Applewood’s Civics and History field trip for high school students and leave with ideas to build youth-focused civics programs at their museums.
Two Things Can Be True - Balancing Collections Access and Collections Stewardship
Brenda Raney; Madison Auten, Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum
Let’s be honest – we all know this tension. This session is an honest examination to build understanding and share examples of successfully navigating this challenge. Bring an open mind and learn how to bridge what feels like mutually exclusive priorities in ways that benefit our visitors, communities, and collections!
Stewarding Truths in Collections Data: Designing Systems Under Real Resource Constraints
Hayat Zarzour, Illinois State Archaeological Survey
What truths live in your collections data? Using a technical case study in developing collections management solutions without access to commercial platforms, we will discuss the challenges and opportunities involved in navigating legacy data, inherited systems, resource constraints, and the documentation choices that shape access, accountability, and consultation work!
When Space Shrinks, Truth Can’t: Decision-Making in Temporary and Transitional Spaces
Amy R. Bornkamp, Luci; Leah Rauch, Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center; John Tweedie, Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center; Mark Ewing, Ravenswood Studio, Inc.
Learn how the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center upheld its educational mission while transitioning to a satellite location, Experience360. Explore how innovative designs and curated narrative selection was used to protect historical integrity, ensuring core values remain powerful and public trust stays unshaken even in limited spaces.
We Hold These Truths: Not All Commitments Are Created Equal
De'Andrea Matthews, Detroit Zoological Society
Drowning in commitments but starving for connection? Discover why you can’t “time manage” your way out of overload – and what actually works. Learn to reclaim authentic presence, set guilt-free boundaries and transform exhaustion into intentional impact. Stop performing in life and start living.
We hold these Truths...Some core beliefs about great advancement programs and a look at the current state of philanthropy
Bill Lynerd, The Field Museum; Jacob Masters, Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens
Buckle up for a jam-packed (but efficient) ride through the world of successful museum advancement practices. Enhance your understanding of key strategies and the things we hold true about our wonderful profession!
Lilacs, a Ventriloquist Dummy, and a Squirrel Uprising: How Small Stories Build Powerful Brands
Brian Failing, Aurora Regional Fire Museum; Sarah Richardt, Grover Center: Museum & Historical Society; Alison Costanzo, Lombard Historical Society
Discover how small, unexpected stories can create powerful museum brands. Three Executive Directors share real-world examples of how quirky artifacts and local lore drive marketing, membership, and gift shop success. Walk away with practical ideas and inspiration to turn your museum’s uniqueness into meaningful audience engagement.
Civic Learning Spaces: Museums meeting the need as Co-Educators in Today’s Environment
Renee Saba, Ruth Mott Foundation/Applewood; Cole Rutledge, Ruth Mott Foundation/Applewood
This session will equip museums and historic sites to fill the gap in the current environment for age-appropriate civics programming. Participants will experience activities from Applewood’s Civics and History field trip for high school students and leave with ideas to build youth-focused civics programs at their museums.
Two Things Can Be True – Balancing Collections Access and Collections Stewardship
Brenda Raney; Madison Auten, Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum
Let’s be honest – we all know this tension. This session is an honest examination to build understanding and share examples of successfully navigating this challenge. Bring an open mind and learn how to bridge what feels like mutually exclusive priorities in ways that benefit our visitors, communities, and collections!
Stewarding Truths in Collections Data: Designing Systems Under Real Resource Constraints
Hayat Zarzour, Illinois State Archaeological Survey
What truths live in your collections data? Using a technical case study in developing collections management solutions without access to commercial platforms, we will discuss the challenges and opportunities involved in navigating legacy data, inherited systems, resource constraints, and the documentation choices that shape access, accountability, and consultation work!
When Space Shrinks, Truth Can’t: Decision-Making in Temporary and Transitional Spaces
Amy R. Bornkamp, Luci; Leah Rauch, Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center; John Tweedie, Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center; Mark Ewing, Ravenswood Studio, Inc.
Learn how the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center upheld its educational mission while transitioning to a satellite location, Experience360. Explore how innovative designs and curated narrative selection was used to protect historical integrity, ensuring core values remain powerful and public trust stays unshaken even in limited spaces.
We Hold These Truths: Not All Commitments Are Created Equal
De’Andrea Matthews, Detroit Zoological Society
Drowning in commitments but starving for connection? Discover why you can’t “time manage” your way out of overload – and what actually works. Learn to reclaim authentic presence, set guilt-free boundaries and transform exhaustion into intentional impact. Stop performing in life and start living.
We hold these Truths…Some core beliefs about great advancement programs and a look at the current state of philanthropy
Bill Lynerd, The Field Museum; Jacob Masters, Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens
Buckle up for a jam-packed (but efficient) ride through the world of successful museum advancement practices. Enhance your understanding of key strategies and the things we hold true about our wonderful profession!
Lilacs, a Ventriloquist Dummy, and a Squirrel Uprising: How Small Stories Build Powerful Brands
Brian Failing, Aurora Regional Fire Museum; Sarah Richardt, Grover Center: Museum & Historical Society; Alison Costanzo, Lombard Historical Society
Discover how small, unexpected stories can create powerful museum brands. Three Executive Directors share real-world examples of how quirky artifacts and local lore drive marketing, membership, and gift shop success. Walk away with practical ideas and inspiration to turn your museum’s uniqueness into meaningful audience engagement.