Connect, Collaborate, and Learn: Why You Should Attend the 2023 AAM Annual Meeting & Museum Expo

The American Alliance of Museums Annual Meeting & Museum Expo is the premier gathering of museum professionals from around the world. The event, which will take place in Denver, Colorado, from May 19-22, 2023, will bring together thousands of museum experts and enthusiasts to connect, collaborate, and learn.

This year's Annual Meeting theme, "Social & Community Impact," highlights museums' vital role in creating thriving, inclusive, and resilient communities. As museums evolve to meet the changing needs of their communities, the conference aims to explore the ways that they can integrate themselves into their communities, create a better world for all, and promote social impact.

In the next few paragraphs, we break down the AAM Annual Meeting & Museum Expo elements and explain the benefits of attending.

Connect

One of the most significant benefits of attending the AAM Annual Meeting & Museum Expo is the opportunity to connect with colleagues in person through interactive programming designed to expand your network. 

In addition to getting inspiration from attending the sessions, meeting with like-minded professionals allows you to learn from each other, gain new insights and perspectives, and hopefully develop valuable relationships that can last a lifetime.

It’s an opportunity to connect with colleagues from across the globe who share your passion for art and culture and build lasting friendships and professional relationships that can positively impact your career and enrich your life.

Explore

The Annual Meeting & Museum Expo features a diverse range of programming divided into four thematic tracks: People, Planet, Power, and Possibility. Each session offers something for everyone, featuring conversations among museum people, policymakers, business leaders, educators, and other visionaries from around the US and the world. 

The sessions are sure to leave you inspired and challenged to amplify the impact you can have on your community.

• The People track is dedicated to the importance of humanity in museums, addressing labor practices, diversity, equity, accessibility, inclusion, education, mental health and wellbeing, and human rights.
• The Power track will examine topics including equity, civic learning and engagement, activism, advocacy, governance, issues of truth, trust, and accountability, and how museums might share and cede authority to their communities..
• The Planet track examines the climate crisis and its impact on all museums' communities, collections, staff, and missions. Session topics will include climate crisis; natural disasters; water; energy innovations; environmental justice; environmental disaster preparedness; carbon neutrality; food security; migration/immigration; globalization; and public health (including pandemics).
• The Possibility track explores the role that government, corporations, philanthropic entities, and individuals have to play in advancing the possibility of sustained prosperity for all museums and their local communities. You can learn about new trends in philanthropy, revenue streams, and fundraising, and explore the role of museums in reducing funding barriers and making ethical investments.

Practice

Deepening your practice is another essential aspect of the Annual Meeting & Museum Expo. You can attend a full day of hands-on sessions, workshops, and training that will help you apply the principles and postures of social impact within your own context and community. 

The practical workshops and sessions focus on the "how-to" and provide tangible tools and outcomes you can bring back to your institution. You can learn about identifying, measuring, and sharing your institution's social impact from leaders within and beyond the museum field. 

By participating in these sessions, you can acquire new skills, knowledge, and strategies that will help you engage visitors, creating a safe and equitable work environment, promote sustainability, and significantly impact your community.

Land Acknowledgement

The AAM Annual Meeting & Museum Expo is committed to promoting mutual respect and connection across all barriers of heritage and difference. The conference acknowledges the ancestral lands of the Piscataway people, the lands on which the American Alliance of Museums office is located. The organizers encourage you to use the native lands map to learn about the lands you occupy and to consider the many legacies of violence, displacement, migration, and settlement that bring them together.

By promoting truth and acknowledgment, the conference aims to build mutual respect and connection across all barriers of heritage and difference. You can engage in the work of continued uncovering of truths in the museum field and beyond and promote greater understanding and respect for all cultures and peoples.

Benefits of attending the AAM Annual Meeting & Museum Expo

Attending the AAM Annual Meeting & Museum Expo offers numerous benefits for museum professionals and enthusiasts, including:

1. Networking and professional development - You can connect with colleagues from around the world and learn from leaders in the museum field. You can gain new skills and knowledge, acquire practical tools and strategies, and improve the impact of your institutions.
2. Inspiration and new ideas - The diverse range of programming will surely inspires and challenge you to think differently and explore new approaches to your practice. You can learn about new trends, emerging issues, and innovative practices.
3. Community building and mutual respect - The conference promotes mutual respect and connection across all barriers of heritage and difference. You can engage in the work in the field and beyond and promote greater understanding and respect for all cultures and peoples.
4. Exposure to new technology and products - Explore the latest technologies, products, and services that can help you improve the impact of your institution. You  can learn about new tools and resources that can help you engage visitors, promote sustainability, and enhance your operations.

The AAM Annual Meeting & Museum Expo is an excellent opportunity for everyone interested and passionate about museums and the art and culture industry to connect, collaborate, and learn. 

From its diverse range of programming, hands-on sessions, and networking opportunities with industry professionals, it’s a powerful catalyst for progress in the industry your career, and your institution. 

Hope to see you there!