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  • 1.  Annual Meeting questions from a newbie :)

    Posted 02-09-2015 07:16 PM
    Hi there!

    My name is Marly and I'll be graduating with my MA in Arts Policy and Administration (specialization in museum education) this spring and I plan on attending the Annual Meeting for the first time this April.  Since I've never been before, I have a few questions I hope you lovely folks could answer.

    1) I'll be the only person from my program attending - is it easy to find cool and interesting people to socialize/eat/discuss with? How do I find them? Other than accosting them at the lunch table, of course ;)

    2) Judging from the program and the huge number of sessions, the meeting looks pretty intimidating - is it easier to navigate than it appears?  Any tips?

    3) As a recent grad, I will be on the job hunt!  Are there opportunities for networking/job searching?

    4) Are there any  can't-miss parties, sessions, events, etc. I should make sure to hit?

    Any other tips or advice would be much appreciated - thanks!
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    Marly C.
    Columbus, OH
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  • 2.  RE: Annual Meeting questions from a newbie :)

    Posted 02-10-2015 07:00 AM
    Hi Marly,

    I was in your shoes last year . . . well, not the just graduating part - I did that decades ago - but the new to the conference.  

    1. I planned most of my schedule in advance, concentrating on museum education (my thing).  Since I had a shared interest with everyone in the room, it was quite easy to find people to talk with and generally socialise.

    2. Going through the programme and figuring out what my 1st choices were for the time slots made life easy.  There were a few times that there was nothing overwhelmingly compelling and I followed a new acquaintance's lead, dipped my toe into a subject off-focus but interesting, or chilled over coffee (it was Seattle, after all).

    3. Can't help you there . . .

    4. Wrong demographic to help you here . . . although I do recommend the EdCom events, since that's your interest as well (and could also help with #3)

    At the risk of sounding all Deepak Chopra, just relax, be in the moment, and put yourself out there - you'll be fine.

    take care and good luck,
    Sue



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    Susan Day
    Education and Communications Consultant
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Annual Meeting questions from a newbie :)

    Posted 02-11-2015 10:12 AM

    Marly,

    Great advice from everyone.  Although I am a veteran of the field by now, I still hate walking into a social event.  But the AAM format really does make it easy.  Sign up for events that involve bus trips and you can introduce yourself to your seat mate.  Talk to people in corridors (the happening place for convention center conferences) or on line for the ladies rooms.  

    EdCom is especially good at developing programs for entry level educators and young museum professionals (not always the same thing), but all of the networks develop panels and meal/meetings.  Some of the regionals or area groups also have meet-ups.  There is usually a 1st timers event and/or emerging professionals social event.  

    The best part of AAM is that the more you become involved, the more you enjoy the conferences.  The bad thing is that committee/network events tend to have added expenses for meals or transportation.  Sign up for an evening event at a museum that you really want to see and enjoy.  

    See you in Atlanta,
    -------------------------------------------
    Barbara Cohen-Stratyner PhD
    Curator of Exhibitions
    New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
    New York NY
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Annual Meeting questions from a newbie :)

    Posted 02-10-2015 08:45 AM
    Hi Marly,

    Susan mentioned some good tips already. Just about everyone at the annual meeting is pretty friendly and accessible. We're all museum folk, and we've all been in your shoes. I'll recommend a couple events in particular:

    1) EdCom Reception - Sunday from 6pm-8pm. This will be filled with educators, and is a great chance to network and meet others in the field.
    2) EdCom Luncheon - Tuesday from 12:15-1:30pm. Again, lots of educators, and we'll have Doug Shipman, the CEO of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights speaking.
    3) Marketplace of Ideas - Monday from 3:15-5:15pm. Many of the professional networks will be set up areas in the Marketplace. It's a great chance to walk around, meet people, find out what's going on around the country.
    4) The IMTAL showcase has always been a highlight for me. I can't find it on the program right now - hopefully that is happening again.

    It isn't so bad to navigate. Some people like to go through the program and figure out everything in advance. Personally, I like to pick up the paper schedule when I arrive, browse through on that first day, circle a couple of events that look interesting to me in each time slot, and then make decisions as I go along. There are always a couple sessions I'm going to no matter what, but I find it pays to be flexible.

    Another recommendation is don't feel you need to be at a session every single time a session is offered. You can burn out that way. It's ok to take a slot to sit and chat out in the hallways or wander through the Expo, or do something else. Don't forget to take some time to visit some museums on your own! Any events at museum locations tend to be great too.

    One last recommendation since you are interested in museum ed: If you aren't a member of EdCom, sign up. You can do so by modifying your AAM profile - it's under professional networks. Among other things we do, there's a bimonthly newsletter. Our next one should go out this Friday, but in April we're devoted to the Annual Meeting. We're planning on talking a bit about places to visit in Atlanta, restaurants, not to miss sites, and highlighting some education track sessions.

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    Timothy Rhue II
    Explainers Program Manager
    National Air & Space Museum Smithsonian Institution
    EdCom Communications Chair-Elect
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  • 5.  RE: Annual Meeting questions from a newbie :)

    Posted 02-10-2015 10:17 AM
    Hi Marly,
    Welcome to the Museum world!  I second what others have written below and will add:
    1) There are these great events called Dine Arounds - you sign up in advance and basically everyone meets at a restaurant (pre-determined by someone in the group who is "in charge") and you each pay your own way.  It is a great way to socialize and network, and try out some restaurants.
    AAM used to offer - and maybe they still will - something for first time attendees, either a meeting,. or a mentor-type opportunity.  Take advantage of these if they do!

    2) I too like to scout out what I'm interested in ahead of time, and both note it on paper and I use the AAM Annual Meeting App (which has been getting better over the years).  Tim's right about being flexible and knowing you can get up at any point and leave a session, or choose not to attend one at all and just visit the Expo, a museum, or socialize in the hallway.  (Some of my best experiences have been the latter)

    3) I don't think necessarily this is THE place to job hunt.  That said, it is the place to make contacts.  Be sure to have business cards (at least with your name and contact info on them) and when you meet someone, ask for their card.  Then follow up with an email or phone call after the conference to stay in touch (or find them on the Junction or on LinkedIn, etc) - THAT is what can lead to a job. Case in point -  I just got a call from someone I met on a bus going to an event at an AAM conference about 3 years ago (maybe more!) who is writing a grant and wanted to include me in it.

    4) Last year I had an amazing time at the AASLH luncheon - they had a tremendous speaker that was entertaining as well as informative.  The EdCom events are also a great networking and can't miss events, especially since you're going to be in the field.

    Overall just don't be afraid to introduce yourself to people at sessions and events.  Go up to the speakers at the end and thank them (if you liked what they had to say, etc) - this is how you build your contacts and network and make friends in the field.

    See you at the conference!
    Claudia
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    Claudia Ocello
    President & CEO
    Museum Partners Consulting
    Morristown NJ
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Annual Meeting questions from a newbie :)

    Posted 02-10-2015 03:09 PM
    Hi Marly,
    Am also a new comer all the way from Africa. May be we can arrange to socialise and navigate togather.
    Cheers,
    Aliyu



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  • 7.  RE: Annual Meeting questions from a newbie :)

    Posted 02-11-2015 10:22 AM

    Marly, Aliyu, et. al,

    You have started your new comer to AAM on this blog. Nice to meet you and I hope to see you all in Atlanta.
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    Samuel Black
    Curator of African American Collections
    Senator John Heinz History Center
    Pittsburgh PA
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    Original Message