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  • 1.  I'm new to the annual conference...any tips?

    Posted 04-15-2015 11:11 AM
    This message has been cross posted to the following Discussions: Museum Junction Open Forum and 2015 Annual Meeting and MuseumExpo .
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    Hello from San Francisco ~ I just wanted to reach out and see if anyone had some suggestions for first timers attending this amazing conference. I am a bit overwhelmed with the quality and quantity of colleagues and am trying to figure out how to navigate my time and resources while in Atlanta.  Any suggestions would be very welcome! I hope to meet you soon, Molly

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    Molly Blaisdell
    Location Scout for Alcatraz: Life on the Rock
    San Francisco CA
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  • 2.  RE: I'm new to the annual conference...any tips?

    Posted 04-15-2015 11:25 AM
    This is what I suggest you do....
     
    Don't spend ANY time in your hotel room except to sleep.
    Go to as many evening events as you can afford.
    Make a schedule before you go of sessions, tours and events you will attend.  This means combing through
       the schedule before you get to Atlanta.
    Make the rounds of the exhibit hall.
    Make lunch plans with folks who you know are going
    Tell your colleagues you are going to see if they are going, too. Then plan a time to meet up.
    Stop by your regional association's booth  to connect to colleagues.  Same for your state association if it also has a booth.
    When you go to an evening event, do the food tables first. 
    Hang out in your hotel's bar for a bit before you go up to your hotel room.  This is where you will meet folks and have interesting conversations.
     
    Have fun!
     
    Monta Lee Dakin
    Mountain-Plains Museums Association
    7110 West David Drive
    Littleton, Colorado 80128-5404
    303-979-9358
     



    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: I'm new to the annual conference...any tips?

    Posted 04-16-2015 10:26 AM

    I would actually take a different approach.  Last year was my first AAM conference, and it's HUGE.  You can easily get overwhelmed if you try to do everything.  Do make a schedule for sessions, do go to at least one ticketed event, do get to know people.  But don't do more than you're comfortable with just because "it's here, it's now, I HAVE to do it."  My experience is that you will enjoy what you do less if you're pushing yourself too hard - take it at a pace you're comfortable with, and you will enjoy what you do that much more.

     

    Just my experience. :)

     Oh!  And do go to the "is it your first time" sessions, do the webinar (if it hasn't happened already?), and get a first-timer ribbon for your badge.

    -Meredith

     


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    Meredith Peruzzi
    Manager
    Gallaudet University Museum
    Washington DC
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: I'm new to the annual conference...any tips?

    Posted 04-15-2015 03:16 PM

    Molly,

     

    Monta Lee Dakin really gave you all the information you need - network as much as you can and don't forget to bring a lot of business cards.

     

    This will be my second AAM conference and I really look forward to it.

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    Christian Bouchez
    Visitor Services Manager
    Museum of Flight
    Seattle WA
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: I'm new to the annual conference...any tips?

    Posted 04-15-2015 03:27 PM

    Christian,

    If you haven't already, you might want to jump in on the new community we've started here on Museum Junction specific to the 2015 Annual Meeting.

    Molly, thanks for posting your question about first timer tips there as well. I know we'll see some great suggestions.

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    Guzel duChateau
    Assistant Director, Strategic Communications
    American Alliance of Museums
    Washington DC
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  • 6.  RE: I'm new to the annual conference...any tips?

    Posted 04-16-2015 10:45 AM

    Hi Molly! You are getting some great advice already. In case you are interested in trends, new technology and other "future of museums" type content, I'll point you to the blog post I did recently with recommendations for sessions and events:

    http://futureofmuseums.blogspot.com/2015/04/your-guide-to-future-at-annual-meeting.html

    Hope this helps you plan your agenda.

     

    Yours from the future,

    Elizabeth

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    Elizabeth Merritt
    Director, Center for the Future of Museums
    American Alliance of Museums
    Washington DC


     



  • 7.  RE: I'm new to the annual conference...any tips?

    Posted 04-16-2015 12:17 PM

    I'd add that you should download the mobile app if you can.  It's the most up-to-date listing of sessions, times, rooms, maps, etc., plus you can do a lot of searching through it.  You can search for attendees, speakers, institutions, and exhibitors.  I usually go through the schedule on the app in advance (which let's you add sessions and events to your personal schedule).  I tag a couple of sessions per time slot that look interesting; just in case I get to one and find out that it's not exactly what I'd imagined, I've got a back up.

    I'd also echo the suggestion of going to an event or two.  One of the best parts of the conference is being introduced to a new city and its museum community, and this is a good way to get out there and explore a little with some other museum folk.

    Good luck, and enjoy!
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    Trystan Popish
    Aerospace Education Coordinator
    Museum of Flight
    Seattle WA
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