Open Forum

Dear All

I do enjoy a museum conference and have been to AAM's several times and likely will attend again. I am just wondering how it can be the most useful. I do hope to come as am employee of a museum. I am an emerging museum professional. Any insight is welcome. I have also gone to California Assoasion of Museums and Western Museums.  

Thanks,

Rachel

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Rachel Alschuler
Museum Education/ Visitor Experience
San Francisco CA
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Rachel,

That is a great question to ask. I tell my students that conferences are a great place for professional development and networking. I encourage them to take the time to find the conferences that align with their career goals. For those who are about to enter the field or considering relocation, attending a strong state or regional conference in your ideal location could be helpful. Each organization and conference offers a unique experience. As you explore the museum role, you adopt the best conferences for you, and you will quickly stand out. As an emerging professional, using the conference space to continue your personal development and explore how other museums tackle issues can be very helpful.   

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Jason Harris PhD
Lecturer, Museum Studies
Norman OK
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Dear Jason

Thanks for the insight. I did enjoy going to LA this year for CAM (California Assosasion of Museums). I will keep all of this in mind.

Thanks gain,

Rachel

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Rachel Alschuler
Museum Education/ Visitor Experience
San Francisco CA
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-28-2026 09:09 AM
From: Jason Harris
Subject: A contemplation on conferences

Rachel,

That is a great question to ask. I tell my students that conferences are a great place for professional development and networking. I encourage them to take the time to find the conferences that align with their career goals. For those who are about to enter the field or considering relocation, attending a strong state or regional conference in your ideal location could be helpful. Each organization and conference offers a unique experience. As you explore the museum role, you adopt the best conferences for you, and you will quickly stand out. As an emerging professional, using the conference space to continue your personal development and explore how other museums tackle issues can be very helpful.   

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Jason Harris PhD
Lecturer, Museum Studies
Norman OK
------------------------------

Hi Rachel,

Thank you for the prompt to think about the relevance of a museum conference. Like you, I enjoy attending a museum conference. Being amongst likeminded people reminds me that the work that chose me; oddly, I did not choose to work in a museum, suited my capabilities. Even better, the museum/cultural center where I work represents the sovereign tribes in my home state, and I happen to be from one of those tribes. All around, the learning experience continues and sitting in a room full of attentive and always ready to learn museum folk is rewarding. I'm not always able to attend conferences, so with those gaps one thing I notice is how the museum field shifts - whether it be due to the pandemic, the current political climate, or changes in how museums approach working with Home communities. I also greatly enjoy having the opportunity to visit museums in other locations outside of my home state. One can learn a lot about how other museums choose to interpret, display, and share knowledge with their public. Anyway, thanks again for asking. - Amy 

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[Amy] [Johnson]
[Curator of Collections]
[Indian Pueblo Cultural Center]
[Albuquerque] [NM]
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Dear Any

Thanks, I like hearing all the perspectives and insight. It is  also good to be connected to ones community. I look forward to hopefully to connect. 

Thanks again,

Rachel

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Rachel Alschuler
Museum Education/ Visitor Experience
San Francisco CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-29-2026 11:49 AM
From: Amy Johnson
Subject: A contemplation on conferences

Hi Rachel,

Thank you for the prompt to think about the relevance of a museum conference. Like you, I enjoy attending a museum conference. Being amongst likeminded people reminds me that the work that chose me; oddly, I did not choose to work in a museum, suited my capabilities. Even better, the museum/cultural center where I work represents the sovereign tribes in my home state, and I happen to be from one of those tribes. All around, the learning experience continues and sitting in a room full of attentive and always ready to learn museum folk is rewarding. I'm not always able to attend conferences, so with those gaps one thing I notice is how the museum field shifts - whether it be due to the pandemic, the current political climate, or changes in how museums approach working with Home communities. I also greatly enjoy having the opportunity to visit museums in other locations outside of my home state. One can learn a lot about how other museums choose to interpret, display, and share knowledge with their public. Anyway, thanks again for asking. - Amy 

------------------------------
[Amy] [Johnson]
[Curator of Collections]
[Indian Pueblo Cultural Center]
[Albuquerque] [NM]
------------------------------