Building Connections Across Your State

ID: WMA2026_641

Track:

How do you engage with others in your field? Are you looking for colleagues doing similar work, or help advocating for your museum? Your state museum association provides a framework of connectivity you can tap into. Every western state has an active association with a mission to help your museum thrive. Join us to explore how engaging with your state association benefits you professionally and builds a stronger community. We are stronger together.

Session Information

Format: Regular session/panel (roundtable, single speaker, etc.)

Uniqueness: This is an opportunity for attendees to engage directly with state museum association leaders and better understand the resources available at the state level.

Objectives: By the end of this session, attendees will: Objective 1: expand their network with at least 3 new colleagues.  Objective 2: be aware of the resources state museum associations offer and how they can benefit and understand the variety of ways they can engage with state museum associations - as a member, board or committee volunteer, or program participant. Objective 3: learn how to join advocacy efforts being led by state museum associations.

Engagement: At the beginning of the session, attendees will be provided with an overview of information. Participants will then engage in small group discussions and reflection. All participants will leave with actionable information regarding how to connect with other museum professionals in their state and region.

Relationship to Theme:

Audience

Audiences: Curators/Scientists/Historians Development and Membership Officers Events Planning Facilities Management Personnel Marketing & Communications (Including Social Media) Registrars, Collections Managers Technology 

Professional Level: All levels 

Scalability: State associations serve museums of all sizes and budgets — whether a large natural history museum or a small community historical society, there is a meaningful way to engage.

Participants