by Jennifer Ortiz and Molly Wilmoth, co-chairs Program Committee

At the start of March, the WMA 2018 Program Committee met in Tacoma, WA for our second and final planning meeting for this year’s Annual Meeting. Our 2018 Program Committee is comprised of a diverse group of museum leaders from all corners of the Western region. Over four very full days—two in January and the other two in March—the Program Committee discussed and reviewed nearly 100 session proposals, using the theme of INSPIRE as their guide.

Given the wealth of excellent session submissions this year, selecting the final program was not an easy process. Ultimately, 42 sessions were selected for October’s Annual Meeting. The sessions that the Program Committee selected span a wide variety of topics relevant to the world of museums. Topics emerging from the session proposals include social change movements led by museums, practical tools to increase diversity in museum staff and volunteers, and the current and future challenges for museum studies programs.

One of the highlights of the Program Committee meetings is the opportunity to get to know the Annual Meeting host city better. Tacoma is well-known for its museum district, a group of six museums located in downtown Tacoma, which have been a big part of the area’s economic redevelopment which now features great shopping, excellent restaurants and many breweries. Between the inspiring museums and the vibrant downtown core of Tacoma, WMA 2018 promises to be a sensational Annual Meeting.