Thursday, October 2, 2025
Scoring Big: A Playbook for Building a Culture of Philanthropy
Learning Format: Conversation
From Hesitation to Action: Building Advocacy Confidence in Museums
Learning Format: Active Learning
Nevertheless, she/they/he persisted: strategies for staying the course in turbulent times
Learning Format: Conversation
Join us for honest conversations about making progress while navigating cyclical changes of political ideologies and the manipulation of language often associated with them. Learn about historical examples of adaptation from our field and how lessons learned then can guide us now. Colleagues will share lived experiences and invite you to share yours in small groups focused on helping you find your own answers, while building empathy for differing perspectives as strategies to stay the course.
Reciprocal and Transactional Relationships
Learning Format: Conversation
What is the difference between reciprocity and transaction? This session explores how these approaches to developing relationships can effect everything from the project planning, community engagement, to staff satisfaction.
Beyond the Refrigerator Magnet: Brand Strategies that Fulfill Promise
Learning Format: Active Learning
Elevating Your Mindset in Collections
Learning Format: Conversation
Elevating Your Mindset in Collections will dive into the benefits of maintaining collections for the public as well as ourselves. Collections staff work hard and are passionate, but many times behind the scenes work is overlooked and under appreciated (even unintentionally so). The Registrars Committee Western Region wants to bring some joy back into the work we do and celebrate our wins, big and small.
Exhibit Hall Happy Hour
FREE!
Mingle after sessions at the Exhibit Hall Happy Hour enjoy meeting a variety of colleagues including specific meet ups for collections folks, small museum professionals, and LGBTQ+ attendees. Non-alcoholic beverages will be provided for free. Discounted drink tickets may be purchased during online registration with a cash bar onsite.
Exhibit Hall Networking & Refreshment Break
Enjoy coffee, tea, and light snacks while perusing exhibitors' booths, bidding on silent auction items, and networking with peers.
Sponsored by Good Giant
Exhibit Hall Networking Lunch
FREE!
Join your colleagues in the Exhibit Hall where you can explore vendor offerings and enjoy lunch courtesy of the WMA. Make sure to start bidding on the fabulous items in the silent auction that were generously donated by our members. All proceeds benefit the Wanda Chin Scholarship funds to help colleagues attend future Annual Meetings.
Director & Leadership Team Reception
Cost: $40
Join your fellow directors and leadership team members in this special reception.
Sponsored by MATT Construction
