This October, I attended my first Western Museums Association (WMA) Annual Meeting in Reno, Nevada—an experience that was both familiar and refreshingly new. After more than two decades in the museum field, I’ve been to my share of professional gatherings. Yet stepping into WMA 2025 as a Wanda Chin Scholarship recipient reminded me how valuable it is to approach our work with a learner’s mindset, no matter how long we’ve been in the profession.
A Warm Welcome in the Biggest Little City
Held at the Renaissance Reno Downtown, the conference took full advantage of its setting. Reno in early October is alive with color and energy, and the Truckee River provided a literal and metaphorical current running through the week—movement, reflection, and renewal. The theme, “Elevate,” challenged us to think about how we lift up our institutions, our colleagues, and the communities we serve.
From the very first reception, I was struck by the tone of WMA: approachable, collaborative, and refreshingly unpretentious. This wasn’t a conference of silos or hierarchies—it was a gathering of people who genuinely want to make museums better, together.
The Wanda Chin Scholarship
I am deeply grateful to the Western Museums Association and the Wanda Chin Scholarship program for making my attendance possible. The scholarship not only supports travel and registration—it symbolizes WMA’s commitment to access, inclusion, and professional growth for museum workers at all career stages.
Although I’ve been part of museum leadership for years, being a scholarship recipient offered me something new: the chance to step into the conference as both mentor and learner. Meeting the other recipients, hearing their diverse journeys into museum work, and sharing our experiences over breakfast and between sessions reminded me how essential it is to keep those cross-generational and cross-disciplinary conversations alive.
Sessions That Sparked Connection
The conference offered a range of sessions — each as diverse as the institutions and communities they represented. From a hands-on exhibit workshop to thought-provoking Tribal panels and the largest lightning-speed networking event that I have ever participated in, WMA 2025 truly embodied the spirit of shared learning. WMA also addressed current topics that everyone in our field is facing and that we all need support in navigating. Whether it is the current administration, funding, or the rise of AI, WMA tackled it all during the conference.
The speakers themselves reflected the strength of our field—leaders and educators who spoke with both expertise and humility. Many presentations encouraged dialogue rather than lecture, inviting participants to share experiences, ask questions, and build on one another’s ideas. I appreciated the way WMA intentionally blended professional development with personal connection; conversations often spilled out of the meeting rooms into the lounges and evening events.
Between the Sessions
Anyone who has attended a conference knows that some of the most meaningful moments happen in the hallways, at the coffee pot, or during an organized social event. I had conversations with colleagues from Utah, Hawaii, and California that will shape my thinking about rural access, cultural representation, organizational collaboration, and the sustainability of museums moving forward. The reception at the Nevada Museum of Art was a particular highlight—a perfect blend of inspiration and connection. Surrounded by art, conversation flowed easily. I also found space for quiet reflection. As someone who spends most of my time leading others, it felt restorative to absorb new ideas solely for my own growth.
Paying It Forward
The Wanda Chin Scholarship opened a door, but it also came with a sense of responsibility. My goal now is to bring what I learned back to Oregon—to share insights with OMA members, encourage other professionals to attend conferences, and strengthen the connections between our regional and statewide networks.
For anyone who has never attended WMA, I highly recommend it. It’s a rare space where museum people—at every level, from every kind of institution—can meet as equals, learn from each other, and leave better equipped to face the challenges ahead.
Looking Ahead
As I returned home from Reno, my suitcase was heavier with notes, ideas, and business cards—but my outlook was lighter. The Western Museums Association reminded me that after two decades in this field, I still have so much to learn and even more to share. Next year, I’ll be back—hopefully meeting with new attendees, maybe another Wanda Chin Scholar, and certainly ready to continue this work of connection, collaboration, and elevation.
Heather Christenbury
Coos History Museum Executive Director
OMA Board President
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