Over the course of four consecutive days at WMA’s 2025 Annual Meeting, headquartered at the Renaissance Reno Downtown, attendees will attend a fantastic lineup of engaging, informative sessions, and can participate in multifaceted learning opportunities including the perennially popular Poster Session, casual Roundtable Discussions, and hands-on Activity Stations.
But every year, major highlights for many attendees are the fun, engaging Evening Events; and this year, attendees will be transported outside, into the sunny city where they will experience the unique history, art, and community found within some of Reno’s most iconic cultural institutions.
Here’s a sneak peek of this year’s WMA 2025 Evening Events.
Wednesday, October 1
The National Automobile Museum
Rev up your engines and cruise into an unforgettable evening at the National Automobile Museum! With over 265 vehicles—many from the legendary Bill Harrah Collection—this exclusive event offers a rare opportunity to experience automotive history like never before. Wander through our four immersive galleries, each showcasing a different era of automotive innovation, from the 1890s to the present day. Engage with our knowledgeable docents stationed throughout the galleries, ready to share fascinating stories and insights about our collection. Whether you're a seasoned museum professional or a newcomer to the field, "Night Shift: A Classic Car Soirée" promises an evening of inspiration, networking, and a deep dive into the artistry and history of the automobile.
$45, includes appetizers and drinks
Thursday, October 2
The DISCOVERY
Join The Discovery for an inspirational evening of science exploration. Explore The Discovery’s 67,000 square feet of exhibitions focused on science, technology, engineering, and invention, all designed to inspire curiosity, creativity, and the joy of lifelong learning. Attendees will also have the chance to explore Super Human: Power of Technology, the museum’s featured exhibition. Enjoy generous food, drink and be wowed by science demonstrations, in a night guaranteed to inspire curiosity!
$40, includes appetizers and drinks
Friday, October 3
WMA @ 90 Party at the Nevada Museum of Art
Celebrate WMA’s 90th anniversary with a party at the Nevada Museum of Art! Join us for a special evening of connecting with colleagues. Food and drink open the party as we enjoy the sunset from the Nightingale Sky Room overlooking the Sierra Nevada. Mark 90 years of WMA gathering museum folks by exploring the galleries, the newly opened Charles and Stacie Mathewson Education + Research Center, and seeing a variety of exhibitions. Thank you for being a part of WMA’s journey moving the museum field forward!
$45, includes appetizers and drinks
Saturday, October 4
Renaissance Reno Downtown
Spend the last night of the Annual Meeting chilling with colleagues at the Renaissance Reno Downtown Hotel. Take it easy with libations, hearty appetizers, and an exciting mix of activities and educational offerings to connect with fellow attendees. Attend the session “Reno what you did last summer: the campfire doubles down!” or join the WMA Book Club. Learn about Kumeyaay culture through playing traditional games. Through it all, forge new connections, find old friends, and recharge–with no need to rush to catch that last event.
“Reno what you did last summer: the campfire doubles down!”
Grab a s’more and take a seat around the (artificial) campfire as we swap even more unimaginable but true tales of museum craft, such as -Adventures with Administration - Bewildering board behavior -Creepy collections chronicles -Devilish development dramas -Diabolical deferred maintenance myths -Facility management fables -Hair raising HR reports -Private events potboilers -Spooktacular security stories.
Learn from those who have lived to tell these tales…and share your own if you dare!
$40, includes appetizers and drinks
Each of these Evening Events requires pre-registration.
Please register here or click the button below.
We look forward to welcoming you to Reno!
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