Over the course of WMA's 2025 Annual Meeting and 90th anniversary celebration, attendees will attend a fantastic lineup of engaging and informative sessions at the headquarters hotel, and will be transported outside, into the vibrant city of Reno for a variety of networking events.
You'll find descriptions, dates, and times on each event below.
In addition to these outside gatherings, attendees will have opportunities to experience the annual Poster Session, Activity Stations, Roundtable Discussions, and other social functions at the hotel. More information on these can be found below or in our Preliminary Program!
Pre-Conference Tours · Pre-Conference Workshops · Receptions & Happy Hours · WMA Lunch · Affinity Luncheons
Download the WMA 2025 Preliminary Program Program
Wednesday, October 1
PRE-CONFERENCE TOURS
Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Museum (10:00 AM—2:00 PM)
$63, includes transportation, museum admission, a guided tour, and a box lunch
The Pyramid Lake Museum is the only tribal museum in the State of Nevada. The museum shares the history and culture to promote appreciation and respect for the Numu (Paiute people), land, water, and resources. This tour will provide insight into the Kooyooe Tukadu, Pyramid Lake Paiutes, and Kooyooe Pa’a, Pyramid Lake. The lake, known as “Gem in the Desert,” has spiritual significance. The lake and the museum were recently named as one of the “Top 10 Indigenous Experiences in 2025” by the American Indian/Alaska Native Tourism Association.
Stewart Indian School Cultural Center & Museum (10:00 AM—2:00 PM)
$63, includes transportation, museum admission, a guided tour, and a box lunch
Head south from Reno to Nevada’s capital, Carson City for a tour of the Stewart Indian School Cultural Center & Museum. Participants will receive an overview of the history of the Stewart Indian School which is a complex story of forced assimilation between 1890- 1980. Over time, the story transitions for many students who chose to make Stewart their home. Participants will tour our museum, make a take home gift from our garden, and visit our gift shop featuring handmade items by local artists. Boxed lunch provided.
CSI: REGISTRARS (9:00 AM—3:00 PM)
FREE to RC-WR Members – event space limited (visit RCWR.org to join for just $25/year!).
Location: TBD (Transportation provided)Free lunch provided courtesy of RC-WR
Registration is through the Registrars Committee Western Region. For more information on participating or to submit your project for consideration, go to rcwr.org or contact RCWR Vice Chair Stephanie Mohr at vicechair@rcwr.org. Each year, in conjunction with the Western Museums Association Annual Meeting, the Registrars Committee - Western Region organizes its members to volunteer their professional skills at a museum near where the meeting is being held. Join us for “CSI: Registrars” (Collections Services Initiative), an all-day event of giving back to our collections community!
PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS
Exhibit Development 101: Elevate Your Museum’s Storytelling and Design (9:00pm–1:00pm)
Cost: $25 (Includes all materials)
Exhibit development is both an art and a science, requiring creativity, collaboration, and practical know-how. This session demystifies the fundamentals of exhibit design, from concept to installation, helping museum professionals elevate their approach. Through real-world examples and hands-on exercises, participants will gain a deeper understanding of visitor-centered storytelling, spatial planning, and interactive elements. Whether you’re new to exhibitions or refining your skills, this session provides essential tools to create impactful and engaging museum experiences.
Presenters
- Catherine Diaz, Business Development Manager, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
- Tom Cummins, Director of Exhibits, Science World
- Ciera Iveson, Freelance creative director and exhibit developer/designer
- Daniel Guyton, Traveling Exhibits Manager, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
Elevating Visitor Voices: Innovative Approaches to Qualitative Research (9:00pm–1:00pm)
Cost: $25 (Includes all materials)
In this workshop, learn how to use qualitative visitor data to gain insights into your institution’s visitor base, including voices and experiences that are often overlooked. Bring in visitor comments, talk-back exhibit responses, or other qualitative data from your institution, or work with example data to learn how to collect, code, analyze, and report information about visitors’ museum experiences. A range of analysis techniques for all staff levels will be demonstrated.
Presenters:
- Naomi Schroeter, Visitor Insights Specialist, Oakland Museum of California
- Patrick Padiernos, Visitor Insights Specialist, Oakland Museum of California
Where do SEOs Go to Cry? Maximizing Free Marketing Tools (9:00pm–1:00pm)
Cost: $25 (Includes all materials)
Don’t end up on the second page of Google! This workshop invites both the novice and experienced marketer to evaluate how you use of free marketing tools to maximize your message. Participants will bring information and ideas from their own museums to share, create and evaluate. Effective tactics discussed include: 1.) developing a content strategy 2.) social media engagement 3.) community building 4) e-mail marketing and CRM 5.) leveraging free marketing tools. Hosted by Good Giant.
Presenters:
- Amy Oppio, Chief Operating Officer | Deputy Director, Nevada Museum of Art
- Chad Hallert, Chief Marketing Officer, Good Giant
OPENING NIGHT EVENTS
Opening Reception (5:00-6:30)
Renaissance Reno Downtown Hotel, Topaz Ballroom
FREE!
Join your fellow WMA 2025 attendees for an Opening Reception in the Exhibit Hall. Start your first evening in Reno enjoying appetizers, drinks, and connecting with colleagues and our corporate members.
Night Shift: A Classic Car Soirée at the National Automobile Museum (6:20-9:00)
$45, includes appetizers and drinks
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.
Thursday, October 2
RECEPTIONS & HAPPY HOURS
Director & Leadership Team Reception (5:00-6:00)
Cost: $40
Join your fellow directors and leadership team members in this special reception.
Sponsored by MATT Construction
Exhibit Hall Happy Hour (5:00–6:00)
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.
EVENING EVENT
The Discovery (7:00-9:30)
$40, includes appetizers and drinks
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!
Friday, October 3
WMA Community Lunch (12:30-1:45)
Cost: $60
A celebration of WMA’s 90 years of gathering museum professionals to better our field with a special love letter to WMA by our Board President, Noelle Kahanu, Acting Director, Museum Studies Graduate Certificate Program, University of Hawaii at Monoa.
Sponsored by DLR Group
EVENING EVENT
WMA 90th Anniversary Party @ Nevada Museum of Art (7:00-9:30)
$45, includes appetizers and drinks
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!
Saturday, October 4
AFFINITY LUNCHEONS
Indigenous Luncheon (12:00-1:15)
Cost: $55
Enjoy meeting your colleagues from tribal museums and supporters of Native American concerns. All are welcome! The Luncheon will feature guest speaker Joshua Bonde, Executive Director, Stewart Indian School Cultural Center & Museum. Discussion will
follow.
Sponsored by Barona Band of Mission Indians
Storytellers and Supporters Luncheon (12:00-1:15)
Cost: $55
Especially for curators, development officers, educators, evaluators, exhibit designers, and all who make possible the engaging stories that museums tell, but open to all. The recipient of the Charles Redd Award for exhibit excellence will present on the winning exhibition.
Sponsored by TBD
Registrar’s Committee Western Luncheon (12:00-1:15)
Cost: $25
The Registrar’s Committee Western Region (RCWR) Annual Business Meeting Luncheon is open to RCWR members, collection professionals, and related vendors.
Sponsored by TBD
Director & Leadership Team’s Luncheon (12:00-1:15)
Cost: $55
This luncheon is open to Directors, Deputy Directors, CEOs, CFOs, Leadership Team Members, and Trustees. The Luncheon will feature guest speaker Tony Manfredi, Executive Director, Nevada Arts Council. Discussion will follow.
Sponsored by Blue Rhino Design
EVENING EVENT
Renaissance Reno Downtown Hotel (6:30-9:00)
$40, includes appetizers and drinks
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!
Facilitators:
- Seth Margolis, Director of Education Operations, The Museum of Flight
- Molly Wilmoth, Curator of Education and Engagement, High Desert Museum
- Katie Buckingham, Curator, The Museum of Glass
Registration for WMA's 2025 Annual Meeting is NOW OPEN!