Before the three days of informative sessions and networking events begin at WMA's Annual Meeting, WMA provides attendees with a unique opportunity to engage with one another during Pre-Conference Tours and Workshops. This year, a handful of attendees will go behind the scenes of some of Reno’s most iconic cultural institutions, and others will participate in hands-on workshops led by inspiring museum professionals and experts. Please keep in mind, each Tour and Workshop does require pre-registration, and space is limited.
PRE-CONFERENCE TOURS
All take place at the specified institution/location on Wednesday, October 1.
Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Museum
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
$63, includes transportation, museum admission, a guided tour, and a box lunch
CAP: 20 people
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
CAP: 20 people
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
All take place at the specified location on Wednesday, October 1, from 9:00 am to 1:00pm.
Where do SEOs Go to Cry? Maximizing Free Marketing Tools
Location: Founders Room at the Nevada Museum of Art
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.
Cost: $25 (Includes all materials)
Presenters:
Amy Oppio, Chief Operating Officer | Deputy Director, Nevada Museum of Art
Chad Hallert, Chief Marketing Officer, Good Giant
Elevating Visitor Voices: Innovative Approaches to Qualitative Research
Location: LAB at the Nevada Museum of Art
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.
Cost: $25 (Includes all materials)
Presenters:
Naomi Schroeter, Visitor Insights Specialist, Oakland Museum of California
Patrick Padiernos, Visitor Insights Specialist, Oakland Museum of California
Location: Compass Room at The DISCOVERY
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.
Cost: $25 (Includes all materials)
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
Each of these Pre-Conference Tours and Workshops require pre-registration.
Please register here or click the button below.
We look forward to welcoming you to Reno!
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