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Other Sessions

We will have four other sessions for conference participants to take part in throughout their conference experience. 

Museum Cafe

Tuesday, October 20th, from 4:15-5:00pm

Oakland Ballroom


The Museum Cafe is similar to a speed dating event for museum topics. Participants will have the chance to discuss a variety of different museum topics in short, ten minute increments. You'll have the chance to meet new people, network, learn something new, and share expertise. Join your colleagues in this fun, fast-paced session! 

This year's topics: 

    • Handling burnout for museum workers
    • Interpretation of controversial topics 
    • Accreditation 
    • Provenance conundrums
    • Member & Donor Retention
    • HR Questions & Concerns
    • Data Collection on Visitors
    • Emergency Response
    • Tech in Museums
    • 2027 MMA Conference Brainstorm Session

Conversation Stations

Wednesday, October 21st, from 8:30-11:15am

Vendor Hallway

Conversation Stations are similar to poster sessions at more formal or academic conferences, but with a broader application. You can propose an idea or ask questions about any topic you think the field might be interested in. Conference attendees can visit one or multiple stations to have informal chats with the station facilitator and other attendees. 

Topics this year:

  • Cultural Heritage Emergency and Disaster Response
  • Building Better Relationships in the Local History Community
  • The Last Exhibit: More Than a Gift Shop
  • Collection Conundrums? Ask a Registrar!
  • Field Trips!
  • What is Section 106?: Public Consultation for Community Benefit
  • Projections of Michigan: Strengthening Our Roots through Inclusive Pedagogical Practices
  • Historic House Museums Member Community
  • MMA's Member Communities

Slide Sprint

Wednesday, October 21st, 9-9:45am

Oakland Ballroom


The Slide Sprint session will give 3-5 conference attendees the chance to reflect on the conference theme using 20 slides shown in 20 second intervals, similar to a PechaKucha presentation. The Slide Sprint presentations will take place during the morning general session on Wednesday, October 21st.

This year's presentations are: 

  • Stronger Together: Empowering the Newcomers - Malcolm Cottle
  • Great Combos - Regina Gorham

Colleague Celebration

Wednesday, October 21st, 11:15a-12:00p

Oakland Ballroom


Join us to celebrate our 2026 Colleague Champions!

MMA members were invited to nominate colleagues they feel have done something particularly special this year for our Colleague Champion awards. Nominations this year were for a variety of reasons including exhibit design, advocacy work, fundraising efforts, community engagement, collaboration, making exhibits and institutions more accessible, and for being helpful colleagues, mentors, and leaders in the field. Join us in celebration of our colleague's accomplishments! 


We will also be announcing the 2027 conference location at the end, so you won't want to miss this! 


2026 Conference Partners


The Michigan Museums Association is supported in part by an award from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

MMA with conversation bubbles

313-334-7643

P.O. Box 5246

Cheboygan, MI 49721

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