⇐ Return to MMA Homepage

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

Oakwood 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! 

Last year's topics included:

  • Museum Advocacy
  • Funding & Budget Concerns
  • Small Team Solutions
  • Strategic Planning
  • Public Programming for Diverse Audiences
  • Collections Ethics
  • NAGPRA & Repatriation
  • Immersive Exhibitions
  • Evaluation
  • 2026 MMA Conference Brainstorming

2026 topics will be announced later this summer.

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. Example topics from past conferences include:

  • Fostering Belonging and Value Through Museum Programs
  • Cultural Heritage Emergency and Disaster Response
  • Negotiating NAGPRA
  • Creating MOAs for Cultural Action with Municipal Partners

Want to host a Conversation Station? 

2026 Conversation Station proposals will open later this summer. Keep an eye on the MMA Weekly and this page for updates.

Slide Sprint

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

Oakwood 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.

If you are interested in presenting a Slide Sprint presentation, proposals will open later this summer. Keep an eye on the MMA Weekly and this webpage for updates. 

Previous topics include: 

  • Public Art Passport Powered By Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum - Megan McAdow
  • Raising Leaders: Fostering a FOR Mindset - Melanie Depcinski
  • The Future of Storytelling - Joel Zwart

Colleague Celebration

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

Oakwood Ballroom


MMA members are invited to nominate colleagues they feel have done something particularly special this year for our Colleague Champion awards. This can be for their efforts on a project or team, or for their service to their museum or community. In the past, recipients were nominated for a multitude 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.  

Nomination forms will open later this summer. Keep an eye on the MMA Weekly for updates.


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

Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software