AMM 2024 Conference

Thank you for joining us in Columbus!

The Association of Midwest Museums hosted its annual conference in Columbus, OH, at the Hilton Columbus at Easton on July 31-August 3, 2024, in addition to Virtual Day on July 24 with bonus sessions on de-escalation and Art Bridges Foundation programs in the days to follow. The 2024 Conference was organized in collaboration with the Ohio Museums Association and featured 49 virtual and in-person sessions, 9 pre-conference tours and workshops, 4 fantastic offsite excursions highlighting 10 museums, and 10 inspiring speakers. Five institutions and individuals were recognized with AMM Awards during the Midwest Museums Recognition Lunch, and dozens of paper airplanes launched during Prize Hour.

Program Highlights:

  • Keynote Speaker: Susie Wilkening, Wilkening Consulting
  • Flash Talks: Hillary Bates, Highlights for Children; Sarah Lagrotteria, Just Bloom School; Stephanie Matthews, A Tribe for Jazz; and Ashley Darr, Experience Columbus
  • Special General Session: Collaboration is Key – Making Columbus a “Museums for All” Hub City, featuring moderators from Minnetrista Museum & Gardens, Lindsey C Horan and Jennifer Parks-Strack, and panelists Lauren Emond, Manager for Community Engagement, Columbus Museum of Art; Alexandria Ingley Community Engagement Coordinator, Ohio History Connection; Ashley Legg, Guest Experience Manager, National Veteran’s Memorial and Museum; Amanda McVey, Vice President of Administration & Finance, CFO, COSI: Center of Science and Industry; and Jenny Pope Director of Community Outreach and Education, Franklin Park Conservatory
  • Leadership Breakfast: Navigating the Political Divide, fireside chat with Frederic Bertley, Ph.D., President and CEO, Center of Science and Industry (COSI), and Kent S. Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, Highlights for Children, Inc.
  • Opening Night Event: Downtown Museum Hop, featuring the Center of Science and Industry (COSI), Central Ohio Fire Museum, Columbus Museum of Art, and the National Veterans Memorial and Museum
  • Thursday Night Event: The Ohio Experience, featuring Ohio History Connection, Ohio Village, and the Ohio State Fair
  • Closing Night Event: A Night at OSU, featuring the Orton Geological Museum, Wexner Center for the Arts, and the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum
  • Saturday Retreat at Newark Earthworks, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

We enjoyed hosting 420 virtual and in-person attendees representing over 150 museums this year, and invite you to explore our photo gallery below for more highlights of the event!

2024 Conference Photo Gallery