The annual three-day conference is typically held in a larger city within one of the eight participating states. This year’s Association of Midwest Museums conference is being held in Madison.
The Association’s “largest and most important program” provides a relaxing forum for professional networking, the exchange of information, and new trends in the biz. “You know we have to keep up. It’s a very fast-moving world,” says Wisconsin Historical Society Director Ellsworth Brown, co-chair of the conference.
As one example of a new trend, leaders in the museum field are examining the use of video games to entice more people to visit museums while learning about them. Brown says educational video games for mobile devices require human interaction and are enjoyable.
AUDIO: Director Ellsworth Brown :24
The event varies locations from year to year. Having this event in Madison will have a positive economic impact on the area. “Imagine about 300 participants,” Brown says, “multiplied by room rate, food, transportation, and all of the rest … it’s significant.”
The conference also offer adjunct programs as a way to show off the capital city, including a tour of the Capitol building, a tour of some historic sites, and receptions at different area museums.
Eight states are represented in the Association of Midwest Museums, including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
Tourism Secretary Stephanie Klett is scheduled to be a keynote speaker on Wednesday. The event runs (from July 14) through Wednesday the 17th.