#AAM2023 FAQ

General Questions

What are the dates and the location for the 2023 AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo?

The 2023 AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo is taking place May 19-22, 2023 at the Colorado Convention Center at 700 14th St, Denver, CO 80202.

What are the current health and safety protocols for #AAM2023?
We are following the city of Denver’s current health and safety protocols. More information on specific health and safety protocols and/or recommendations will be shared prior to the conference. Wearing a mask and staying home if you feel sick will be recommended for all attendees.

Will there be a virtual option for the 2023 AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo?

There will not be a virtual option for the 2023 AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo. Successfully executing a hybrid meeting for a conference of our size and scale would, according to industry standards, increase expenses by 100-150%; this is the equivalent to conducting two separate events simultaneously, each with their own logistics, expenses, and staffing needs (for example, the cost of internet service alone is exorbitantly high at convention centers). We work hard to keep registration costs as low as possible for our attendees, and while adding a virtual component may seem like it would allow more people to attend at lower costs, in reality, it could result in a conference that is unaffordable to many.

What is the theme for the 2023 AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo?

The #AAM2023 theme is Social & Community Impact, with educational programming centering on four thematic tracks: People, Power, Planet, and Possibility. Learn more about the theme.

What’s new at #AAM2023?

Learn more about all the exciting updates for #AAM2023 in our recent blog post.

Are any sessions being recorded?

This year, we are planning to record several sessions at #AAM2023. The General Session on Friday, May 19 and the Keynote on Saturday, May 20 will be recorded and made publicly available. In addition, the following sessions will be recorded (though subject to change) and made available as on-demand programs to AAM members this summer:

Friday, May 19

• 11:30 am-12:30 pm – Putting Social Science to Work in Climate Change Interpretation
• 2:00-3:00 pm – Leaning into Value: Measuring and Monetizing Visitor Experiences
• 4:30-5:30 pm – Every Museum is a Community Museum: Defining and Prioritizing Communities

Saturday, May 20

• 8:00 – 9:00 am – Access Journey: From one-off events to creating a culture of accessibility
• 11:15 am-12:15 – pm Get it Together: A Regional Approach to Connect to Descendant Communities
• 2:00-3:00 pm – Different Lenses for Addressing Our Planet Crisis
• 3:15-4:15 pm – The Power of Data-Driven Member Research to Drive Growth & Build Resilience

Sunday, May 21

• 8:40-10:10 am – Measuring Museum Social Impact: Lessons & Resources from a National Study
• 10:20-11:50 am – Making History Accessible: Toolkit for Multisensory Interpretation
• 3:00-4:30 pm – Questions an Organization Should Ask When Transitioning a Volunteer Program

What steps are being taken to make #AAM2023 accessible?

While registering, you will be prompted to indicate any accessibility needs. This includes sign language interpreters, wheelchair accessibility (i.e. ramps, or lifts), or reserved seating in session rooms. We will follow up with you prior to the meeting to provide resources or obtain more information.

If you require an aide or personal assistant to help you navigate the Annual Meeting and MuseumExpo, we will register your aide as a complimentary guest. We encourage registrants to include their accessibility needs on the registration form. Email meetings@aam-us.org to add an aide to your registration.

Additionally, there will be clearly marked assigned gender-neutral bathrooms throughout the Colorado Convention Center.

For more information about general accommodations and wheelchair or scooter rentals, visit our accessibility page.

#AAM2023 Registration

When will registration open?

Registration is now open! Early Bird rates ended on February 15, and Advanced rates end May 18. On-site registration is available through May 22. Register early to get the best rates.

I already registered. How do I get my badge?

Ahead of the Annual Meeting, you will receive your registration confirmation with a barcode that can be used to scan and pick up your badge at registration located in Lobby A of the Colorado Convention Center. You can also locate your confirmation and barcode in the Attendee Service Center after you’ve registered. Staff are able to assist you during the registration hours listed below:

Thursday, May 18: 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday, May 19: 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday, May 20: 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday, May 21: 7:00 am – 5:00 pm

How do I register for events and pre- and post-conference workshops?

Registration for ticketed events and pre- and post-conference workshops is now open. All ticketed events are limited in space, so be sure to secure your spot by registering for #AAM2023 early!

Can I purchase event or pre- and post-conference workshop tickets without registering for the Annual Meeting?

You must be registered for #AAM2023 to purchase tickets for events and any pre- and post-conference workshops. Educational tours can be purchased for guests of registrants as part of your registration.

How are registration rates determined?

Registration rates can be found on our website, here. AAM Tier 3 Museum, Professional, Retiree, and Student members receive discounts on Annual Meeting registration. If you need to double-check your membership status, you can do so here.

Every year, we look forward to bringing an impressive cross-section of the museum field together for our Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo.  We learn so much from each other, and we make valuable interpersonal connections that are critical for moving our field forward.

A national conference of our size costs over $3 million over several years (in vendor and convention fees, AV, software, events, transportation, staff, etc.), and up to $850 per attendee. The average amount paid by attendees directly is $424—only about half of the real costs, thanks in part to our sponsors and supporters. We understand not everyone is able to afford the registration fee, and each year, we offer many free or deeply discounted registrations through scholarships and other opportunities.

We also know that to meet our full potential, our Alliance needs to hear from the broadest possible spectrum of people who work in our field – from emerging professionals to senior leaders, from large and small museums, and from a diverse array of individuals, particularly those in groups that are underrepresented in our field. For some, the costs of attending a conference may put this rewarding experience out of reach, and that means a lost opportunity not only for these professionals but for our field as a whole.  The more voices we can include, the better our results in tackling the challenges for our field and our future.

That’s why we’re always looking for ways to make our Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo more affordable, both by creating opportunities to lower your costs and by increasing available scholarship funds. After four years of not raising rates, for our 2023 Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo, we have made increases in some registration fees in order to cover rising costs. We will be offering scholarships and discounted registration opportunities, as well as volunteer opportunities with more information coming soon.

I’m a member, but I don’t see the discounted rate when I register.

Please log in with the login information associated with your individual profile. If you don’t have one yet, you can create one here. This profile can be connected to your museum’s account to access any available registration discounts. For more information on logins and profiles, please visit our membership FAQ page.

Please note, registration discounts apply only to AAM Tier 3 Museum, Professional, Retiree, and Student Members.

Is one-day registration available?

Yes, one-day registration is available. You can find all registration pricing information on our website, here.

When does Early Bird registration end?
Early Bird registration ends February 15. Advanced registration rates end on May 18.

Are there discounts for group registration?

Group registration is now open. Once four individuals belonging to the same institution, regardless of membership status, register for the Annual Meeting, any additional registrations from that institution will receive $100 off their registration at checkout.
The registration platform will use your email address domain to determine if you are part of a group (e.g. @aam-us.org) to determine if you are part of a group. You can log in here to update the email address on your profile to ensure you are recognized as part of your museum’s group. Individuals with existing promo codes or other discounts are not eligible for additional discounts, but do count towards an organization’s group size minimum. Questions about group registration? Contact membership [at] aam-us.org

When does registration close?

There is no deadline to register for #AAM2023. However, the Early Bird registration rate deadline is February 15 and Advanced rates end May 18.

I have a credit from a 2020 or 2021 registration that I would like to transfer to the 2023 AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo. What should I do next?

Thank you for transferring your registration to the 2023 AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo! You should have received an email with more information about how to use your credit on January 11. If you have any questions, please contact our meetings team.

Are scholarship opportunities available?

Yes! The scholarship application period was February 1 – March 1 and is now closed. You can learn more about our scholarship program here.

Will there be a discounted rate for those who are unable to pay the full registration price again this year?

Yes. Applications are now open through March 22 for subsidized rates for those located in the Denver metro area who are unable to pay the full registration price.

Can I make a donation towards opportunities for those who aren’t able to afford the full cost of registration?

Thank you for your generosity! Yes, you can make a donation towards discounted Annual Meeting registrations and scholarships by visiting our website, here.

What is your cancellation and substitution policy?

A $75 processing fee will be applied to all cancellations and transfers, subject to the following terms and conditions.

• All cancellation and transfer requests must be made in writing via mail, fax or e-mail by published cancellation dates. The Alliance is not responsible for cancellation or transfer requests that are incomplete or are not received.
• Cancellation requests received before April 15, 2023 will receive a 100% refund on registration and event fees, minus the processing fee. No refunds of conference registration, event fees, or daily passes will be granted after April 15, 2023.
• Registrants who are no longer able to attend the meeting may request a substitution by submitting their request in writing. The substitute must be from the same organization, and requests are subject to a $75 processing fee. Substitutions will be accepted through May 19, 2023. Upon receipt, the original registration rate and any event tickets purchased will transfer to the new attendee. Substitution requests will not be accepted after May 19, 2023.

#AAM2023 Call for Proposals & Program

Will there be a call for proposals for 2023?

The call for session and poster proposals has closed. Those who submitted proposals will receive notifications in January 2023.

If my session or poster proposal is accepted, will I receive a discounted presenter registration rate?

Yes, the presenter registration rate is $395.

One of my panelists is unable to attend the 2023 Annual Meeting in person, can they present virtually?

Unfortunately, we are unable to live stream presenters or presentations for the 2023 Annual Meeting. Please consider an alternate panelist, or pre-recording the absent panelist’s presentation and playing it as part of the in-person session.

When will the program be available?

Our schedule-at-a-glance and preliminary program are available now to help you plan your Annual Meeting experience. The full program will be available in the coming weeks.

#AAM2023 Exhibitors & Sponsors

When can I sign up for my booth and what are the rates?

MuseumExpo booth sales are now open. For MuseumExpo booth rates, please click here.

What is the booth assignment and priority point process?

Booth space for the conference is assigned in priority point order first – priority is given to previous exhibitors, and then on a first-come, first-served basis after all priority point assignments have been completed. Priority points are accumulated on a yearly basis using the following factors: MuseumExpo annual participation, booth size, and membership status.

Where can I find the Exhibit hall floorplan? 
You can view the MuseumExpo floorplan here. 

What days is the exhibit hall open?

The exhibit hall will open beginning on Friday, May 19, 2022 and closes on Saturday, May 20, 2022. To view the full schedule-at-a-glance, please click here.

Who do I contact about exhibiting and sponsorship?

Visit this page to review the many options available to highlight your company as an exhibitor, sponsor, and advertiser and for contact information.