2009 Conference Sessions

“Louisiana Association of Museums 2008 Economic Impact Study”
Hear from LAM survey consultants and pick up your copies of the economic impact study.

“Advocacy 101”
Best practices for getting the attention of your elected officials. What matters, how to use the numbers and what to do for the biggest impact.

“Younger Audiences, Newer Methods”
Discussion of ways we are using various web 2.0 methods and tools to reach out nationally to audiences. We will be discussing functionality we have been using for the past 6 months with the launch of our new website.
Chair: Jeanne Kessler, IT Project Manager National WWII Museum & Paul Parrie, Director of Information Systems and Technology National WWII Museum

“The LEH and Your Museum"
To familiarize participants with funding and training opportunities through LEH. The grants program of the LEH is a resource for the state’s museums. This session will inform participants about two major LEH initiatives that empower museums to extend the impact of the humanities throughout our state. Trustee and Board Member opportunity.
Chair: Walker Lasiter, Director of Grants
Rachel Norman, Assistant Director of Grants

“Strategic Marketing/Communications Planning”
This session will cover various aspects of marketing and public relations. Everything from blogs to mascots, paid and free, fund raising and everything in between. Come with your questions and leave with enough information to put together a communications plan for your specific organization. Trustee and Board Member opportunity.
Chair: Virginia Pearson, Owner, Virginia Pearson & Associates

“Younger Audiences, Newer Methods”
Discussion of ways we are using various web 2.0 methods and tools to reach out nationally to audiences. We will be discussing functionality we have been using for the past 6 months with the launch of our new website.
Chair: Jeanne Kessler, IT Project Manager National WWII Museum & Paul Parrie, Director of Information Systems and Technology National WWII Museum

“The LEH and Your Museum"
To familiarize participants with funding and training opportunities through LEH. The grants program of the LEH is a resource for the state’s museums. This session will inform participants about two major LEH initiatives that empower museums to extend the impact of the humanities throughout our state. Trustee and Board Member opportunity.
Chair: Walker Lasiter, Director of Grants
Rachel Norman, Assistant Director of Grants

“Strategic Marketing/Communications Planning”
This session will cover various aspects of marketing and public relations. Everything from blogs to mascots, paid and free, fund raising and everything in between. Come with your questions and leave with enough information to put together a communications plan for your specific organization. Trustee and Board Member opportunity.
Chair: Virginia Pearson, Owner, Virginia Pearson & Associates

“Learning for the Fun of It: Crash Course in State Standards for History, Science, and the Arts in Schools”
Help your museum education program keep pace with changes in the K-12 curriculum and discover ways to engage students in learning for the fun of it! Participants will learn about the new K-12 literacy strategies and the common ground between museum education standards and the K-12 curriculum. Bring your ideas and use our “make-and-take” templates to create educational activities for your exhibits and programs.
Chair: Memory Seymour, Education Director, Louisiana’s Old State Capitol

“Museums Today: Measuring Your Community Heartbeat”
This three-part workshop will look at every dimension of community engagement in your museum’s work…from proper Board representation to building a volunteer brigade and opening programs and services for maximum community involvement. The workshop will also include two interactive exercises for all participants in identifying challenges and solutions to effective community involvement. Trustee and Board Member opportunity.
Chair: Jan Bernard, Owner, Jan Bernard Public Affairs and Consulting
Trudy Bell Wickham, Owner, Starr Power, Inc.

“Community Collaborations: Developing a Strategy & Outcome”
In this partnership session, we share experiences gained in the reinvention of the manner in which a major art museum determines its strategy for long term planning commenting both in-house and outreach collaborations. One of our significant partners, the Amistad Research Center, adds insights about how collaboration between organizations with different missions can be mutually beneficial. From the inside, NOMA staff will discuss how the education, collections, development and pr departments actively are worked together to attract the city’s growing Hispanic population.
Chair: Alice Yelen, Assistant Director of Education, NOMA

“Name By Name, Face By Face: Elevating Historical Representations of Slave Life”
The presentation will target museum workers interested and possibly challenged by interpreting the tough stories and often-traumatic histories slave life histories present.
Chair: Julia Rose, Ph.D. Director at the West Baton Rouge Museum

“Best Practices For Audiences With Disabilities”
This presentation will have presentations from museum staff who have updated their buildings to ADA standards and architects who have met the standards challenge. Also, hear from those with disabilities-what works and what doesn’t work.
Chair: Bill Stark, Director Louisiana State Museum

“Kids At Risk: Museums Make A Difference!”
Hear about three different program education directors. This presentation will include after school, summer camps and year round programs offered by museums. Find out about programs that target education concerns and work with diverse ages and youth issues.
Chair: Genny Nadler Thomas, LAM Executive Director

“Earned Income Through Events: What Does It Take?”
Learn about all types of events, rental fees, and staffing. What does it really cost to make money at renting your facility. White wine only? How much security do you need? Find out about the ins and outs of facility management and events.
Chair: Nancy Chesson

“Utilizing Signage to Enhance the Visitor Experience”
Hear how to guide your visitors through your museum with appropriate and comprehensive signage. Learn how signs with directions, way finding, information and education about your exhibits can make or break the museum visitor experience.
Chair: Genny Nadler Thomas