Letter of Introduction

A Letter from the Florida Association of Museums Foundation

Dear Florida Museum Colleagues:

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Florida Association of Museums and its Foundation, it is my pleasure to invite you to join us in West Palm Beach in September for the 2010 Annual FAM Conference. The conference provides a stimulating environment where museum professionals, trustees, and volunteers strengthen collegial bonds, learn about innovative practices, and share new ideas.

The conference theme, Taking Control of Our Future, provides opportunities to look at many ways in which museums can pro-actively talk with each other about how we move forward in this economic climate. The sessions review committee was expanded this year to create a great team that evaluated numerous session proposals from around the state. Committee members accepted some session proposals as submitted, responded to requests for suggestions for additional speakers, and made sure proposal topics do not overlap. Overall, they, along with each session organizer, worked hard to create a particularly strong conference.

Once again, sessions focus on the work of a broad range of museum staff. One of the workshops on Tuesday, and several sessions on Wednesday are of particular interest to board members. We have added an Earned Income track with several sessions specifically focused on how museums can increase their revenue streams. Speakers from outside the museum field will once again enrich sessions, in particular, those related to customer service and to accessibility.

During three pre-conference workshops, 32 sessions, a two-day museum expo, two keynote luncheons and discipline-based lunch-time forums, and evening events at area museums, conferees will learn about and discuss best practices, network with colleagues from around the state, get answers to questions from leaders, and hear national perspectives.

Finally, the 2010 Conference will include evening receptions at a rich assortment of museums in the West Palm Beach region. Plus we will honor colleagues for outstanding work at Friday's award luncheon.

Please join me at the West Palm Beach Marriott for the 2010 FAM conference, Taking Control of Our Future. I guarantee you will leave with new energy, insights, and friends for the future.

Sincerely,

Linda Mansperger
Executive Director, Historic Spanish Point
Chair, Florida Association of Museums Foundation