There’s nothing like an in-person event to connect with peers and discuss current challenges together. Explore our list of 2026 museum conferences and mark your calendars (September in particular).
For virtual workshops and webinars, visit our events section or subscribe to our newsletter to get them delivered to your inbox along with museum news and insights each week. And please let us know if there’s ever an event missing that you’d like to see listed.
January 2026
Museum Connections Paris 2026
Date: January 13 – 14, 2026
Location: Paris, France
This trade show is for cultural professionals, offering innovative and practical solutions to address the economic and sustainability challenges of museums, cultural and tourist venues.
February 2026
Association of Science Museum Directors (ASMD) 2026 Directors Forum
Dates: February 10 – 12, 2026
Location: St. Paul, MN
Panels include the value proposition of travelling exhibitions, successful fundraising strategies during tough economic times, and continued conversation on the ever-evolving “Grand Challenges Museums are Facing.”
Small Museum Association 42st Annual Conference (SMA 2026)
Dates: February 16 – 18, 2026
Location: York, PA
This year’s theme is climate change. Join other small museum professionals and volunteers in discussing the key role small museums can play in educating, engaging, and supporting their communities in the face of changing physical and social climates.
Museums Advocacy Day 2026
Date: February 23 – 24, 2026
Location: Arlington, VA, and Washington, D.C.
This annual AAM event provides essential training and support for you to effectively engage with members of Congress and their staff. You’ll spend the first day in Arlington, VA, attending advocacy and policy sessions, followed by a day on Capitol Hill, meeting with legislators to make the case for museums. Register by January 16.
March 2026
2026 National Art Education Association Convention
Dates: March 5 – 7, 2026
Location: Chicago, IL
The NAEA national convention is the largest gathering of visual arts education professionals in the world! Programming spans across all levels and aspects of visual arts education with content offered by and for pre-K-12 visual arts, design, and media arts educators; museum educators; professors of art education; researchers and scholars; arts supervisors and administrators; teaching artists; retired art educators; and anyone committed to quality arts education for all learners.
2026 National Humanities Alliance (NHA) Annual Meeting and Advocacy Day
Dates: March 8 – 10, 2026
Location: Washington, D.C.
This event will provide an opportunity to connect with other passionate humanities advocates from around the country. During the Annual Meeting, NHA will explore approaches to year-round advocacy on college campuses and in local communities, while also preparing for visits to Capitol Hill. On Humanities Advocacy Day, meet with House and Senate offices to make a persuasive case for federal funding for the humanities.
Building Museums™ Symposium 2026
Dates: March 11 – 13, 2026
Location: Baltimore, MD
This symposium is for architects, museum leaders, planners, project managers, technical experts, and all those who plan or implement new construction, renovation, or expansion projects for museums. Whether your institution is a small historic site under renovation, a mid-sized art museum planning an expansion, or a large children’s museum building a new facility, this symposium is for you.
Virginia Association of Museums (VAM) Annual Conference
Dates: March 14 – 17, 2026
Location: Williamsburg, VA
Connect, learn, and grow at the VAM Annual Conference, where museum professionals gather to share insights, explore best practices, and strengthen Virginia’s cultural community. This year’s theme is “Little ‘r’ Revolutions.”
AZA 2026 Mid-Year Meeting
Dates: March 21 – 26, 2026
Location: Atlanta, GA
The Association of Zoos & Aquariums Mid-Year Meeting is working meeting that features education, networking, and social events with more than 1,000 zoo and aquarium professionals from across the country. Peer-developed program meetings, roundtables, and workshops in an interactive format challenges attendee to collaborate with one another and promises ample opportunity to learn and discuss issues critical to institutions.
CAA 2026
Dates: March 31 – April 4, 2026
Location: Vienna, Austria
The 53rd Computer Applications and Quantitative Methods in Archaeology (CAA) International Conference brings experts together to explore how technology is shaping archaeology — with new digital tools, data analysis, and quantitative methods in archaeological research.
April 2026
North Carolina Museums Council (NCMC) Conference
Dates: April 11 – 13, 2026
Location: Greenville, NC
Join museum pros from across North Carolina for two days of networking, workshops, and discussions. This year’s theme is “Hidden Treasures: The Unseen Work & Opportunities Within Museums.” More info to come!
Texas Association of Museums (TAM) Annual Conference
Dates: April 19 – 22, 2026
Location: McAllen, TX
This year’s theme is “Stronger Together: Celebrating Community Stories.” Through inspiring sessions, meaningful conversations, and unforgettable experiences, explore what it truly means to be stronger together.
InterActivity 2026
Date: April 21 – 23, 2026
Location: San Diego, CA
Hosted by the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM). This year’s theme, “The Fabric of Belonging: Crafting Spaces for Connection and Resilience,” focuses on how museums can intentionally craft inclusive spaces where all feel seen, valued and supported. The conference offers a variety of professional development sessions, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities designed to inspire and equip you with adaptable and scalable practices.
AIC Annual Meeting
Date: April 28 – May 2, 2026
Location: Montreal, Canada
Join the American Institute for Conservation for their 54th Annual Meeting, in partnership with the Canadian Association for Conservation of Cultural Property (CAC-ACCR), themed “Conservation at the Intersection of Innovation and Tradition.” Explore how conservation practices can thrive at the edge of progress, experimentation, and reinvention with a through line of continuity, legacy, and community.
2026 Art Curators Conference
Date: April 30 – May 1, 2026
Location: New York City, NY
Join the Association of Art Museum Curators (AAMC) for two days of sessions, workshops, the annual Members’ Party, and plenty of networking opportunities. It’s a great chance to connect with peers and engage in discussions shaping the future of art curation.
May 2026
Museums + Heritage Show
Date: May 13 – 14, 2026
Location: London, England
The Museums + Heritage Show is the UK’s largest gathering of industry professionals, showcasing the latest innovations and best practices in the cultural sector. It is free to attend. More than 3,400 people enjoy the show’s extensive program of inspiring talks and its bustling exhibition filled with cutting-edge technologies and the latest products and services.
American Alliance of Museums Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo
Dates: May 20 – 23, 2026
Location: Philadelphia, PA
2026 AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo programming will explore the theme, The Museum Odyssey, through four tracks — Museums as Timekeepers, Time Travelers, Chroniclers, and Seers — in addition to a new track this year, Museum Essentials and Evolving Practices that focuses on core skills and strategies for every area of museum work.
Relatedly: MSA FORWARD Retail Conference & Expo will be held in conjunction with this event.
June 2026
Art Museum Development Association (AMDA) 2026 Conference
Date: June 1 – 4, 2026
Location: Miami, FL
The Art Museum Development Association annual conference features best practices case studies, presentations and panels offering both strategic and tactical advice by experts and thought leaders in the field; round table discussions for directors of development segmented by museum type and size; tours of local private collections; and networking opportunities.
2026 Ecsite Conference
Dates: June 2 – 4, 2026
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
The Ecsite conference is a friendly and approachable conference ideal for anyone working in or supporting the field of science engagement, whether from science centers or museums, natural history museums, science festivals, universities, and more. Ecsite 2026 offers a diverse program of sessions, practical workshops and networking events, showcasing the breadth of expertise driving public engagement with science.
2026 Librarians, Archivists, and Museum Professionals in the History of the Health Sciences (LAMPHHS) Annual Meeting
Dates: June 3 – 4, 2026
Location: Buffalo, NY
Association of Academic Museums and Galleries (AAMG) 2026
Dates: June 9 – 12, 2026
Location: Iowa City, IA
The theme for this year’s Association of Academic Museums and Galleries annual conference is “Creativity: Celebrating Innovation in Campus Museums & Galleries.” Museum and gallery directors and administrators are invited to come learn the latest on best practices, educational activities, and development strategies.
ALHFAM 2026 Annual Meeting and Conference
Dates: June 16 – 21, 2026
Location: Dearborn, MI
The Association for Living History, Farm and Agricultural Museum’s 2026 Annual Meeting and Conference examines community and conflict in ways that help living history practitioners engage in conversations that facilitate learning and lead to understanding and healing. Workshops, presentations, local tours, and events will guide conversations that will sustain living history into the foreseeable future.
July 2026
Reimagining the Historic House Museum
Date: July 10, 2026
Location: Nashville, TN
The one-day AASLH workshop includes an analysis of the most important opportunities and threats facing historic sites in America based on the latest social and economic research, with a discussion on how they may relate to the participants’ house museum. Learn field-tested tools and techniques drawn from such wide-ranging sources as non-profit management, business strategy, and software development.
Visitor Studies Association (VSA) Annual Conference 2026
Dates: July 21 – 23, 2026
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
This year’s Visitor Studies Association event will focus on applied methodologies and practical approaches to visitor studies. Having a toolkit of field-tested practices is vital in accurately representing the experiences of those we serve. This conference will be a deep dive into visitor studies as it is applied in the real world, from established best practices to creative methods.
Association of Midwest Museums (AMM) Conference 2026
Dates: Virtual: July 22 | In-person: July 26 – 29, 2026
Location: Chicago, IL
The premiere networking event for museum professionals in the Midwest to gather and discuss current issues, trends, and solutions.
Digital Humanities Conference 2026
Dates: July 27 – 31, 2026
Location: Daejeon, South Korea
Join scholars, researchers, and practitioners for a week of presentations, workshops, and discussions on digital tools and methods transforming humanities research.
ARCHIVES * RECORDS 2026
Dates: July 29 – August 1, 2026
Location: New Orleans, LA
The 90th annual meeting of the Society of American Archivists gives you an opportunity to take stock, to explore innovative solutions to the problems you are encountering, and to assess the professions’ history, practices, assumptions, and training.
August 2026
Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD®) Conference
Dates: August 11 – 14, 2026
Location: Philadelphia, PA
The annual LEAD Conference brings together a passionate community dedicated to accessibility. Professionals from theaters, museums, parks, and cultural spaces come together to explore practical solutions, share effective strategies, and strengthen their commitment to accessibility. No other conference focuses on accessibility in cultural venues like LEAD.
AAAM2026
Dates: August 19 – 21, 2026
Location: Philadelphia, PA
The Association of African American Museums (AAAM) annual conference is themed “This Land Holds Our Stories” and honors the legacy of Black storytelling, memory, and leadership in shaping a more just and complete American narrative.
September 2026
ASTC 2026 Annual Conference
Dates: September 16 – 19, 2026
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Each year, this event brings together more than 1,700 science and technology center and museum and allied professionals committed to engaging the public with science — including those working in science communication, STEM learning, and the broader intersections between science, technology, and society.
SPNHC 41st Annual Meeting
Date: September 7 – 11, 2026
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
The 41st Annual Meeting of the Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections (SPNHC) will explore best practices and innovations in natural history collections care. More details to come!
IAMFA 2026
Dates: September 14 – 18, 2026
Location: Florence, Italy
The International Association of Museum Facility Administrators will meet in one of the world’s most culturally significant cities for behind-the-scenes tours, expert presentations, and intensive workshops. You’ll gain practical solutions to enhance your institution’s operations while building lasting relationships with peers who understand your unique challenges.
NCPH – AASLH 2026
Dates: September 16 – 19, 2026
Location: Providence, RI
The National Council on Public History will host this year’s annual conference, “The Work of Revolution,” in partnership with the American Association for State and Local History. More details to come!
Nineteenth International Conference on the Inclusive Museum
Date: September 22 – 24, 2026
Location: Sydney, Australia
Join museum professionals, scholars, and cultural practitioners from around the world to focus on “The Future of Museum Narratives,” as explored through visitors, collections, and representations. Both in-person and online participation options are available.
Western Museums Association (WMA) Annual Meeting 2026
Date: September 23 – 26, 2026
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Western Museums Association invites museum professionals to imagine boldly, reaching beyond inherited boundaries to shape futures not yet written. Whether expanding community engagement, rethinking stewardship, or exploring new interpretive strategies, the act of aspiring requires us to hold space for possibility.
ASALH 110th Annual Conference
Date: September 23 – 27, 2026
Location: Hampton Roads, VA
The mission of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) is to promote, research, preserve, interpret and disseminate information about Black life, history and culture to the global community. This year’s event focuses on a century of Black history commemorations.
National Association of Museum Schools (NAMS) Conference 2026
Date: September 25 – 27, 2026
Location: Rogers, AR
The National Association of Museum Schools will host a three-day conference, bringing together educators from across the nation to network and share innovative teaching methods and successful strategies. Conference participants will take away best practices presented by award-winning museum schools and museums. Breakout sessions are designed for teachers and administrators at museum and traditional schools, museum educators, and museum school supporters.
Association of Zoos & Aquariums Annual Conference 2026
Dates: September 26 – October 1, 2026
Location: Portland, OR
The AZA Annual Conference is the largest and most comprehensive event for zoo and aquarium professionals in the United States. Discover successes and lessons learned from a diverse community of professionals, experience new technologies and services, and connect with more than 2,000 colleagues.
Southeastern Museums Conference (SEMC) Annual Meeting
Dates: September 28 – 30, 2026
Location: Winston-Salem, NC
Themed “Forged in Culture – Focused on the Future,” SEMC2026 will explore how museums and cultural institutions can evolve with purpose, creativity, and resilience. Join colleagues to discuss emerging trends, share solutions, and collaborate on advancing the museum field.
October 2026
Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums (MAAM) Annual Conference
Dates: October 6 – 8, 2026
Location: New Brunswick, NJ
The Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums Annual Conference is dedicated to fostering excellence in museums by providing high-quality professional development, networking opportunities, and special events for museum professionals in the region.
Visual Resources Association 2026
Dates: October 7 – 9, 2026
Location: Portland, OR
This multi-day event brings together professionals from education, cultural heritage, and industry to connect, collaborate, and explore the latest trends in image and media management.
Communicating the Arts 2026
Dates: October 13 – 16, 2026
Location: Ottawa-Gatineau, Canada
The theme “Building Trust, Bridging Worlds” explores how museums, theatres, festivals, and cultural institutions can act as spaces of connection, nurturing empathy, resilience, and mutual understanding. Over four days of keynotes, panels, and workshops, learn how we can strengthen relationships across generations and communities, and how creativity can help us reconnect in times of disruption or change.
MCN 2026
Dates: October 21 – 23, 2026
Location: Seattle, WA
Bringing together cultural heritage professionals from museums and historic sites across North America and beyond, MCN’s annual conferences offer an inspiring space for to connect, share knowledge, and explore the latest innovations in digital technologies for museums.
2026 SEGD Conference Experience Kansas City
Dates: October 22 – 24, 2026
Location: Kansas City, MO
A great one for those working in exhibition design, this event brings together a global community of experiential designers to explore how design can create meaningful connections.
November 2026
New England Museum Association (NEMA) Annual Conference 2026
Dates: November 4 – 6, 2026
Location: Mystic, CT
From NEMA: As we move into uncertainty and upheaval at national levels, we’ll consider how the museum field is pushing against expectations. With limited funding, heightened scrutiny of interpretation, calls to whitewash the past, and fear for the communities we serve, how do museums stand in their missions and values with integrity while also keeping the doors open and lights on? We’ll explore the ways we are working with and for our audiences every day, serving as third spaces, educational facilities, change agents, emotional refuges, and crucial social networks.
IAAPA Expo 2026
Dates: November 16 – 19, 2026
Location: Orlando, FL
IAAPA Expo brings together pros from theme parks, family entertainment centers, zoos, aquariums, museums, and science centers to learn about trends and best practices. You’ll find literally miles of aisles on the trade show floor; networking opportunities with operators, suppliers, investors, and developers; education sessions; and lots more.
Evaluation 2026
Dates: November 16 – 21, 2026
Location: Charlotte, NC
The American Evaluation Association (AEA) brings together 2,000+ evaluation professionals from multiple disciplines and backgrounds. Evaluators come to this event to learn best practices, discover new techniques, and implement lessons learned from others in the field.
