ASMD convened the 2.5 day ASMD 2026 Directors Forum in St. Paul, MN from February 10-12 with travel on February 9 (in time for an evening reception at the conference hotel, the Courtyard Marriott Downtown St. Paul) and February 12 (late afternoon/evening) or February 13. ASMD members Alison Rempel Brown and Holly Menninger hosted us at the Science Museum of Minnesota (image on entry page) and the Bell Museum at the University of Minnesota (image below). On February 10, we met at the SMM, where a panel of experts explored the value proposition of travelling exhibitions. We also examined the Race Exhibit Experience through the lens of the Center for Equity and Systems Change at the SMM. On February 11, we convened at the Bell Museum, where we looked at the innovative use of dioramas and the planetarium for cultural storytelling and Native Land Field Trips by Museum staff and Indigenous partners. We are had a panel to explore new models for successful fundraising strategies during tough economic times. We brought back our panelists Marilyn Jackson (President & CEO, AAM), and Christofer Nelson (President and CEO, ASTC), for continued conversation on the ever-evolving “Grand Challenges Museums are Facing,” with ASMD President William Harris serving as Facilitator. On the morning of February 12, we returned to the SMM for a Fireside Chat with Dr. Angela Paccione (Chief Impact Officer, Versus Global) and William Harris about “The Heart of How We Lead.” We ended the Forum with a field trip to the Blue Rhino Studio. The Final Program and the Registration Form are attached.
ASMD 