Every year, this conference
brings together more than 250 museum professionals from a wide range of
institutions, primarily from the Mid-Atlantic region—although our member and
attendee base has been steadily expanding. The conference aims to improve
professionalism within the community of small museums by providing a unique and
comfortable environment for individuals and institutions with diverse
experiences to meet and learn from each other. Conference sessions typically provide
practical, relevant discussions, and examples for small museums and
institutions with limited budgets.

This year, the Small Museum Conference would like to offer sessions that
address the current economic recession that is affecting our institutions. As
museum and education professionals, we certainly have been feeling the
pinch in regard to our budgets. As a result it has been difficult for small
museums to hire new staff, or create new programs and exhibits. We would like
to encourage small museums to send representatives to the SMA conference in
2010 by offering some options to our attendees on how to function on a very
low budget.

We invite proposals for sessions based on original research or
institutional experience. Proposal topics should be based on how small museums can
combat a loss of monetary support. This should be a central focus in any
presentation category (fundraising, education, curating, museum boards, and
volunteers). We would also like to know the level of your presentation, if it will
be a beginner, intermediate or expert level presentation. Possible session
topics include:


•Dealing with board members
•Fundraising/How to ask for donations
•Education: program funding, program ideas
•Volunteers
•Staff
•Marketing/finance: how to get the most bang for your buck
•Collections

There will be sessions all day on Monday, February 22, and on the morning
of Tuesday, February 23, 2008.

Individuals from the museum, historic preservation, and related supporting
communities who would like to present at this dynamic and friendly
conference are invited to submit proposals to the address below by July 20, 2009; you
will be notified of your acceptance by August 31, 2009.

Session Proposal Application


Your Name: _______________________________________________________________
Institution/Organization/Company:_____________________________________________
Your Address: ______________________________________________________________
Your Phone Number: ________________________________________________________
Your Cell Phone Number: ____________________________________________________
Your Email Address: ________________________________________________________

Preferred Session Date: Mon. (Feb. 22) _____ Tues. (Feb. 23) ____ Either:_____
Preferred Session Length (select one): 60 min. _____ 90 min. _____


Contact Peter Leighton at (757) 408-1916 or Jennifer Ruffner at (410) 706-2822
SMA Speakers Coordinators, with questions or completed forms.