WMA's Guide to Networking @ Events
Wednesday, July 1, 2026 - 13:34
WMA's Guide to Networking @ Events
While events may seem pricy, they are well worth the cost for networking opportunities. Being visible and active at the conference and using social events to meet like-minded individuals is super beneficial for growing your career. For general recommendations and planning tips for WMA 2026, visit our Attendee Guide page.
Preparing for Networking Events
A Decolonizing Approach to Exhibit Development with Indigenous Communities
NHMU's team shares their collaborative approach to creating an exhibit on Indigenous basketry. This process, guided by co-curators nominated by their tribes, has strengthened NHMU's decolonization efforts and created a model for exhibit development, building on NHMU's history of relationship-building with Indigenous communities. We have witnessed strengthened relationships within and between co-curators, NHMU, and tribes. The group has a shared resolve to preserve and communicate Indigenous knowledge and share this model with the museum community.
Transformación Cultural: Community Representation of Past, Present, Future
For three years, the Utah Museum of Fine Arts, Artes de México en Utah, and a community work group endeavored ot change the so-called "Mesoamerican" gallery. Through reciprocal learning and shared purpose, museum staff and community members-artists, advocates, educators, historians, and others connected to Mexico, Central & South America-created a dramatic reinstallation called "Transformación Cultural: Nuestro Pasado es Presente." This collaboration illuminates important possibilities for how an organization and community can work together.
Roundtables
Experience a casual showcase of innovations from across the museum field, offering you the chance to connect directly with the creators - federal agencies, associations, and inspired individuals alike. This year's roundtables include...
Relationship Building: Do You Know Your Neighbor?
Presenters
Marina Gutierrez, Museum Education Coordinator, Agua Caliente Cultural Museum
Carolina Zataray, Senior Manager of Education and Public Engagement, Agua Caliente Cultural Museum
Coffee Klatch
FREE!
Join your fellow Annual Meeting attendees for coffee while connecting with new colleagues and seeing familiar faces.
Coffee Break
FREE!
Join your fellow Annual Meeting attendees for coffee while connecting with new colleagues and seeing familiar faces.
WMA | UMA Leadership Reception
INVITATION ONLY
Sponsored by EDX Exhibits
WMA Board Members, UMA Board Members, Program Committee, Host Committee, and Sponsors gather for drink, food, and conversation.
WMA Breakfast Club
FREE!
Join the WMA Book Club to discuss what you're reading. Whether it's fiction, non-fiction, or museum-related, we want to know about the books living rent-free in your head.
Exhibit Hall Closing Reception
FREE!
Join your colleagues for light refreshments and a last visit with our corporate members. The Exhibit Hall Closing Reception is your last chance to bid on silent auction items. All proceeds benefit the scholarship funds to help colleagues attend future gatherings of the Western Museums Association and the Utah Museum Association.