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MSA's 2008 Sponsors
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Highlights From the 53rd MSA Retail Conference & Expo!
In mid-April, 591 of your cultural commerce colleagues descended upon Tampa, FL, in a frenzy of networking, learning and shopping! Attendees of the 2008 Conference & Expo shopped for unique merchandise from more than 320 exhibitors at the Expo and Members Market and brought back money- and time-saving ideas from the educational sessions and discussions with their colleagues. Here's a run-down of everything that took place in the Sunshine State this year!
Friday, April 11, 2008
Learning Excursion to The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
Nearly 90 attendees arrived a day early for a bus trip to Sarasota to explore the 66-acre John and Mable Ringling estate. Participants roved the grounds of the waterfront mansion, the beautifully landscaped Rose Garden and The Circus Museums.
Meet and Greet
Thanks to MSA's Florida Chapter for welcoming all attendees at a pre-Conference get-together at the Avanzare Lounge in the lobby of the Hyatt. Delegates enjoyed the chance to catch up with old friends and make new ones, and everyone enjoyed the "prizes" that were given away by the stores of several Florida cultural institutions.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Sessions and Meetings
On this first official day of the Conference, some delegates took a half-day excursion to several museum stores in Tampa, while others attended educational sessions on topics that included museum store layout and design, working with architects designing the store, branding, developing a cultural commerce service team and discussion groups on e-commerce, cultural tourism and budgeting for supplies and services. In the afternoon, colleagues from like-museums got together to discuss current issues.
This year's general session, "Generation Speaks! Managing the Collision of the Generations," was presented by Rich Kizer and Georganne Bender. Attendees learned about the differences between the four generations that make up your store's customers and employees, as well as strategies to understand their personalities and motivations.
Chapter Meetings
Held in the afternoon, chapter meetings were well-attended and gave members a chance to network early in the weekend with their local peers. Meeting minutes, as well as information about fall chapter meetings, will be posted soon, so check your chapter pages for more details to come.
Get Your Bearings Briefing
Approximately 80 first-time and international attendees mixed and mingled on the convention center patio as the sun set over Tampa Bay. Attendees of this reception received valuable insight and guidance from seasoned pros of the Conference & Expo.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Membership Meeting
With a special "red carpet" introduction, MSA's Knowledge Standards were unveiled at this year's Membership Meeting. MSA members who got up early on Sunday learned how the Knowledge Standards will benefit and enhance the cultural commerce profession. In addition, the 2008 – 2009 MSA board of directors and chapter secretaries were introduced as they took office and incoming President Gwen Benner spoke about the changes and challenges that cultural commerce professionals face and how MSA is working to provide answers and solutions. The M Award was presented to past board president, Sallie Stutz of the Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, NY.
If you weren't able to attend the annual meeting, you can read the entire speeches of the outgoing and incoming MSA board presidents, as well as comments from MSA's executive director:
Lauren Chapin Salazar – Outgoing President's Speech
Gwen Benner – Incoming President's Speech
Beverly Barsook – Executive Director's Speech
Members Market and the MSA Expo
Attendees were able to spend a full day shopping Members Market and the Expo. Twenty-five Museum Members showcased their collection-inspired products at Members Market, a unique tabletop venue with merchandise developed by museum stores for museum stores. Nearly 330 exhibitors displayed their one-of-a-kind, mission-specific products and services at the Expo.
Wine & Cheese Reception at The Henry B. Plant Museum
The day ended as attendees took a bus over to The Henry B. Plant Museum for a wine and cheese reception within the splendid Moorish architecture and opulent furnishing of this spectacular historic site. Members of MSA's Florida Chapter were on hand to invite delegates and exhibitors to relax and unwind. MSA would like to thank both the museum and the Florida Chapter for hosting a wonderful reception!
Monday, April 14, 2008
Educational Sessions
Topics for the morning and afternoon educational sessions included e-commerce, product development strategies for small museums, managing transitions, mission-focused marketing, low-cost marketing ideas and training to be leaders in the nonprofit world.
MSA Expo and the Passport Winner
The shopping continued on Monday at the MSA Expo where attendees rushed to wrap up their last-minute orders. Congratulations to this year’s passport winner, Toph Bryant of the Louisville Science Center in Louisville, KY. Toph won a trip to the 2009 MSA Retail Conference & Expo in Phoenix, AZ, complete with Conference registration, three nights
hotel stay and round-trip coach airfare.
Cause for Celebration Sam Greenberg Fundraiser
To raise money for the Sam Greenberg Scholarship Fund, delegates and exhibitors relaxed aboard the Calypso Queen as they enjoyed an evening cruise on the waterways of Tampa Bay. Congratulations to the Midwest Chapter, winner of the 2008 Sam Greenberg Chapter Challenge, with the highest number of member donations. And thanks to all who donated to make it possible for new Museum Members to attend next year's Conference & Expo. Contributions are accepted year-round.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Farewell Breakfast and Discussions
Attendees and exhibitors enjoyed a wonderful breakfast together and began to say their farewells until next year. Then the Conference wrapped up with discussions by gross sales to give attendees a chance to exchange some final ideas with their peers.
MSA would like to thank all who participated in the 53rd MSA Retail
Conference & Expo for making the event such a success. We look
forward to seeing you next May in Phoenix, AZ!
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