Business and Museum Partner Listening Session: Shaping the Future of VAM Together (Afternoon Session)

As the Virginia Association of Museums develops its next Strategic Plan, we invite our business members, exhibitors, sponsors, and museum partners to join us for a collaborative listening session focused on the future of our association and the museum field. Your perspective as a trusted partner to museums provides valuable insight into the evolving needs, opportunities, and challenges facing our community. We want to better understand how VAM can strengthen relationships between museums and the businesses that support them, create meaningful opportunities for collaboration, and deliver greater value to our members and partners over the next four years.

Topics will include:

1) Strategic Planning Guiding Questions:

• What do you find to be VAM's greatest value for you, your career, or your museum? 
• What can VAM improve upon and what services or resources would you like to see offered?
• What are the critical issues you as a museum practitioner (or your institution) are dealing with?
• How can VAM help support you or your institution with these critical issues?

2) Introduction of new BAM Membership Levels

3) Discussion of feedback gathered from exhibitors and business partners following the 2026 Annual Conference and collaborative planning for improvements to the 2027 Conference in Charlottesville, with a focus on creating a more valuable and engaging experience for both attendees and exhibitors.