| OMA 2019 Annual Conference
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OMA invites you to John Day, Oregon to explore this year’s conference theme, Finding Common Ground. As museum professionals, we can inspire community collaboration and serve as sites for social dialogue on challenging topics and current events. We are asking participants to share stories and strategies for how we can strengthen our museums through cultural inclusion and community engagement.
New! See the conference schedule.
| Jennifer Fang, PhD
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 | Don Merritt |
Sponsorship opportunitiesWhy sponsor the OMA Annual Conference? Sponsorship increases your name recognition, helps attract new customers, and supports the advancement of Oregon museums. Museums like doing business with companies that support our field, and the stronger our museums, the more we can use services of vendors and consultants.
Read more about sponsorship opportunities. Download the sponsorship form. Donate to the conferencePre-conference tours Sunday (9/15)Enjoy some of the museums and institutions in and near John Day on Sunday, before the official start of the conference. Registration for these tours is optional and is included in the conference registration. You must sign up for tours when you register. Kam Wah Chung State Heritage Site2-2:30, 2:30-3, and 3-3:30, Sunday, September 15, 2019 Originally a Chinese medical clinic, general store, community center and residence, Kam Wah Chung gives you an incomparable glimpse into the past. This remarkable site, a National Historic Landmark, is located in the town of John Day, and includes a museum and a separate interpretive center. Each 30 minute time slot can accommodate 10 people. Thomas Condon Paleontology Center2-3:30 pm, Sunday, September 15, 2019 This includes a visit to John Day Fossil Beds National Monument's Paleontology and Visitor Center. While there, visit with Artist-in-Residence Reid Psaltis during the debut of his bronze sculpture of Cynarctodies lemur, an extinct dog. The Paleontology Center is located between the towns of Dayville and Kimberly, about an hour’s drive from John Day. The tour accommodates 10 people. Sunday night meet up in John Day (9/15)After your pre-conference tour, or check-in at your lodging, join us Sunday evening, September 15, 2019 for a meet up at 1188 Brewing Company in John Day. This is a casual no-host dinner for attendees and their partners to meet and greet and network with others in the museum community. Never been to a meet up? Interested in hosting one in your community but aren't sure how? Come to this one and see how (easily) it's done! Details will follow after registration. Monday night community walkabout and BBQ dinner (9/16)Join us in an evening exploring Historic Canyon City, OR on Monday, September 16, 2019. Enjoy exclusive access to some of Grant County’s most beloved historic sites while catching up with colleagues, eating delicious BBQ and desserts, and participating in some outdoor activities. And, did we mention the annual Silent Auction? Place your final bids for some amazing prizes. We can’t wait to see you there. Some of the fun you'll be having includes:
Stay tuned for more info! | Registration
OMA members: $95
Non-members: $115 Silent auctionDo you have an item you'd like to donate to to OMA’s silent auction to be held at the 2019 annual conference? Email us at connect@oregonmuseums.org and see our donation form. Your donation helps us support museum professionals in Oregon, as all proceeds of the silent auction go towards scholarships for student and first-time attendees for the OMA annual conference. All auction items will be prominently displayed in the conference venue, and you will be recognized in our conference materials. LodgingOMA has reserved a limited number of rooms for September 15 and 16, 2019 at the Best Western John Day Inn.
To reserve, call 541/575-1700 and ask for the Oregon Museums Association rate. This rate cannot be accessed through online booking. Other lodging options in the John Day area: |
The road trip to John Day is one of the best Oregon has to offer. “Where the high desert meets the mountains.” September is one of the most beautiful months for scenery with the fall foliage in full bloom. Grant County features pine forests, mountains, lush range lands and sweeping river valleys.
You will have opportunities to visit the Kam Wah Chung State Heritage Site; the John Day Fossil Beds and Thomas Condon Paleontology Center, and Cant Ranch; DeWitt Museum at Depot Park; and the Grant County Historical Museum.
The conference will be held high above the city at the Grant County Regional Airport. The John Day/Grant County Regional Airport is one of the newest, most energy efficient, environmentally friendly structures of its kind anywhere in the Pacific Northwest. It was designed as a multi-use facility and has completely outfitted conference and training rooms.
The passion, pride and small-town spirit of Grant County’s 7,100 people will be evident in the special greetings, events and surprises we have in store for conference attendees.
If you have questions or ideas, email OMA Conference Chair, Ann Dowdy, or call 541-226-1270.
Comments from 2018 Annual Conference attendees
“This was a great experience - warm and friendly. Plus, great info!” | “These intimate conferences are a gem!” | “As a new OMA member, I thought the conference was a lot of fun and really informative.” |
Past Conferences
2018: Resilience: Responding to ChangeSeptember 9, 10 and 11, 2018 | 2017: DialogueSeptember 10-12, 2017 |
2016: Engage!October 2015 | 2015: Telling the Whole StoryDiversity and Change in Today's Museums |
2014: Connecting & CollaboratingInspiring Museums for New Generations | 2012: Museums & the New Normal: Building Relevance in Your Community |
2011: The Sustainable Museum: People, Environment, EconomyOctober 16-18, 2011 |
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| Mailing Address: P.O. Box 8604, Portland, OR 97207 |
