NOW ACCEPTING PROPOSALS FOR 
MPMA'S 2004 CONFERENCE
Casper, Wyoming
September 7-11, 2004
 
December 15th is the deadline for submitting session proposals  for MPMA’s 
Annual Conference in Casper, Wyoming, September 7-11, 2004.  This is your 
opportunity to get on the program.  The session proposal form and guidelines are 
available – just ask for them by responding to this email.  We have guidelines 
for regular and commercial sessions.   MPMA is the regional museum association 
serving Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, 
Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas Wyoming.
 
Your topic can be whatever you think is important.  It can be nuts and bolts, 
hands-on and practical,   “on the edge,”  and it can appeal to seasoned 
professionals or entry level ones. Why don’t you take some time now to submit your 
topic.  Give us a chance to see how brilliant you can be!  Also, presenting a 
session  is a great way to get your boss to send you to the conference. 

Businesses:  show your expertise or newest products in MPMA's commercial 
session. Space for commercial sessions is limited.
 
Send your proposal to  MPMA at [log in to unmask]  Need a form?  Respond to 
this email.
 
Here are some ideas for topics:
 
ADMINISTRATION
-Huge printing costs versus investing online
--Should you really put that on your web site?  Why not?
--Sending newsletters online to your membership
--Dealing with Changes in Our Society
--Dealing with the Stress of Institutional Reorganization
--Handling Difficult Personnel Situations
--Good, Better, & Best:  The Attempt to Follow Best Practices
--Board members need advice, too!
--How to re-channel an unproductive board
--Rejuvenating burned-out employees
--Getting board members to understand the museum field
--Establishing mentoring programs
--How to assist students and emerging leaders
- How to use the academic professors on your staff 
--Electronic communication with your board and your staff

FACILITIES
--Should every gallery and building be a Naming Opportunity?
--Dealing With Vandalism and/or Graffiti 
--Precautions to Prevent Major Flooding (natural and man-made)
--Managing Multiple Facilities (could be multiple historic sites in a central 
location, or sites in different towns, or different galleries on a university 
campus as examples).
--Fire Extinguisher Training  or other safety issues
--Ergonomics of Computer Stations
-- How Can Cameras Help with Security?
--Security Lighting for the Museums Exterior (without light pollution)
--New trends in museum buildings
--New trends in ....
--Working with an architect to get the most for your money
--Selecting an architect, exhibits designer, and other specialists
--Should you select an architect and exhibits designer at the same time?
 
EXHIBITS
--Exhibit Labels Workshop 
-How to cut, bend, drill, and otherwise mutilate acrylic to make in-house 
script & artifact mounts
--Changing Galleries From Incandescent to Halogen Light Fixtures
--How to Build A Professional Quality Case 
--Meshing curatorial issues with exhibit deadlines
 
CURATORIAL
- Corporate Collections 
--Identification of objects (session on how to identify)
--Live Ammunition:  Identification and Disposal  
-Legal and ethical issues  including liability issues
-Fire codes and antique cars with gasoline and oil along with other issues of 
care
--Care and Issues of Industrial Collections 
--Care and Storage of Musical Instrument 
--How to Start and Manage an Educational Collection (And Not Drive the 
Curator Crazy)
- Setting Up An Archival Collection Within a Museum --How To Say No To Donors 
-Sending collections out on travel
--Too many objects and not enough room
--Collections that no longer fit the mission
--University museums - will their funding continue?
-Collections for Children's Museums
--Art Gallery collaborations

FINANCIAL/MARKETING/MEMBERSHIP
--Current Trends in the Travel Industry 
--Basics of Making a Great Brochure
--Current Trends in the Travel Industry 
--Basics of Making a Great Brochure
--Diversifying Your Income
-Using membership programs to create loyal constituents who give
- Elements of  a membership plan: dues, benefits, growth, recruitment
 -Low-Cost Ways to Grow Your Constituencies
-Controlling Organizational Costs and Risks 
-Strategic Planning for Growth and Survival 
--Trends in store management, display and merchandise
--Updating a boring gift shop 
--What to do about a gift shop in the wrong location?
--Creating an online gift shop

How to Draft and Implement:
--Financial Statements That Work
--Annual Goals & Objectives
--Leave Policies
--Security Policies
--Dress Codes
--Capital Improvements
--Ethics Statements
--Opening & Closing Procedures
--Incident/Police Reports
--Safe Working Conditions (life safety codes, OSHA, state agency requirements)
--Food / Plant (cut flowers) Policy
--Collections Policies & Procedures (scope, registration, deaccessioning, 
restricted donations)
--Special event and rental policies  (weddings, meetings, Halloween)

 VISITOR SERVICES
-Factors that facilitate visitor satisfaction and learning
-Best practices to design and evaluate visitor services, programs and 
exhibitions
-Methods and results of audience research and marketing studies
-Ethical issues related to visitor studies
 
Don't see a topic you would like to have at the conference?  Get creative and 
come up with any topic that you like.  The possibilities are endless.
 
Need a proposal form?  Just ask.  Send your proposal by December 15th to 
[log in to unmask]  Businesses may also participate in MPMA's commercial 
sessions.

Monta Lee
(Ms.) Monta Lee Dakin, Executive Director
Mountain-Plains Museums Association
7110 West David Drive / Littleton, CO 80128
[log in to unmask] 
303-979-9358 / fax 303-979-3553

Explore Wyoming in 2004 when MPMA hosts its annual meeting in Casper, 
September 7-11, 2004. Join us as we trek to Yellowstone, historic forts and the 
national historic trails. Plan to spend your Labor Day Vacation with us!

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