Craig Deller asked for more information about the
regional museum associations and their meetings.  My
apologies to those who already know about these things -
and please feel free to add or correct any information.
In addition to the "national" American Association of
Museums, there are six regional museum associations.  These
associations are affiliated with AAM ('tho I understand
this is an area of much discussion within some regions).
In parallel to the SPC's (Standing Professional Committees)
of the AAM, there are regional SPC's; e.g., Registrars, Curators
Educators, NAME, etc.  The regional organizations and meetings
serve a somewhat different constituency than the national
organization, often focusing on more hands-on and "basic"
museum activities.  In my experience those attending the
regional meetings often do not have the funds to travel to
the national meeting and so I meet different people at them
than I do at AAM. (As an aside, I find the same thing at
state museum organization meetings -- yes, Craig, there are
also state museum associations; I see different people at
the state level - who can't afford to get to the regional
meetings)
The regional museum associations meet in the Fall of each
year and they are:
New England Museum Association
Mid-Atlantic Museum Association
South East Museums Conference
MidWest Museums Conference
Mountain-Plains Museums Association
Western Region
SEMC is meeting in Memphis, Oct 5-8
MPMA is meeting in Corpus Christi, Oct 19-22
MMC is meeting in Chicago, Nov 9-12
WR is meeting in Honolulu (!!) next week
MAAM is meeting in Annapolis (don't know when)
Sorry, I don't remember where or when NEMA is
meeting.
Also, I don't have my hands on contact names and
numbers for the associations -- anyone want to help
Hope this information helps.
Janice Klein, Field Museum