Museums Association Conference 2014 - thoughts

Two days in Cardiff at Museums Association conference and here are the things I loved and things not so much. 

Usual intelligently designed conference brochure

1. Young professionals were everywhere - thanks to £125 ticket prices for first timers (I also spoke to someone with a bursary from Welsh Federation), it was great to have a younger demographic evident.

2. Red first time badges - I remember how much I hated my first MA conference in Glasgow. Not knowing anyone and no-one knowing me was lonely and intimidating. Having clear badges helped me know who to say hello to and a great conversation starter. 

3. Games session by @DannyBirchall and Kate Kneale was filled with energy and creativity. Who knew we would end up dancing to Dancing Queen with strangers in the Millennium Centre's foyer. 

4. Mat Fraser's presentation was amazing. Songs, history, rapping, artistic slant and challenges to the room was well timed and it's clear what the take away to every curator. Reinterpret one object to encourage disabled people the belief that they are part of history too. 

5. Presentation by Kim Thomas, Senior cultural advisor at BBC on how she lead the creation of a double episode on Casualty on topic of Female Genital Mutilation was a perfect presentation. 

6. Networking opportunities were plentiful - finding familiar faces, making new contacts, new friends and learning the odd new word - lechyd da!

7. More participative sessions were an opportunity to share ideas and also meet people over juicy topics and healthy debate. 'Should a museum host GP surgery?"

Not like

1. Weather - I am british and am contracted to mention it, two brollies and 10 seconds in the rain soaked me 

2. Repetitive topics like resilience and sustainability have been discussed at conferences I've been to for years. If we keep talking will it ever be solved? I think some speakers could learn from AIM conferences and be inspired by achievements instead of focussing on the cut face towards the future.

3. Inevitable clash of sessions and then a dearth of sessions to visit - thats when the sweeties from exhibitors drew me in and the favourite was PLB!