Making the case to join AASLH in Cincinnati: Here’s what to know.

Save on registering before the Early Bird Deadline on June 25. AASLH members receive the lowest registration rates.

The AASLH annual conference in Cincinnati this September will be an invaluable opportunity for the history community to gather, especially during a troubling year. We realize that, for so many of you, these challenges have made it difficult to secure funding to attend. If you’re trying to make the case to your employer—or yourself—that the trip is worth it, here’s are five points to consider:

The AASLH annual conference is:

  1. An investment in your institution’s financial sustainability. The conference program includes many sessions on making the most with the least, including topics such as fundraising secrets, finding new stories within your same collection, balancing storytelling and finances, and designing volunteer programs for the future.
  2. A chance to learn ways to uplift your local community. In Cincinnati, you’ll connect with hundreds of other practitioners at the local and state level who share a top priority: shining a light on the stories and people of your community. You can also attend sessions offering practical tips on topics related to local media, local memory, and local engagement.
  3. A way to better serve youth audiences. Engaging younger generations is a perennial problem for history organizations. Tackle this issue by hearing from speakers on subjects including attracting younger audiences to museums, building teacher networks, bringing archival primary sources into the classroom, and designing field trips that promote historical thinking skills and pride of place.
  4. An avenue for staying abreast of the latest research and best practices. AASLH has a long-held commitment to originating and disseminating groundbreaking research to inform the field’s practices, and this year’s conference program is no exception. This includes sessions on the findings of the first-ever National Survey of History Practitioners, which will illuminate the salaries, perspectives, and demographics of the field.
  5. A direct connection to the nation’s home for history. AASLH is the foremost professional association for the nation’s 21,000 history organizations. By attending our conference, you will gain concrete knowledge and skills while participating in a nationwide community of practitioners who care deeply about the educational and unifying potential of understanding the past.

We hope you’ll join us in Cincinnati!