Thank You 2022 Conference Sponsors

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What is the AASLH Annual Conference

The AASLH Annual Conference is an in-person experience that engages and connects history professionals and volunteers and inspires them in their work. We encourage every attendee’s full participation in the sessions, workshops, tours, and discussions. Each session type is categorized so that attendees can see the level of participation it involves. Before you propose a session, think carefully about how it will engage your audience.

We hope the Annual Conference becomes a transformative moment for all, a chance to go deep, to reenergize, to build professional relationships, and to focus on a sense of place and history in the host city. In formal and informal spaces, participants will work through challenging discussions and learn new practices. While there will be an emphasis on communal events to build shared experience, we will offer multiple opportunities for personalized learning, in tours, workshops, and sessions.

What is the AASLH Virtual Conference?

The Virtual Conference is designed to be an inspirational and informative experience, with flexibility for incorporating emerging issues and broad reach for bringing in more voices. The Virtual Conference is more accessible for many people because of its lower financial and time cost, which makes it possible to include a larger percentage of our members and nonmembers around the country. We can also be more responsive to crucial topics that emerge for the field in the months and weeks beforehand. Participants will be encouraged in multiple ways to connect with each other, build their networks, and to continue discussions. Happy hours and discussion groups, for example, will be scheduled for this purpose.

Click here for more information about the 2022 AASLH Virtual Conference.

Click the image or here to download a PDF of the 2022 AASLH Annual Conference program.

What’s New in 2022

Running/Walking Groups
Do you like to take a run (or walk) in the mornings? Why not join with other attendees and exercise together? Anyone interested should meet in the Buffalo Hyatt lobby on Thursday and Friday mornings at 6:30 a.m. Routes will be provided.

Crochet and Conversations
Most people in the history field are pretty creative. A lot of you love to knit, crochet, color, sketch, or other craft. There is a room designated for you to find a spot to unplug from the conference for a bit, practice your craft, and talk with other makers. Bring your own supplies and make some new friends (or just sit quietly-no judgement). The space is available on Thursday and Friday.

Mindfulness Space
Some of the topics during the conference are serious and heavy. There is a space dedicated in the convention center for quiet meditation or mindfulness exercises. If you need a place to process or take a mental break, this space is available Wednesday-Saturday at noon.

Friday Is T-Shirt Day!
Pack your favorite history or museum-themed t-shirt. Friday will be t-shirt day at the conference. Wear your favorite history or museum-themed t-shirt. If an AASLH staff member sees you and is impressed with your shirt, you may be surprised with a special prize.

Learning Circles
If you signed up to participate in the new Learning Circles, you will meet throughout the conference. You will receive an email from your circle leader introducing themselves and designating times and places for your meet ups. If you have any questions, please stop at the registration counter for assistance.

New Tour

Saturday, September 17
1 – 5 pm
Niagara Falls
Cost: $20. Preregistration Required
One of the natural wonders of the world is only a 30-minute ride from Buffalo. This tour includes bus transportation only. The bus will take you from the Hyatt Buffalo to Niagara Falls State Park. You will be dropped off at 1:30 pm. The bus will pick you up from the same location at 4:30 pm and return to the Hyatt Buffalo around 5 pm.

New Preconference Workshop

New Wednesday Workshop
1:30 – 5 pm
Bringing Teachers to the History Museum
Cost: $25
Join contributors to the new handbook Bringing Teachers to the History Museum: A Guide to Facilitating Teacher Professional Development to exchange best practices and resources for hosting dialogic programs for educators and equipping teachers with dialogic strategies to engage their students in everything from civics to difficult history.
Chair: Lora Cooper, Monticello, Charlottesville, VA; Brandon Dillard, Monticello, Charlottesville, VA; Linnea Grim, Monticello, Charlottesville, VA; Sarah Jencks, The History Co:Lab, Washington, DC

New Thursday Concurrent Session
2 – 3:15 pm
Religious History Committee Meeting
Roundtable
Do you have an interest in religious history, and would you like to know more about the work of the AASLH Religious History Committee? Join us for our annual in-person meeting. We would love to meet you, learn about the work you are doing in your local context, and share opportunities for you to participate in our committee.
Chair: Susan Fletcher, The Navigators, Colorado Springs, CO

New Saturday Concurrent Session
10:15 am – Noon
Navigating NAGPRA: Relationship Building and Repatriation
Roundtable
Ancestral remains and objects of spiritual importance to Indigenous Peoples have been exhumed collected by institutions around the country. With the passing of the Native American Grave Protection and Repatriation Act, they are being returned and reinterred. This roundtable will discuss the range of relationships involved in this important work and the tools needed to forge them.
Chair: Katelyn Lucas, The Delaware Nation Tribal Historic Preservation Office, Coplay, PA; Larry Heady, Delaware Tribe of Indians, Grants Pass, OR; Gregory Lattanzi, PhD, New Jersey State Museum, Trenton, NJ; Doug Miller, Pennsbury Manor, Morrisville, PA

Cancellations

The following sessions and events have been cancelled.

Wednesday, September 14

Afternoon Workshop
1:30 – 5 pm
History and the Web 3.0: Where the Web Will Take Us

Thursday, September 15

Tour
1 – 5:30 pm
Famous Architects

Concurrent Session
2 – 3:15 pm
Institutional Genealogy in Practice

Updated August 24, 2022

The conference app will help you create your schedule and stay up to date on schedule changes and help you interact and network with other attendees.

Download these instructions to access the app and watch this video that explains how to use it.

The theme of the 2022 AASLH Annual Conference is “Right Here, Right Now: The Power of Place.” The conference will explore how history is powerfully connected to our sense of place. In these videos, AASLH members, conference speakers, and members of the conference host committee reflect on what the “Power of Place” means to them.

Terry Abrams, Curator and Collections Manager at the Niagara County Historical Society and Co-Chair of the 2022 Conference Host Committee

Bill Peterson, Director of the State Historical Society of North Dakota

Estevan Rael-Galvez, CEO and President, Creative Strategies 360° and Executive Director, Native Bound Unbound

Whether or not you’re joining us in Buffalo, enjoy our Spotify playlist for the 2022 AASLH Annual Conference. It includes songs about Buffalo, songs famous for their use by Buffalo sports teams, and songs by artists from Buffalo. It also includes songs by people who played at the Colored Musicians Club, part of the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor, the location of one of our conference evening events.

The 2022 Annual Conference will be held at:

Buffalo Niagara Convention Center
153 Franklin Street
Buffalo, New York, 14202

Click here for directions and parking information. Discounted parking rates are not available.

Hotels

The conference hotel is:

Hyatt Regency Buffalo / Hotel and Conference Center
Two Fountain Plaza
Buffalo, New York, 14202
United States
(716) 856-1234

Individuals may make, modify, or cancel reservations by calling 877-803-7534. The AASLH group rate is no longer available. The hotel is sold out on Saturday, September 17.

Other hotels near the convention center are listed below. Please note that there is not an AASLH conference rate at these hotels.

Hilton Garden Inn Buffalo Downtown (0.2 mi)

Curtiss Hotel (0.2 mi)

Hampton Inn and Suites Buffalo Downtown (0.3 mi)

Douglas Evelyn Scholarships for Minority Professionals

The Evelyn Scholarships are named in honor of Douglas Evelyn, AASLH president from 1992-1994, and recognizes Evelyn’s strong support of AASLH’s professional development mission. A primary objective of the Douglas Evelyn Scholarships are to increase culturally diverse participation at the AASLH Annual Conference and in all of the Association’s programs. The scholarships include the Annual Conference registration fee, a one-year individual membership in AASLH, and $700 toward travel and hotel expenses. Five scholarships are available.

Congratulations to this year’s scholarship winners:

Li Edwards, Executive Director, American Chinese Museum, Wayne, Pennsylvania

Traci Jones, Education and Interpretation Specialist, Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium, Hoover, Alabama

Manisha Khetarpal, Dean of Library and Information Services, Maskwacis Cultural College, Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada

Deborah Omowale, CEO/Director, San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum, San Antonio, Texas

Cathy Runnels, Culture and Arts Education Specialist, The George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center, Austin , Texas

Sierra Van Ryck deGroot, Deputy Director, Museum Hue, Allendale, New Jersey

Shu Wan, Doctoral Student, University of Buffalo, Buffalo, New York

Evan Wright, Academic and Community Engagement Manager, Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University, Niagara University, New York

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AASLH Small Museums Scholarships

The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) is monitoring the incidence of COVID-19 in the Buffalo area and is following guidance from state and local health departments and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding large gatherings. This includes following CDC recommendations on preventing the spread of COVID-19.

AASLH is taking these measures to assure the 2022 AASLH Annual Conference is as safe as possible:

• All attendees must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 OR provide negative test results within 48 hours of September 14.
• All attendees are required to wear a face mask throughout the conference. This includes while on buses to and from evening events and tours and during the evening events and tours, unless actively eating or drinking. The CDC recommends N-95 masks for the most protection.
• All AASLH staff and conference volunteers participating in the conference will be fully vaccinated.
• If a registrant must cancel due to COVID-related illness, AASLH will issue a refund for their registration fees.

Safety During the Conference

• Registration packets, lanyards, and tote bags will be picked up by attendees in the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center lobby. Attendees will choose color-coded lanyards for their name badges to show the level of interaction with which they are comfortable.
  • Green – Okay with pre-COVID behaviors such as hugs and handshakes.
  • Yellow – Desires some caution and respects social distancing guidelines with elbow/fist bumps only.
  • Red – Desires extreme social distancing and the highest precautions. May be at high risk or caring for someone at high risk.
• Hand sanitizer stations will be available throughout the Hyatt Regency Buffalo and Buffalo Niagara Convention Center.
• Microphones will be sanitized between speakers or the next speaker on a panel will be offered an additional microphone.
• Food and beverage service at all events will follow safety protocols.
• Two of the three evening events and several tours will be primarily outdoors

Attendee Health and Safety

• The onsite program guide and conference app will include information about where to get a COVID rapid test as well as locations of local walk-in clinics and hospitals.
• Any attendee who feels they might have COVID symptoms or feels ill during the conference should quarantine until COVID test results are received. If you test positive, please continue to quarantine and alert the AASLH staff as soon as possible about your condition. Contact them via [email protected], or by leaving a message at 615-267-3057.
• Within two weeks after the conference, we urge any attendee who tests positive for COVID to alert AASLH by contacting [email protected] or by calling 615-267-3057. AASLH will inform attendees of any positive case without revealing identifying information about the ill person.

Local Host Safety Initiatives

From the City of Buffalo to the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center (BNCC) and the Hyatt Regency Buffalo, safety initiatives are already in place to welcome attendees and guests to the 2022 AASLH Annual Conference.

The Buffalo Niagara Convention Center has achieved the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) STAR accreditation which is the gold standard of prepared facilities. This accreditation means that a facility has:

• Established and maintained a cleaning, disinfection, and infectious disease prevention program to minimize risks associated with infectious agents like the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).
• The proper cleaning protocols, disinfection techniques, and work practices in place to combat biohazards and infectious disease.
• Highly informed cleaning professionals who are trained for outbreak and infectious disease preparation and response.

They have enhanced the filtration and ventilation of the facility to meet the New York state standards specific to the COVID-19 guidelines. And lastly, they have committed to the Buffalo Cares Pledge along with many Buffalo businesses. In addition, the BNCC has also created its own Health and Safety Promise.

Recommendations for Safe Travel

• Protect yourself and others by wearing a mask in public.
• Replace your mask every few hours or at least 2-3 times per day.
• Use hand sanitizer frequently.

These measures will help reduce the chance for transmission of the virus; however, if you are sick or feeling you are getting sick, we insist that you stay home.

Currently, older adults and persons with underlying health conditions who are unvaccinated are considered to be at an increased risk of illness and complications from COVID-19. Examples of underlying health conditions include heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, people with weakened immune systems, and people who are pregnant. The CDC recommends that people in high-risk groups who are not vaccinated consult with their healthcare provider about attending any large gathering.

If you do choose to attend the conference, please keep in mind the CDC recommendations on how to keep yourself and others healthy:

• Get vaccinated or boosted prior to traveling to Buffalo, taking into account the necessary 14-day waiting period after the second shot.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.

AASLH will revise this policy as needed based upon local conditions and the guidance of the local health department and/or CDC. Last update: August 12, 2022.

Policies

Cancellation / Refunds

All cancellations must be in writing. Cancellations postmarked on or before August 19, 2022 will be subject to a $55 processing charge on the cancelled registration fee and a 50% cancellation fee on all special events, including workshops. No refunds for registration, workshops, and special events will be made after August 19, 2022. AASLH is not responsible for cancellations that were mailed or emailed but never received. If you do not receive confirmation from AASLH within three weeks, please contact the AASLH office at 615-320-3203 or [email protected].

Waiver and Photo Release

By submitting a registration for the AASLH Annual Conference, you agree to the following: 

• AASLH is committed to provide a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all meeting participants and AASLH staff. All participants, including, but not limited to, attendees, speakers, volunteers, exhibitors, AASLH staff, service providers, and others are expected to abide by the Meeting Safety & Responsibility Policy. You can read the full policy below. 
• You authorize AASLH to use, reproduce, and/or publish photographs and/or video that may pertain to you — including your image, likeness, and/or voice without compensation. AASLH may use this material in various publications, recruitment materials, or for other related endeavors in print and online, including the AASLH website and email correspondence. 

Meeting Safety & Responsibility Policy

AASLH is committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all meeting participants and AASLH staff. All participants, including, but not limited to, attendees, speakers, volunteers, exhibitors, AASLH staff, service providers, and others are expected to abide by this Meeting Safety & Responsibility Policy. This Policy applies to all AASLH meeting-related events, including those sponsored by organizations other than AASLH but held in conjunction with AASLH events, in public or private facilities. 

Unacceptable Behavior

AASLH has zero-tolerance for any form of discrimination or harassment in any form, including but not limited to sexual harassment by participants or our staff at our meetings. This policy also covers any virtual meetings hosted by the association. 

Examples of unacceptable behavior include, but are not limited to, verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, national origin, inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces or in presentations, or threatening, cyber-bullying, or stalking any attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, AASLH staff member, service provider, or other meeting guests. 

Physical or verbal abuse of any attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, AASLH staff member, service provider, or other meeting guest or disruption of presentations at sessions, in the exhibit hall, or at other events organized by AASLH  will not be tolerated. 

 If you experience harassment or hear of any incidents of unacceptable behavior, AASLH asks that you inform either John Dichtl, CEO, [email protected] or 615-320-3203 or Bethany Hawkins, Chief of Operations, [email protected] or 615-320-3203 so that we can take the appropriate action. You can also or email [email protected]. 

AASLH reserves the right to take any action deemed necessary and appropriate, including immediate removal from the meeting without warning or refund, in response to any incident of unacceptable behavior, and AASLH reserves the right to prohibit attendance at any future meeting. 

Based on guidelines from the American Society of Society Executives, https://annual.asaecenter.org/meetingsafety.cfm. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Below is a collection of questions asked often as the Annual Conference approaches. Registration for the 2022 Annual Conference will open in summer of 2022.

Are the 2022 AASLH Annual Conference and the 2022 AASLH Virtual Conference the same thing? No. Starting in 2021, AASLH started offering two experiences joined under one theme. The 2022 theme is Right Here, Right Now: The Power of Place. The onsite conference is designed to be more participatory and connect attendees to the location and each other. The virtual conference is designed to provoke, inspire, and inform. Sessions were chosen by the program committee for each experience depending on the presenter’s goals for the session.

How much should I budget for the Annual Conference in Buffalo? The following ranges should help you prepare your budget. Your final fees will depend on your travel expenses, how many ticketed events you attend, and how many days you attend.

• Registration fees: Vary. Full conference registration member rates begin at $320
• Event fees: $25 and up
• Hotel fees: Between $139-$179
• Travel fees: vary depending on your location

How do I register? There are two ways to register:

• Online
• Fax or mail the registration form

I am a staff member of an Institutional Member, what do I need? You need your Institution’s membership number to receive membership rates.

I need to register someone other than myself for the Annual Conference. Can I use my username and password to register them? No. Each attendee will need to register themselves with a unique username and password.

I forgot my username and password to register. Visit aaslh.org, click Membership Center in the upper right corner, and click the link to reset your password.

I need a receipt. Send an email to [email protected] to request a receipt.

Refunds on evening events and tours. Email your cancellation to [email protected] with your name, the event, and reason for cancellation. A refund may be issued if applicable. Please refer to the cancellation policy in the program guide.

Can I purchase event tickets or any other paid events onsite? Yes, if tickets are still available you can purchase onsite for any event or tour. It’s always best to purchase your ticket(s) in advance.

I am a one-day speaker and I plan to attend only on the day that I am speaking. Do I need to fill out a registration form and pay registration fees? Yes, everyone who attends the conference needs to fill out a registration form and pay for their registration.

Who is considered a “guest” on the registration form? Anyone who accompanies you to the Annual Conference that is not going to attend any sessions or workshops. A “guest” may attend the tours and evening events and will need a name badge for that purpose. Please be sure that you list the name of your guest(s) in the “Guest’s name” field on your registration form.

Will I be included in the Attendee directory that is sent out to all attendees prior to the annual meeting? Yes, all attendees will be included in this directory as long as your registration is received three weeks before the Annual Conference. However, if you check the box “Please exclude me from the attendee directory ” on the registration form, you will not be included in the directory.

I have a “complimentary” registration because I am an exhibitor, a host site, or a volunteer. Can I register on your website? Exhibitors may register online with the promo code provided to them. Host sites and volunteers need to mail or fax a completed registration form to us.

We received coupon(s) from AASLH. Can I register on your website and use them? No, you will need to mail or fax a completed registration form to us and include a copy of the coupon(s). If you are provided with a promo code, you may use that to register online.

Save the date to join us at our upcoming conferences:

• September 6-9, 2023 in Boise, Idaho
• September 11-14, 2024 in Mobile, Alabama