By Bethany L. Hawkins
Registration is now open for the AASLH/AMA Annual Meeting. We cannot wait to see you Little Rock on September 22-25 as we dig into the theme Doing History/Doing Justice. The preliminary program can be found online.
The AASLH Program Chair, Michelle Moon, the 2021 Program and Host Committees, and AASLH staff are working to turn the Annual Meeting in Little Rock into a transformative experience. Every attendee will have the opportunity to be a true participant in a rich offering of workshops, tours, in-depth discussions, hands-on experiences, and social events. Days spent onsite with colleagues will include more shared experiences inside and out of the formal conference program. Attendees will also be encouraged to visit history institutions and sites in the Little Rock area with colleagues or on their own and to participate in workshops and tours that maximize the history, culture, and places of the host city.
Here is a sneak peek at some of the new things you will find at the Little Rock conference.
Our New Conference Format
We encourage each attendee’s full participation in the Little Rock sessions, workshops, and tours and hope you will try the in-depth discussions, hands-on experiences, and social events we have planned. Each session type is categorized so that you can see the level of participation it involves. We also encourage you to visit history institutions and cultural sites in the area and to participate in workshops and tours that accentuate the history, culture, and sense of place of this capital city. In addition, we have placed throughout the schedule times when there will be an opportunity to get out and explore Little Rock on your own or in an informal group. Program and Host committee members, and the staff, have striven to make this conference unique to Little Rock and to the theme, Doing History/Doing Justice.
Our Partner, Arkansas Museums Association
AASLH is pleased to partner with the Arkansas Museums Association (AMA) for the 2021 conference. The Arkansas Museums Association (AMA) is an organization of museums and museum personnel dedicated to the promotion of professional standards in Arkansas museums, the encouragement of interaction between members and the development of public support for and interest in Arkansas museums.
Keynote Speaker Meals
This year, our keynotes will include a meal. We will have a breakfast session on Thursday, September 23, and lunch keynote on Friday, September 24. These meals are included in your 2021 meeting registration.
Time for Networking and Exploring Little Rock
With our new schedule, there is even more time to network with your colleagues, meet people new to AASLH and AMA, and see our host city. Events include:
- 36 Questions to Fall in Civic Love in the Exhibit Hall
- Brainstorming Sessions – Based on a topic facing history organizations in 2021, these sessions give the audience a chance to talk about important issues and share ideas and solutions.
- Drop-In Tours – Informal tours will give attendees a chance to meet up with new colleagues and old friends to visit local sites in downtown Little Rock (admission and transportation not included).
- Meet and Eat – You will have the chance to sign up in advance to join colleagues for lunch at a nearby restaurant (food, drink, and transportation not included).
Make plans now to join us in Little Rock this fall. The early bird registration deadline is August 6. Don’t miss out on this amazing time with your colleagues. Visit https://aaslh.org/annualmeeting/2021annualmeeting/ for more information.
