As I continue to grow personally and professionally, I gain a greater understanding of what I need for both continuing education and my consulting business. For 2020, I am looking forward to attending the conferences listed below - keep reading and find out why I selected these events.
Reach out (me@sarahmarsom.com) if you would like me to be a part of your 2020 program schedule (conference or special events).
Midwest Craft Con
When: February 28- March 1
Where: Columbus, Ohio
Why: A conference that teaches small business strategies and offers hands-on craft workshops… can you get better than that? I have yet to find a preservation conference that teaches practical strategies for small businesses owners- taxes, marketing, goal planning etc.. While a crafty business is not exactly the same as preservation consulting, there are great tidbits for a business owner of any kind who runs a niche business.
The defunct Attamaha Apiaries is a couple hours east of Atlanta.
Annual Meeting of the National Council on Public History
When: March 18- 21
Where: Atlanta, Georgia
Why: The National Council on Public History’s conference has been recommended to me by a variety of preservationists. When Brian Whetstone invited me to participate in a session he was creating for NCPH, I happily accepted. I will be a panelist at the conference’s “ Rethinking Our Preservation Toolkit: Envisioning an Inclusive Future for Historic Preservation” discussion alongside Eddie Torrez, Jinny Turman, Brian Whetstone, and William Stoutamire.
New York Statewide Preservation Conference
When: March 26-28
Where: Syracuse, New York
Why: Syracuse is home to the Everson Museum, the first museum designed by I.M. Pei. The New York Preservation Conference has partnered with the Everson Museum to celebrate the state’s modern architecture. I will be facilitating the workshop- “Crafing a Future for Modernism.” Workshop participants will have the opportunity to sew their own Tiny I.M. Pei, while discussing strategies to preserve modern design. This event is free for Everson Museum members and NY Preservation Conference attendees.
The MHPN conference in Holland (2019), was shortly after the community’s annual tulip festival!
Michigan Historic Preservation Network Conference
When: May 14-16
Where: Kalamazoo, Michigan
Why: Ever since attending graduate school at Eastern Michigan University, I have made a concerted effort to go back to Michigan as frequently as possible for friends, work, and relaxation. It’s always a pleasure to attend MHPN’s annual conference and I am looking forward to being a part of the “Breaking Barriers on the Frontline: Annual Opening Plenary Session.”
Missouri Preservation Conference
When: June 3-5
Where: Jefferson City, Missouri
Why: It is truly an honor to be invited to keynote a preservation conference. My Missouri keynote will focus on resiliency, learning how to fail, and pushing preservation forward. Statewide conferences offer intimate networking opportunities, a wealth of knowledge on the area’s history, and offer opportunities to visit unexpected places. I look forward to seeing what Jefferson City has to offer!
Is there anything better than getting a sweet treat from a small business housed in an old building with your conference buds?
FORUM, the National Alliance for Preservation Commissions’s biannual conference
When: July 22-26
Where: Tacoma, Washington
Why: Conferences are an opportunity to expand a practitioners toolkit and to encourage them to try new strategies. Having attended previously (Des Moines - 2018), I know that this conference has a strong focus on practical strategies. I’m looking forward to being a part of FORUM by speaking on strategies to make a presentation inclusive at the NAPC’s “Train the Trainer” session for CAMP trainers and to be a part of the on-site assistance team.
ImpactInvest: The Real Estate Investing Conference
When: August 14-15
Where: Columbus, Ohio
Why: The Housing JV team is thoughtfully empowering others to be developers with their online courses and annual event ImpactInvest. I love being an advisor to this development company and am very excited to attend ImpactInvest for the first time! While I’ve worked with developers, I have been trepidatious to determine if I want to become one myself. I’m hoping this conference helps me determine if incremental development is the right investment strategy for me.
Heritage Ohio Annual Preservation and Revitalization Conference
When: September 1-2
Where: Springfield, Ohio
Why: As a Heritage Ohio board member it is always a pleasure to attend an annual conference and meet the organization’s members, learn what is happening around the state, and explore a community alongside my peers. With a Frank Lloyd Wright home, a visionary art space, and a downtown renaissance happening, I think Springfield will have a wide variety of preservation inspiration.
A teahouse at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami.
PastForward, the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s annual conference
When: October 28-30
Where: Miami, Florida
Why: When I was invited to join PastForward’s conference planning committee, I knew I’d want to go to Miami to see what the team creates in person (+ who doesn’t want to enjoy a few days in Miami).
Want a few strategies to help you decide on what conferences are right for you? Click this link to learn a few ways to determine your continuing education goals.