From 20 – 23 May 2026, the American Alliance of Museums will host the world’s largest museum conference, the 2026 AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. The event brings together professionals from museums of all types and sizes including art, history, science, zoos, botanical gardens, heritage sites and more, for several days of learning, collaboration and connection.
The Museum Odyssey
AAM 2026 Theme
As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, AAM 2026 invites delegates to explore The Museum Odyssey: a reflective and forward-looking theme centred on museums as timekeepers, travellers, chroniclers and seers.
Conference programming will be organised across five key tracks:
- Museums as Timekeepers
- Time Travelers
- Chroniclers
- Seers
- Museum Essentials and Evolving Practices – a new track for 2026 focused on core skills, foundational functions and emerging strategies that underpin museum impact.
What to Expect at AAM 2026
AAM 2026 offers a rich mix of keynote sessions, panels, workshops and hands-on learning opportunities, delivering practical insights and new perspectives for museum professionals at every career stage. Highlights include:
- Connection & Networking
- Professional Development
- Cutting-edge Innovations at the MuseumExpo
- Inspiration & Fresh Perspectives
Why Attend?
- Build meaningful professional connections with colleagues from around the world
- Explore cross-disciplinary insights from museums of all types
- Discover new approaches that challenge assumptions and unlock creative problem-solving
- Find innovative solutions to your institution’s current challenges
- Return energised and equipped with new tools and ideas to advance your work
Registration
AAM 2026 will take place 20 – 23 May 2026 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, USA.
