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The 2026 AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo (AAM 2026), organised by the American Alliance of Museums, is the world's largest museum conference. It gathers museums of all kinds and sizes, including art, history, zoos, and botanic gardens, to exchange ideas and forge impactful connections.

This year's event will be held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from 20 - 23 May.

The 2026 AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo will centre on the theme, The Museum Odyssey, featuring four main tracks: Museums as Timekeepers, Time Travelers, Chroniclers, and Seers.

There will also be a new track this year, Museum Essentials and Evolving Practices, which emphasises essential skills and strategies across all museum disciplines.

Ahead of AAM 2026, we look at some of the key sessions, events, and exhibitors not to miss.

The Museum Odyssey

Introducing this year's theme, AAM says:

"Time shapes our lives—marking change, preserving memory, and connecting us across generations. It shapes museums, too. As timekeepers, travelers, chroniclers, and seers, museums help communities understand the past, make meaning in the present, and imagine the future.

"In 2026, as the United States marks its 250th anniversary, museums have a unique opportunity to reexamine the past, embrace the present, and help shape what comes next. Philadelphia—the birthplace of American democracy and home to the nation’s first library, zoo, and combined art school and museum—offers the perfect setting for this reflection."

The conference will include interactive and hands-on programming, networking events, and experiential workshops at Philadelphia museums.

Meanwhile, MuseumExpo showcases hundreds of exhibitors presenting the newest products, services, and technologies tailored for museums. This year, AAM is once again teaming up with the Museum Store Association to offer a combined expo hall featuring over 350 exhibitors.

Highlights from the AAM 2026 agenda

Wednesday 20 May offers many ticketed events, tours, and workshops, from a private viewing of the new exhibition The First Salute at Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, designed by Lorem Ipsum Corp, to a look at the new art institution Calder Gardens.

There is also the AAM Welcome and Awardee Reception on Wednesday evening.

On Thursday, 21 May, there will be a keynote by Philadelphia civic and business leader Charisse R. Lillie, who will discuss the role of museums in enhancing civic life during times of polarisation, economic uncertainty, and shifting public trust.

Thursday also sees the always interesting TrendsWatch session, presented by Elizabeth Merritt, founding director of AAM's Center for the Future of Museums.

Will AI make us more productive, healthier, happier, and better informed—or will it cause job displacement, environmental damage, social isolation, and financial collapse? This session will explore why both futures are plausible but not inevitable and how museum professionals can make values-informed decisions about the use of this technology.

Then, Immersive Storytelling that Goes Beyond Traditional Interpretation explores inventive, community-driven storytelling, from a rapper’s guide to public art to an audio drama produced within a visual artist’s fictional world.

Attendees are invited to consider ways to engage community members in documenting broader perspectives on museum collections and programming. This is led by Jonathan Munar of Bloomberg Philanthropies, Kristen Wawruck from MIT List Visual Arts Center, and Alix Finkelstein of the Museum of Arts and Design.

The Science of Memories: Ensuring Exhibits are Unforgettable brings together neuroscience, children’s play, and design strategy to map how unforgettable experiences are built and why they endure, with Dr Tedi Asher of the Peabody Essex Museum, Sarah Cole, from the Glazer Children’s Museum, and Luci's Matthew McNerney.

Later in the morning, NEW: Frank Lloyd Wright Traveling Exhibition with Imagine and Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, will explore Frank Lloyd Wright’s legacy, stewardship, and relevance in today’s museum landscape, ahead of the new travelling exhibition Frank Lloyd Wright: Shaping the Future.

Speakers include Dr Jennifer Gray and Henry Hendrix of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, Debbie Donohue of Imagine, and Ben Thompson of Storyland Locations.

Looking to the past and preparing for the future

On Thursday afternoon, in Future Memories of America 250, a panel will discuss how to design for the United States’ 250th anniversary so that it’s remembered decades later with case studies including the Museum of the American Revolution’s The Declaration’s Journey, and the National Constitution Center’s new galleries.

This will feature insights from Dr R. Scott Stephenson from the Museum of the American Revolution, Sarah J. Winski of the National Constitution Center, Josh Goldblum of Bluecadet, and Matthew McNerney from Luci Creative.

In Natural History Museums as Portals Through Time: Interpretation+Imagination, attendees will find out how leading institutions use narrative, collections, and immersive design to interpret time as a multilayered experience.

Speakers include Donna DiBartolomeo of DiBartolomeo Consulting, Tim Lee, Susan Neill from the Field Museum of Natural History, and Debra Everett of the American Museum of Natural History. This session is supported by RWS.

Another session looking to the future is The 10-Year View: Building Museums for 2036. The museum of 2036 will not only display history but also immerse visitors in it.

The panel will share insights on creating memorable immersive experiences, with speakers Larry Dubinski of The Franklin Institute, Alaine Arnott from the National Liberty Museum, Vincent Stango of the National Constitution Center, and Liz Murray from JCA.

The AAM part takes place on Thursday evening at the Franklin Institute. Event Network, a leading operator of retail stores for experiential attractions in the US, provides retail operations for the museum and will offer a special discount for attendees at the gift shop, as well as a unique customised tee-shirt experience for attendees.

Digital tech and designing for awe

One highlight on Friday morning is Braver Boards, Bolder Museums: Inspiring Trustees to Take Creative Risks, which will feature strategies to help boards and stakeholders embrace risk as opportunity, balance ambition with accountability, and see themselves not just as stewards but as pioneers.

The speakers are Cynthia Brown of Museum EXP, Norman O. Burns of Conner Prairie Museum, Chris James Morehead of Newfields, Ann Neumann of MIT Museum, Gretchen E. Baker of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, and AJ Goehle of Luci.

In Using Digital Technology as Interpretive Strategy at Grand Egyptian Museum, Reem Elshorbagy of the Grand Egyptian Museum will explore how digital storytelling can connect audiences with museum objects and cultural narratives. This session is supported by RWS.

Grand Egyptian Museum

Tips and Tricks for the Biggest Challenges Facing Museums Today will be presented by Mark Amos of RWS, who will look at today's major pain points for museums and how to approach and address each.

Later on Friday morning, AWEsome Encounters: Measuring and Designing for Awe in Museums will discuss how this powerful emotion supports physical health, encourages emotional well-being, and allows visitors to connect with objects in transformative ways.

The panel includes Holly Harmon of the Denver Art Museum, Jessica Luke from the University of Washington, Paula Lynn of the National Gallery of Art, and Rebecca Corona from the University of California, Berkeley.

Trends, travelling exhibitions, and truth

Friday morning will also include History in Play: Immersive Modular Exhibits That Bring History Alive, which will spotlight the Atlanta History Center’s new Goizueta Children’s Experience, a modular 5,000-square-foot gallery.

Roto's Elizabeth Fleming and Shatavia Elder of the Atlanta History Center will explain how this immersive space uses inclusive, sensory-friendly design and bilingual interpretation to reimagine how history museums welcome families and encourage long-term engagement.

The Science Behind De-Extinction and the Feasibility to Resurrect Extinct Species will see Imagine's Amanda McKenzie presenting one of the company's newest travelling exhibitions, in development with Dr Gregory M. Erickson, a leading paleobiologist and professor at Florida State University.

In Research Update: Breaking News from the Annual Survey of Museum-Goers, attendees can get the first preview of data from the 2026 Annual Survey of Museum-Goers: the latest word on public opinion, political threats, earned revenue, and meaningful experiences.

On Friday afternoon, From Data to Decisions to Discovery: AI’s New Role in Museums will examine the ways in which AI is reshaping museums, from how visitors plan visits to how teams analyse performance and make decisions.

Speakers include Angie Judge and Susan Nguyen of Dexibit, moderating, alongside Allegra Burnette from the Museum of the American Revolution, Brooke Rosenblatt of the National Museum of Asian Art, and Alexander Valenzuela of Brooklyn Museum.

Museums, Truth, and Community in the Age of Disinformation is another interesting session taking place on Friday afternoon. This will consider how trust and collaboration scale in practice, examining cocreation tactics, transparency, and budget-smart ways to adapt legacy content to new contexts.

Attendees will hear from Mike Denison of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, Meeghan Kane from the South Carolina State Museum, Sam Moore of the Missouri Historical Society, Matthew McNerney from Luci Creative, and Helen Divjak.

In Emerging Trends, Techniques and Technologies in Experiential Design, Imagine's Shawn McCoy and TAIT's Cynthia Sharpe explore how emerging technologies and experiential strategies help organisations create timely, relevant, and deeply resonant guest experiences.

Immersive & low-carbon exhibitions

On Saturday morning, Collections Unboxed: Visitor Experiences Outside the White Cube explores how a science centre, art museum, health system, and federal agency have all leveraged their unique collections to connect with audiences beyond the traditional “white cube” gallery approach.

This session includes insights from Jame Anderson of SmithGroup, Abigail M. Bysshe from The Franklin Institute, Jon Frederick of the U.S. Treasury Department, Jeffrey Allison from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and Jennifer Finkel from the University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Institutional Affairs Administration.

In Encounters with History: Designing Authentic Immersive Storytelling, speakers will unpack the process and choices that shaped Encounters, the National WWI Museum and Memorial’s newest exhibition, which uses interactive design, projection, lighting, and sound to create a powerful encounter with history.

National WWI Museum and Memorial: Encounters Exhibition

The panel for this session includes Christopher Warren of the National WWI Museum and Memorial, Chris Conte from Electrosonic, and Dan Cooper from Dot Crew.

Low-Carbon Footprint Exhibitions: Designing for the Future will look to a future in which exhibitions support immersive interactivity and informal learning without harming the environment.

Speakers include Douglas Flandro of CambridgeSeven Associates, Inc., Melissa Westlake from the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History, Keeney Swearer of Mackinac State Historic Parks, Jacqueline Hampshire of WeatherstonBruer Associates, and Ryan Kenny of the Anchorage Museum.

Using CityWorks at the New York Hall of Science as a case study, the Designing Experiences that Connect Urban Histories and Civic Futures session will follow the exhibition from ideation through to installation, and illustrate how research, iteration, and cross-sector partnership can make intricate urban systems visible, legible, and participatory.

This session will be presented by Lisa Gugenheim, CEO and president of the New York Hall of Science; Alison Rempel Brown, president and CEO of Science Museum of Minnesota; and Kirsten Holmes, principal at Trivium Interactive.

This year, AAM will also introduce MuseumFest, a free event on 23 May that celebrates Philadelphia’s cultural scene.

Located in the Historic District, it will showcase pop-up experiences and special programs across partner museums such as the National Constitution Center, the African American Museum in Philadelphia, Carpenters’ Hall, the Betsy Ross House, and the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History.

Meet the exhibitors at AAM 2026

American Museum of Natural History - booth #718

The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) works to share its engaging scientific content with audiences around the world through travelling exhibitions, immersive planetarium shows, and content drawn from the vast scientific expertise and collections.

Its travelling exhibitions, panels, photography displays, and planetarium shows have been shown in over 430 venues across more than 54 countries.

Milky Way collision with Sagittarius dwarf galaxy. Jon Parker / ©AMNH

AMNH's dedicated travelling exhibitions team, which will be exhibiting at AAM 2026, works closely with venues throughout the rental process, from selecting an exhibition, planning logistics, managing on-site installation, and providing marketing and educational tools.

Recent releases include its latest planetarium show, Encounters in the Milky Way. This new title immerses audiences in the thrilling cosmic movements that shape our galactic neighbourhood and our place in the universe.

Electrosonic - booth #811

Exhibition Hub - booth #823

Exhibition Hub, a leading creator, producer, and distributor of large-scale exhibitions worldwide, will also exhibit at AAM 2026.

Since 2015, the company has staged over 250 exhibitions in over 70 cities, attracting more than 35 million visitors. Its mission is to deliver engaging edutainment experiences for audiences of all ages, transforming museums, galleries, shopping malls, historic landmarks and even disused churches into immersive installations.

See also: Exhibition Hub's 10-year journey of innovation & global expansion

Bubble Planet

Flagship experiences include Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience, Bubble Planet, and Titanic: An Immersive Voyage. Recently, the firm presented Mind of a Serial Killer: The Experience, which harnesses the public's fascination with true crime to offer a deep exploration of detection, media, and the human psyche.

Fever - booth #1629

Fever is a premier global platform for discovering live entertainment, helping millions of people find the best local experiences.

The company invites users to discover unique events and activities, including immersive exhibitions, interactive theatre, festivals, and molecular cocktail pop-ups. It has collaborated with major industry players such as Netflix, Universal, Disney, Exhibition Hub, and Moment Factory.

Astra Lumina Los Angeles

Fever Originals are in-house experiences created by the team, including unique offerings such as Candlelight concerts, Astra Lumina, and Stranger Things: The Immersive Experience. Fever empowers creators by providing data and technology to develop and scale experiences globally.

Gateway Ticketing Systems - booth #1027

Gateway Ticketing Systems, a leading provider of admission control systems, will have a team at MuseumExpo during AAM 2026

For more than 30 years, the company has provided sales, service, and support for Point of Sale and ticketing systems to over 450 venues across six continents. The team also offers consulting and revenue generation solutions to help venues boost operational efficiency, enhance guest experiences, and increase revenue.

See also: Unifying ticketing, retail and data: Gateway’s role in modern attractions

Montréal Science Centre

Recently, the company deployed its Galaxy platform at Montréal Science Centre, situated on the Old Port of Montréal’s territory.

This implementation delivers a fully connected ticketing and admissions ecosystem to one of Canada’s most visited science attractions, strengthening operations, supporting long-term growth, and enhancing the visitor experience.

Goppion - booth #1200

Goppion, a leader in the design, construction, assembly and installation of cutting-edge display cases and installations, will also exhibit.

The company has worked with some of the finest museums and galleries around the world, including the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London, the Met, the Hong Kong Palace Museum, the V&A, Musée d’Orsay and many more.

Installation View of the Arts of Oceania, The Metropolitan Museum of Art Courtesy Paula Lobo

Most recently, it has shared details of its work to design, manufacture and install display cases for a number of galleries at the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), which opened on 1 November.

The enormous GEM complex is located at the foot of the Pyramids of Giza and spans more than 500,000 square metres. Goppion's contribution is based on an interdisciplinary approach that integrates expertise in microclimate control within display cases, materials engineering, airtightness optimisation, and long-term exhibition design.

Imagine - booth #618

The team from Imagine, a global leader in immersive storytelling and experiential design, will present some of its new projects in development at AAM 2026.

This includes Frank Lloyd Wright: Shaping the Future, for which the firm has partnered with Storyland Locations and the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, and a new exhibition, De-Extinction, in development with leading paleobiologist Dr Gregory M. Erickson. As detailed above, both will be explored in educational sessions during the conference.

Attendees can also discover Oceans: The World Beneath the Waves, now in development and premiering at Scitech in Fall 2026, alongside new partnerships with Patrick Dougherty and the Walt Disney Archives.

Tom Zaller, CEO and president; Debbie Donohue, COO and VP of sales; Angela Henry, senior director of sales; Troy Rainville, senior director of business development; Mallory Glaser, business development manager; Shawn McCoy, senior VP of business development & creative strategy; Chris Christiana, research & design associate, and Amanda McKenzie, senior design director, will all be present.

Meetings can be booked via email.

Imagineear - booth #1425

Imagineear, an audioguide and multimedia content specialist offering a full range of advisory and interpretation services, partners with some of the world’s most iconic destinations and experiences, from Liverpool’s Anfield Stadium to Stonehenge, to Warner Bros. Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter.

The team recently created two self-guided audio tours for the UK's Bodmin Jail, bringing its chilling history to life while turning visitors' phones into responsive digital guides.

It also contributed an immersive audio guide for Between Real and Surreal, a temporary retrospective celebrating the work of American photographer Rodney Smith at the Palazzo Roverella in Rovigo, Italy. The exhibition includes over 100 surreal images created by the artist between 1971 and 2014.

kubik maltbie - booth #400

kubik maltbie has been a leading producer of world-class exhibits and experiences for museums, science centres, and immersive environments since 1961. As a provider of turnkey exhibit production services, it covers the full project cycle from pre-construction and cost estimation through to project commissioning and closeout.

For every project, kubik maltbie adopts a collaborative and client-centred approach. The company's cross-disciplinary team brings a diverse skill set, ensuring that clients' objectives are met at every stage of the design-build process.

The firm is looking forward to the opening of a slate of AV integration projects this year, marking the expansion of its in-house AV Integration Team.

Render of the Motown Museum

This year alone, it is set to complete AV integration for the Motown Museum, the National Urban League’s Urban Civil Rights Museum, and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

Recently, kubik maltbie also collaborated with Studio Joseph and Click Netherfield in the delivery of the gallery design for the reimagined Princeton University Art Museum.

Luci - booth #1300

Luci, an award-winning experience design studio for museums and brands, will exhibit at MuseumExpo, in addition to the speaking sessions outlined above.

Recently, the company shared insights on creating emotionally intelligent museum interactives. The team learned lessons on designing for courage during the Game On! The Science of Sport project at the California Science Center.

Last year, amidst a rebrand, Luci reaffirmed its commitment to helping museums and brands convert limited attention into lasting impact in an era where time is scarce and attention is fragmented. The studio’s approach focuses on creating imprint experiences: designing outcomes that shape visitors' perceptions of the world and their place within it.

Delegates can find Make Museum Memories stickers and Luci pins at the booth.

Attending will be AJ Goehle, CEO and founder; Matthew McNerney, chief creative officer; Helen Divjak, director of narrative design; Amy Bornkamp, head of strategy and partnerships; and Megan Phillips, marketing associate.

To arrange a meeting with the team, please email.

Mad Systems - booth #1223

Mad Systems, an award-winning audio visual and interactive system designer and integrator, will be on hand to showcase how it designs, engineers, and develops reliable turnkey systems for museums, science centres, and other attractions.

The company specialises in innovative, unique solutions, from high-tech, state-of-the-art exhibits to electro-mechanical hands-on experiences, providing a full range of solutions to the many challenges of audiovisual presentations, including everything from interactive computer systems to video display solutions.

Recently, Maris Ensing, founder and CEO, delivered a governance playbook as the attractions industry continues to deploy AI at unprecedented speed.

The World Model: Governed AI for Hyper-Personalized Venues is a vendor-neutral framework that any operator, designer, or consultant can adopt and adapt, regardless of their platform.

Musealia - booth #323

Musealia is a global leader in creating touring exhibitions. For over 25 years, it has crafted exhibitions that inspire audiences worldwide, connecting them with the past through innovative, story-driven experiences.

It develops engaging, accessible exhibitions that showcase history’s most important moments to diverse audiences. By blending expert research with captivating narrative and striking design, each exhibit offers a comprehensive and impactful experience.

Additionally, every exhibition features an audio guide available in multiple languages, including the local language at each tour stop.

See also: Beyond objects: how Musealia creates exhibitions with meaning & purpose

The Berlin Wall: A World Divided

Current touring highlights include The Berlin Wall: A World Divided, Auschwitz: Not Long Ago, Not Far Away, and Titanic: The Exhibition.

Musealia also recently announced that Auschwitz. Not Long Ago. Not Far Away., created with the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum, will open at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) in 2027 and will run for two and a half years.

National Geographic - booth #918

The National Geographic Society, a global non-profit and leading creator of live events, experiences, and travelling exhibitions, will present highlights from its catalogue, including Animals of Earth; Red, White and Blue; Becoming Jane and more.

Animals of Earth

National Geographic has dedicated over 130 years to showcasing the wonders of the world through documentaries, live events, experiences, and travelling exhibitions. With its rich history of exploring our incredible planet, the team creates engaging stories of adventure, diverse cultures, and wild places, all tailored for audiences of every age.

See also: National Geographic & David Doubilet: the immersive power of Oceans

Attendees can meet with Cynthia Doumbia, senior director of business development; Cole Fiala, business development manager; and Alexa Fedynsky, business development manager. Meetings can be arranged via email.

Panasonic America - booth #928

Panasonic, a leading audiovisual technology provider, is also exhibiting at AAM 2026.

The company's AV solutions can be used for themed entertainment, such as theme parks, museums, live events, e-sports, retail spaces, and more, to create immersive experiences.

These experiences use digital technology to blend with the physical world, creating incredible live entertainment.

Research Casting International - booth #404

Research Casting International (RCI), an expert in the preservation, restoration, and fabrication of museum specimens, will discuss its recent work in the Middle East for the new Natural History Museum of Abu Dhabi.

The team will also present some of its travelling "Exploration Exhibits".

The company's team of artisans and technicians work closely with palaeontologists to create specimens that are both scientifically accurate and visually striking for any institution.

Last year, RCI worked with The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) on its newly renovated exhibition, The James and Louise Temerty Galleries of the Age of Dinosaurs, which opened to the public on 5 December. It also celebrated the opening of The Clapp Family Mastodon exhibit at the Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) in Michigan, US.

Attendees can meet Matt Fair, general manager/co-owner; Patrick Fair, sales manager; and Owen Payette, sales & marketing coordinator.

RLMG - booth #1311

RLMG, a renowned digital design studio specialising in story-driven, interactive, dynamic, immersive, and educational installations for public spaces, will be present at MuseumExpo.

AAM attendees can learn more about some of the firm's recent projects, including Montana Heritage Center, Worcester Art Museum, York County History Center, The WaterShed, Freedom Plaza, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Science Center of Iowa, and Musco Lighting Experience Center.

Agua Caliente Cultural Museum

Sara Smith, head of partnerships; Richard Lewis, founder; Greg Sprick, executive director; Tim Boutelle, director of creative technology; and Chris Mellor, creative strategist, will all be present.

Roto - booth #1203

Roto, a leading planning & design-build firm, will showcase its latest work created for leading cultural institutions like Atlanta History Center, B&O Railroad Museum, California Science Center, Northern Virginia Science Center, and more.

The company also opened its own “experimental” museum, Prototype, in Columbus, Ohio, in late 2025. This unique, 30,000-square-foot cultural laboratory opened to the public on 1 November and aims to advance the art and science of museum experiences.

Prototype: The Experimental Museum

Created for curious adults, the venue encourages guests to explore six immersive "stages" complete with interactive media, kinetic light, projection, and audio.

Delegates can schedule a meeting at the booth to discuss how Roto can help bring their vision to life.

Attending from Roto will be: Meg Dunfee, principal; Nick Braun, VP of creative technology; Rachel Escusa, marketing director; Samantha Rubino, project manager; Jeffrey Stemen, design director; Mary Noxon, senior designer; Natalie Pettit, project manager; and Arianny Damian, content strategist.

SEGD - booth #625

The Society for Experiential Graphic Design (SEGD) is an association for creators of content-rich, emotionally compelling, experiential spaces for a wide range of environments, including museums, brand experiences, and themed environments.

Operating at the intersection of communications and the built environment, the field embraces a wide range of disciplines, including graphic design, architecture, interior design, landscape design, digital design, and industrial design.

SEGD recently hosted this year's International Design Day, the annual celebration established by the International Council of Design (ICoD) to reflect on the role design plays in shaping society. On 27 April, the event brought together conversations and local activations across time zones under this year’s theme: The Spaces In Between.

Trivium Interactive - booth #511

Trivium Interactive, a multimedia design and production studio, will present its work in interactive and immersive media for attractions.

Recent projects include America's Founding at the National Constitution Center and This is Native Land at the Washington State Historical Society, American Prophets: Writers, Religion, and Culture at the American Writers Museum, and Saga Center at Haugo Bibliotek at Norway House.

America's Founding at the National Constitution Center

Attending will be Jillian Domenici, principal; Kirsten Holmes, principal; Bruce Spero, principal; Beth Sternheimer, VP of production; Jenna Lang, senior content producer; and Kelven Polite, support services technician.

Delegates can book a meeting by email or via the Trivium website.