Please do not distribute. Registered attendees for Museums Advocacy Day 2026 can access the full program.

As of November 25, 2025. Subject to change.

Need a brief view? The Schedule at a Glance is available.

Pre-Event On Demand Webinars

What to Expect at Museums Advocacy Day Webinar – Date/Time TBD

Webinar designed for first time attendees or previous attendees wanting a refresher. When registration is available, registered attendees can find the link to join in the Event Resource Center.

Sunday, February 22

Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel – 900 South Orme Street, Arlington VA, 22204

All Day – On Your Own: Museum Visits – Washington, DC and beyond

2 – 5 p.m. – Check In and Materials Pick Up – Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel
From the lobby, follow signs for Museums Advocacy Day to pick up your badge and materials at our check-in table. AAM and Advocacy Associates staff will be on hand to answer questions, including about your Tuesday meetings schedule.

5 – 6:30 p.m. – Welcome & Networking Reception – Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel; Galaxy Ballroom
Join your fellow advocates for networking and light refreshments to officially kick off Museums Advocacy Day 2026!

Monday, February 23

Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel – 900 South Orme Street, Arlington VA, 22204

7:30 – 8:30 a.m. – Check In and Networking Breakfast
If you didn’t have a chance to check in with us yesterday, stop by to pick up your badge and materials. Then grab some light nourishment and caffeine and meet some of your fellow advocates.

8:30 – 9:15 a.m. – Welcome to Museums Advocacy Day 2026!

• Guest Speaker: TBA
• Marilyn Jackson, President & CEO
• Nichole Westin, Senior Director of Government & Field Relations, American Alliance of Museums

9:15 – 9:45 a.m. – Advocacy & Policy Essentials: Understanding the Appropriations Process

• Speaker: TBD

Before we discuss the details you need to know for Tuesday’s meetings, this session sets the stage with a brief overview of what the Congressional spending process looks like and how our advocacy work fits in. You will:

• Receive an update on the Congressional budget and appropriations processes, as well as valuable insights and important context on the legislative landscape on Capitol Hill
• Gain understanding of issues critical to smart and effective advocacy

9:45 – 10:30 a.m. – Advocacy & Policy Essentials: Key Issues & Asks

• Nichole Westin, Senior Director of Government & Field Relations, American Alliance of Museums

This session is essential and required for every advocate participating in Tuesday, Feb. 24 Congressional meetings. You will:

• Hear about the key asks you’ll be making in Congressional visits
• Learn how to frame the issues and how to be prepared to respond to questions Congressional offices may have

10:30 – 11 a.m. – Networking Break

11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. – Advocacy & Policy Essentials: Advocacy in Action

• Brandy Dillingham, Director of Advocacy, American Alliance of Museums

This session will get you excited and prepared to put everything you just learned into action! You will:

• Get tips to prepare you to be successful in visiting Congressional offices and helping you navigate Capitol Hill – including what to expect, how to approach the day, and how to follow up
• Hear expert advice on being an effective advocate for museums, including telling your museum’s story and communicating its community impact

11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Networking Lunch (Location of State Room Assignments will be announced closer to the event.)

This is a dedicated time for you to begin to connect with fellow advocates from your state and region over lunch, while more formal Congressional visit planning can be reserved for the “Preparation and Practice” session later in the afternoon.

1 – 1:45 p.m. – What’s Next? Insights from Congressional Staff

• Panelists: Congressional Staff (Invited Congressional Staff with the panel planned to be bipartisan and bicameral), exact speakers to be announced in the coming weeks; Moderator: TBD

1:45 – 2:30 p.m. – What’s Next? Perspectives on Creating Coalitions and Building New Paths Forward

• Panelists: Representatives from Museums Advocacy Supporters (Leader Supporter Level or higher); Moderator: TBD

2:30 – 2:45 p.m. – Networking Break

2:45 – 3:15 p.m. – Community Town Hall

3:15 – 4:30 p.m. – Putting It All Together: Preparation and Practice (Location of State Room Assignments, will be announced closer to the time of the event.)

Now that you have all of the tools and knowledge to be a successful advocate for museums, meet back at your state tables to prepare and practice for your Capitol Hill visits tomorrow. View the Meeting Coordination Instructions (to be posted closer to the event) to help you during this time, in which you will:

• Compare Congressional meeting schedules and exchange contact information with fellow advocates
• Use the sample meeting outline (to be posted in the coming weeks) to plan your Hill visits, including identifying speaking roles
• Practice for your visits with your fellow advocates so that you feel prepared for Tuesday’s visits
• Ask any final questions of AAM staff

Tuesday, February 24

Travel on your own or with fellow advocates to Capitol Hill for your meetings. Remember to leave plenty of time for security screening! See FAQs for travel tips and directions.

8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. – Meetings on Capitol Hill – U.S. Capitol Complex – For specific locations, refer to your personalized schedule which will be available (prior to the event) in the Advocacy Day App. Your unique log in information will be sent to you in mid-February.

Put everything from yesterday’s program into action as you meet with your Congressional representatives and their teams throughout the day. The Alliance is arranging your Capitol Hill visits for you based on information you provided during registration. Your customized meeting schedule (you will be emailed access prior to the event) will be available—via electronic format—through the Advocacy Day App shortly prior to and during Museums Advocacy Day. You will:

• Make key asks on behalf of the museum field
• Communicate the value of museums with data and stories
• Use your voice to share the story of your work in the museum field
• Practice and expand your professional & advocacy skills
• Capture notes to follow up with offices and AAM staff

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Between meetings? Need a place to take a break? Space will be available for advocates between meetings at The Methodist House (Note: this space is not for luggage storage.)  

5 p.m.* – 7 p.m. – Congressional Reception (Rayburn Foyer, Rayburn House Office Building)

*Allow extra time for security screening! Review items that are prohibited in the Capitol Visitors Center (CVC).

Gather with fellow advocates, members of Congress and their staffs, and partners to celebrate museums and mark the conclusion of Museums Advocacy Day 2025.