Program – Museums Advocacy Day 2026
Please do not distribute. Registered attendees for Museums Advocacy Day 2026 can access the full program.
As of February 18, 2026. Subject to change.
Need a brief view? The Schedule at a Glance is available.
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Pre-Event On Demand Webinars
[Held live on February 3] Webinar: What to Expect at Museums Advocacy Day
This pre-event webinar helps participants earn more about the different elements of Museums Advocacy Day. Learn how to prepare, what to expect, and more. If you’re new to Museums Advocacy Day or would like a refresher on participating, start with this webinar! It also featured a Q&A for attendee questions.
Registered participants for Museums Advocacy Day 2026 can access the webinar recording the Event Resource Center. (Password is in emails you have received about you Museums Advocacy Day registration).
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 – Commonwealth Ballroom
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! – Commonwealth Ballroom
Speakers:
- Congressman Paul Tonko
- Marilyn Jackson, President & CEO, American Alliance of Museums
- Nichole Westin, Senior Director of Government & Field Relations, American Alliance of Museums
- Veronica Nichols, Executive Vice President of Strategic Growth, Event Network
9:15 – 9:45 a.m. – Advocacy & Policy Essentials: Understanding the Appropriations Process – Commonwealth Ballroom
- Speaker: Sarah Abernathy, Executive Director, Committee for Education Funding
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 – Commonwealth Ballroom
- 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 our 2026 Congressional priorities
- Learn how to frame the issues and how to be prepared to respond to questions Congressional offices may have
- Get updates on recent Federal advocacy efforts
10:30 – 11 a.m. – Networking Break
11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. – Advocacy & Policy Essentials: Advocacy in Action – Commonwealth Ballroom
- Brandy Dillingham, Director of Advocacy, American Alliance of Museums
This session will get you 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 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)
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. Need some discussion topics? See the lunch networking guide.
1 – 1:45 p.m. – What’s Next? Insights from Congressional Staff – Commonwealth Ballroom
Panelists:
- Evan Johnston, Rep. Pingree’s Office
- Sharif Long, Rep. Ayanna Pressley’s Office
Moderator: Nichole Westin, Senior Director of Government & Field Relations, American Alliance of Museums
1:45 – 2:30 p.m. – What’s Next? How Do we Rebuild, Rethink, and Reassess Museum and Cultural Programs Beyond 2026? – Commonwealth Ballroom
Panelists:
- Veronica Nichols, Executive Vice President of Strategic Growth, Event Network
- John Marks, Vice President of Research and Engagement, American Association for State and Local History
- Bonnie Styles, Ph.D., Executive Director, Association of Science Museum Directors
- Vedet Coleman-Robinson, Ph.D, President and CEO of the Association of African American Museums
- Stephanie Johnson-Cunningham, Executive Director, Museum Hue
- Sarah Milberg, Senior Vice President, Association of Zoos and Aquariums
- Andrew Finch, Director of Policy, Association of Art Museum Directors
- Arthur Affleck, President and CEO, Association of Children’s Museums
Moderator: Grace Stewart, Associate VP of Coalition Building & Practice Management, American Alliance of Museums
2:30 – 2:45 p.m. – Networking Break
2:45 – 3:15 p.m. – Community Town Hall – Commonwealth Ballroom
Panelists:
- Grace Stewart, Associate VP of Coalition Building & Practice Management, American Alliance of Museums
- Nichole Westin, Senior Director of Government & Field Relations, American Alliance of Museums
- Brandy Dillingham, Director of Advocacy, American Alliance of Museums
A time to ask more questions about what you have heard, share what you have learned from past Museums Advocacy Day, and what you all are seeing in your communities.
3:15 – 4:30 p.m. – Putting It All Together: Preparation and Practice (State Room Assignments)
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 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 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. AAM will have shuttles running between the Sheraton Pentagon City and Capitol Hill. Remember to leave plenty of time for security screening! See map of Capitol Hill.
8 – 10 a.m. – Congressional Breakfast Reception – Rayburn House Office Building Room 2168
Attendees, members of Congress, and Congressional staff are invited to stop by for breakfast as schedules allow.
8 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Meetings on Capitol Hill – U.S. Capitol Complex – For specific locations, refer to your personalized schedule which will be available in the AdvocacyDay App. Your unique log in information will be sent to you on February 11.
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 AdvocacyDay 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 Building (100 Maryland Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002) (Note: this space is not for luggage storage.)