Agenda in progress. Check back for updates.
Agenda | Tuesday, November 12
4-6pm | Registration and Welcome Reception
Location: Junior Ballroom
Register and mix and mingle with fellow attendees
Agenda | Wednesday, November 13
7-8am | Registration and Breakfast
Location: Grand Ballroom A & B
Register and join us for continental breakfast
8-8:15am | Welcome and Opening Remarks
Location: Grand Ballroom A & B
Overview and goals of the Conference
Introduction to presenters and panelists, highlighting their background and contributions to the field
Tom Hand, Founder, Americana Corner
8:15-8:45am | Charting the Course
Location: Grand Ballroom A & B
Strategic Planning: A roadmap guiding decision-making and resource allocation to ensure sustained growth and success
Presenter | Mary Manges, Executive Director, Fort Ligonier
9-9:45am | Fortifying Foundations
Location: Grand Ballroom A & B
Recruiting board members for function and funding; donor cultivation; enhancing friends groups
Panelists:
Beth Hill, President and CEO, The Fort Ticonderoga Association
Chuck Laudner, Strategic Consultant, American Battlefield Trust
Mary Manges, Executive Director, Fort Ligonier
Moderated by Tom Hand, Americana Corner
10-10:45am | Funding the Framework, Pt. 1: Resources and Essential Strategies
Location: Grand Ballroom A & B
Fundraising –– what works for one doesn’t work for all
Explore individual giving, corporate sponsorships, foundation funding, government grants and partnerships, event-based contributions, peer-to-peer fundraisers, in-kind donations, and the vital role of volunteers
Panelists:
Bess M. Averett, Executive Director, Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park and Campaign
Mary Manges, Executive Director, Fort Ligonier
Jennifer Martin, Executive Director, Friends of Washington Crossing Park, PA
Moderated by Tom Hand, Americana Corner
11-12pm | Breakout Groups
Location: Grand Ballroom A & B
Recap the day’s discussion with your peers and get assistance from group leaders to develop your plan of action
12-12:45pm | Lunch
Location: Grand Ballroom A & B
1-1:45pm | Building Brands in a Digital World
Location: Grand Ballroom A & B
Using digital resources to promote your mission: content and digital marketing; website management and social media strategy
Presenter | Lawrence Swiader, Chief Digital Officer, American Battlefield Trust
Panelists:
Jennifer Martin, Executive Director, Friends of Washington Crossing Park, PA
Larry Swiader, Chief Digital Officer, American Battlefield Trust
Matthew Wedd, Executive Director, Conococheague Institute
Moderated by Tom Hand, Americana Corner
2-2:45pm | Bridging Bonds
Location: Grand Ballroom A & B
Developing strong relationships with media, Chamber of Commerce, tourism boards, and local civic groups, and the importance of partnering with and sharing knowledge among other historical sites and organizations to promote mutual growth and visibility
Panelists:
Bess M. Averett, Executive Director, Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park and Campaign
Connie Langum, Retired, National Park Service
Matthew Wedd, Executive Director, Conococheague Institute
Moderated by Tom Hand, Americana Corner
3-4pm | Breakout Groups
Location: Grand Ballroom A & B
Recap the day’s discussion with your peers and get assistance from group leaders to develop your plan of action
6-8pm | Reception, Dinner and Keynote
Location: Grand Ballroom A & B
Join us for a catered dinner and an opportunity to connect with peers, presenters, and Conference staff. The evening will feature a keynote presentation, Cultivating Success, by Beth Hill, President of Fort Ticonderoga
Introduction | David Duncan, President, American Battlefield Trust
Keynote | Cultivating Success: The Critical Role of Organizational Culture by Beth Hill, President and CEO, Fort Ticonderoga
Culture is fundamental to organizational success. A healthy culture will foster creativity, empower staff, best serve stakeholders, and result in measurable outcomes, yielding greater impact. From risk taking to quick wins, take a deep dive into how museums and historic sites can build a winning culture.
Agenda | Thursday, November 14
7-8am | Continental Breakfast
Location: Grand Ballroom A & B
8-8:45am | Teaching History in the 21st Century
Location: Grand Ballroom A & B
Discover strategies for making history engaging and accessible for students and the public. Learn about developing educational programs, creating impactful exhibits and signage, and designing interactive tours and living history programs to enhance understanding and foster connections to the past.
Panelists:
Connie Langum, Retired, National Park Service
Mary Manges, Executive Director, Fort Ligonier
Matthew Wedd, Executive Director, Conococheague Institute
Moderated by Tom Hand, Americana Corner
9-9:45am | Connecting Communities
Location: Grand Ballroom A & B
Quality vs. Quantity
Engage the local community by organizing events, workshops, festivals, and programs; collaborate with local businesses, food vendors, artisans, reenactors to enhance the overall experience
Panelists:
Beth Hill, President and CEO, The Fort Ticonderoga Association
Jennifer Martin, Executive Director, Friends of Washington Crossing Park, PA
Matthew Wedd, Executive Director, Conococheague Institute
Moderated by Tom Hand, Americana Corner
10-10:45am | Breakout Groups
Location: Grand Ballroom A & B
Recap the day’s discussion with your peers and get assistance from group leaders to develop your plan of action
11-11:45am | Big Picture Planning
Location: Grand Ballroom A & B
Strategies and practices for cultivating relationships with public officials and relevant government entities, generating long-term financial support for organization in a consistent and reliable manner, and how to effectively craft and run a successful capital campaign.
Panelists:
Jim Campi, Chief Policy and Communications Officer
David Duncan, President, American Battlefield Trust
Jim Lighthizer, President Emeritus, American Battlefield Trust
Moderated by Tom Hand, Americana Corner
12-1pm | Lunch
Location: Grand Ballroom A & B
1-1:45pm | Preserving America Grant Program and American Battlefield Trust Park Day
Location: Grand Ballroom A & B
Presenter | Tom Hand, Creator and Publisher, Americana Corner and Jim Campi, Chief Policy and Communications Officer, American Battlefield Trust
