ANNUAL CONFERENCE
2026 Annual Meeting and Conference | Wheeling-Triadelphia, WV | April 23-25, 2026
Looking Forward, Looking Back: Positioning Museums for the Next 250 Years
CALL FOR PROPOSALS
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The West Virginia Association of Museums’ annual meeting and conference will be held April 23-25, 2025, at the Highlands Event Center in Triadelphia, West Virginia. The theme of WVAM’s 2026 conference is “Looking Forward, Looking Back: Positioning Museums for the Next 250 Years.”
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WVAM is now accepting proposals for papers, presentations, workshops, and poster sessions addressing our theme or topics relevant to West Virginia’s diverse museums. Proposals can address our conference theme, but do not have to. Presentations can present any research or projects related to public history, museums, and similar institutions.
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Paper/Presentation Sessions: 60 minute slots – can be a single presenter or panel of several presenters.
Workshop: Length can vary – Hands-on or demonstration of skills, techniques, and methods.
Poster: A visual representation of scholarly or museum-related projects. Tri-fold boards are encouraged so that the poster can be placed on a table. (Note: Poster Session will be during the Reception on Thursday evening)
Proposals must include:
-A summary of the presentation, workshop, or poster topic.
-A short abstract (under 100 words) of the presentation, workshop, or poster for the conference program.
-Name and contact information for each presenter.
-A short biography (50-75 words) and affiliation for each presenter.
-Indicate if you need technology or any other special requests.
The deadline for submission of proposals is January 30, 2026.
Proposal Notes:
-Submitters should be available for scheduling during the entire conference, April 23-25. We will do our best to accommodate scheduling requests, but it is not guaranteed.
-All presenters must pay for conference registration.
-Please ensure your submitted information is correct as this will be used in the program and promotional materials.
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The mission of the West Virginia Association of Museums is to serve, educate, advocate for, and enhance communications within the museum community. By listening to its members, serving their interests, and keeping members informed of current national standards and activities, WVAM works to benefit institutions, professionals, volunteers, and others interested in the museums of the Mountain State.
CALL FOR SPONSORS, EXHIBITORS, AND ADVERTISERS
Please accept this invitation to exhibit during the 2026 conference, to advertise in the conference program, purchase social media ads, and sponsor conference events.
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Read full Call for Sponsors, Exhibitors, and Advertisers here.
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SPACE IS LIMITED SO RESERVE EARLY!
Complete the form online or mail form to the address below by January 30, 2026 to reserve your tables, advertisements, and sponsorships.
All fees are due by February 28, 2026 payable online or by check made out to West Virginia Association of Museums. In order to be featured in printed conference materials, sponsorships and advertisements must be received by February 28, 2026.
Please send logo files and ad designs to museumsofwv@gmail.com by February 28, 2026.
Mail form to WVAM, P.O. Box 4589, Morgantown, WV 26504 or email to museumsofwv@gmail.com
Exhibitor Tables:
Exhibitor tables will be located in Salon C at the Highlands Events Center. Exhibitors will be provided with a table and chair(s). The venue may or may not provide table coverings, be prepared to bring your own. Additional tables are available at a discounted rate.
Small organizations may take advantage of the shared table rate, which provides half a table and one chair.
Each exhibitor will receive one conference registration included in the fee. Additional registrations may be purchased.
Exhibitor Table – $200 (includes one conference registration for vendor)
Additional tables – $50 each
Shared table – $100 per vendor (for half a table) (includes one conference registration for vendor)
Advertising:
Ads will appear in the digital preliminary and final print programs. The program is distributed to all conference attendees, shared with our email list, and posted on the website and social media.
Ads may be in color or black and white and should be at least 300 resolution. Please send both a JPEG and PDF version of your ad.
Full page ad: 7.5” (w) x 10” (h)
Full page ad in program (front of program) – $150
Full page ad in program (back of program) – $130
Half page ad: 7.5” (w) x 5” (h)
Half page ad in program (front of program) – $100
Half page ad in program (back of program) – $80
Quarter page ad: 3.5” (w) x 5” (h)
Quarter page ad in program (front of program) – $60
Quarter page ad in program (back of program) – $40
Social media posts may be an image (photo/flyer/logo) or a video. All social media posts will be shared to the WVAM facebook and instagram pages. Please provide a brief paragraph to accompany each social media post, and provide any account handles/websites you wish to have included in your post(s).
Social Media Feature(s) – $30 each, or 4 for $100
Event Sponsorships:
All sponsors will be featured on the conference webpage and WVAM social media, and will be able to put promotional materials in the conference bags for attendees. There will be prominent signage with sponsor name and logo at your sponsored event.
Awards Sponsor: $350
Sponsorship covers the monetary award for Institution of the Year and cost of awards.
Breaks Sponsor: $500
Drinks station at the Highlands Event Center.
Reception Sponsor: $750
Reception will be held Thursday, April 23, 2026 at the Scottish Rite Cathedral.
Banquet Sponsor: $750
Banquet will be held Friday, April 24, 2026 at the Highlands Event Center.
Keynote Sponsor: $750
Sponsorship covers honorarium and travel accommodations for keynote speaker.
Keynote address occurs during Friday night Banquet.
Sponsorship Packages:
Title Sponsorship – $2000
The title sponsorship is designed for businesses and organizations that want to make a meaningful impact by supporting the West Virginia Association of Museums (WVAM) and its mission. This premier sponsorship level provides high-profile recognition before, during, and after the event, helping demonstrate your organization’s commitment to education, preservation, and the arts across West Virginia.
Recognition as the “2026 WVAM Conference Presented by {Company Name]
Prominent logo placement on: Conference program front cover, all event signage, and
main conference webpage
Dedicated sponsor spotlight in: banquet remarks, a 5-post social media series, and
conference emails
Two conference registrations
Exhibitor Table
Full back-page cover ad in conference program
Name, logo, link, and 250-word profile on conference webpage
Promotional materials in conference bags
Industry Partner Membership for 1 year
Platinum Sponsor – $1000
Two conference registrations
Ability to brand or sponsor banquet, keynote, or reception
Exhibitor Table
Full page ad in conference program
Name, logo, link, and 100-word profile on conference webpage
Display of logo on front cover of program
Three social media feature posts
Promotional materials in conference bags
Industry Partner Membership for 1 year
Gold Sponsor – $500
One conference registration
Ability to brand or sponsor a session
Exhibitor table
Half page ad in conference program
Name, logo, link, and 100-word profile on conference webpage
Two social media feature posts
Promotional materials in conference bags
25% discount on Industry Partner Membership
Silver Sponsor – $250
One conference registration
Ability to brand or sponsor a session
Quarter page ad in conference program
Name, logo, link, and 100-word profile on conference webpage
Social media feature post
Promotional materials in conference bags
Bronze Sponsor – $100
Logo in conference program
Name, logo, and link on conference webpage
Social media post with other Bronze Sponsors
Promotional materials in conference bags
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The purchase of exhibit space, advertisements, and sponsorships for the 2026 West Virginia Association of Museums conference is non-refundable and non-transferable.
REGISTRATION
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