Proving that the issue of "Why Museums Matter" is a crucial one to the field, more than 6,000 museum professionals and supporters gathered in Chicago on May 13–17 to attend the biggest AAM Annual Meeting yet. Sessions, speakers and soirees provided opportunities to explore Chicago's renowned museum community and the concerns of cultural institutions worldwide.

Dozens of sessions offered during the conference covered a broad scope of museum concerns, from disaster planning to podcasting. "Preparing the Next Generation of Museum Professionals" examined the gap between technology training and understanding in museums, while "Making the Museum Experience Matter" identified the key factors that motivate people to visit museums, from viewing a specific exhibition to simply enjoying a family outing. The needs of young professionals were addressed in discussions such as "Boomers and 13ers: When Museum Talents Converge" and "Mentoring Matters: Today's Investment in Tomorrow's Leaders." Other sessions explored the best ways to accommodate older audiences and visitors with disabilities, as well as to develop volunteer programs, avoid art theft, budget strategically and convince lawmakers to support museum interests.

The value of museums also was a focus of the meeting's two general sessions, headlined by keynote speakers Salman Rushdie, celebrated author and winner of the Booker Prize, and historian and Pulitzer Prize-winner Doris Kearns Goodwin. Introducing Rushdie along with speakers such as First Lady of Chicago Maggie Daley and new AAM President and CEO Ford W. Bell, Irene Hirano, chairman of the AAM Board and president and CEO of the Japanese American National Museum, noted that the theme "Why Museums Matter" defines the museum profession as a whole. "Every day we face the task of proving ourselves relevant and essential to new audiences and new supporters," she said, stressing the ongoing need for "fearless and creative thinking" in the field.

In his talk, "Culture, Free Expression and How Museums Matter," Rushdie credited museums as a key influence on his life and work, as well as on writing in general. "Literature would be unable to exist without museums to depend on," he said, citing Henry James, Edith Wharton and even Holden Caulfield as a few of the literary figures that have used museums as a setting and resource. Authors cannot write about history until they "can hear the people speak," Rushdie said, referring to the artifacts of everyday life that give true insight into centuries past, and that can be seen only by "diving into the great collections" held by museums.

Similarly, in a discussion of "Leadership Lessons from Abraham Lincoln," Goodwin recounted the great use museums were to her during the 10 years she spent researching her latest work, an extensive history of Lincoln's political life. Dating her love of museums to a childhood research project that led her to spend hours at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, Goodwin praised museums and books for their unique, shared ability to revive history. "If you could be in a place that recreates the past and write enough words to recreate the past, you really could imagine that the subject was still alive and bring it to life for readers of your books," she said.

During off hours between speakers, sessions and special committee meetings, attendees could be found sharing thoughts with colleagues in the Idea Lounge, job-hunting in the Career Center, browsing through selections at the AAM bookstore, perusing more than 330 vendor displays in MuseumExpo™ or making sketches and Play-Doh sculptures in the Creativity Room. In addition, many participated in off-site activities, taking tours and enjoying swanky evening events such as Power Up & Party Down at the Chicago Illuminating Company and the "FEAR NO ART" fest at the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Encouraging a visit even farther off-site, Georgianna Contiguglia, former president and CEO of the Colorado Historical Society, was in Chicago along with two costumed blue bears to invite attendees to the 2008 meeting in Denver. Mark your calendars for April 27–May 1 to visit the Mile High City and discuss next year's theme, "Leadership: An Open Mic for New Ideas."—Joelle Seligson

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