About the Conference
October 22–24, 2024
Lawrence, Kansas
Join us this fall for MCN 2024, hosted in partnership with the Spencer Museum of Art at the University of Kansas, as we bring together cultural heritage professionals from museums and historic sites from North America and beyond. Following the success of last year’s conference, MCN 2024 provides an engaging space for museum professionals to connect, share knowledge, and explore the latest advancements in digital technologies for museums.
This year you can expect:
- Two days of insightful sessions ranging from technical deep dives to illuminating case studies.
- Networking opportunities to connect with colleagues and build lasting relationships.
- An evening reception, museum tours, and our signature event, Ignite!
If you have any conference questions, please reach out to us at [email protected]. We look forward to seeing you at MCN 2024!
Conference Registration
Early Bird Registration
Take advantage of our discounted early bird rates available until August 19, 2024. Don’t miss this opportunity to save on your registration fees.
Small Organization Discount
Making the conference more accessible to a wide range of organizations is crucial to the mission of MCN. Smaller organizations often have limited resources for professional development, yet their contributions to the muse-tech landscape are invaluable. We are offering a discounted ticket for members of small organizations: non-profit institutions with annual operating budgets of less than $10M or for-profit organizations with fewer than five employees.
Student Discount
There are a limited number of reduced-rate tickets for students enrolled in accredited institutions of higher learning. Please email [email protected] for additional details.
Conference Program
Program highlights:
- Two days of insightful sessions ranging from technical deep dives to illuminating case studies.
- A strolling evening reception with stops at the Spencer Museum of Art and KU Natural History Museum.
- Networking opportunities to meet colleagues and build lasting relationships, including two speed networking sessions
- An unforgettable Ignite Reception at Abe & Jake’s Landing.
BIPOC Speakers Fund
We are once again organizing a BIPOC speakers fund to increase the engagement of BIPOC people in our conference. Providing a platform for a diverse range of speakers will make for a better conference for everyone.
With registration, you have the option to donate toward this special fund that will be equally distributed among self-identified, self-nominated BIPOC conference speakers. We aim to provide a minimum of $200 per applicant, as a small support toward covering costs of attending the conference. We welcome your contribution in any amount toward this goal—if we surpass it, the speakers will receive even more support. Whatever your contribution, thank you.
A few MCN Board members will be the sole administrators of the fund. All BIPOC speakers are encouraged to apply. You need to be an accepted speaker of MCN 2024, but you will not be asked for verification nor announced publicly. Applications are now open.
Conference Location
We’re excited to be holding the MCN conference in Kansas for the first time! The conference is hosted in partnership with the Spencer Museum of Art, located on the University of Kansas Lawrence campus. With a global collection of more than 48,000 works, the Spencer is a vibrant forum for object-centered research and teaching, creative work, and transformative public dialogue.
Further details about the venue and travel suggestions will be provided in the coming weeks. For questions, please contact [email protected].
Where to Stay
MCN has negotiated a discounted overnight room rate at a number of hotels near the University of Kansas. Be sure to book your hotel early and mention MCN to receive the discounted rate.
Springhill Suites
1 Riverfront Plaza
Lawrence, KS 66044
Booking Link
MCN Rate: $107/per night plus tax
Cut-Off Date: September 22, 2024
Hampton Inn Lawrence
2300 W 6th Street
Lawrence, KS 66049
Booking Link
MCN Rate: $90/per night plus tax
Cut-Off Date: Thursday, October 2, 2024
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson
2176 E 23rd Street
Lawrence, KS 66046
Booking Link
MCN Rate: $107/per night plus tax
Cut-Off Date: September 22, 2024
StoneHill Trademark Collection by Wyndham
6101 Rock Chalk Drive
Lawrence, KS 66049
Booking Link
MCN Rate: $84/per night plus tax
In addition to the hotels offering special rates that are listed above, MCN also recommends:
The Oread Lawrence
1200 Oread Ave
Lawrence, KS 66044
Booking Link
While The Oread does not offer a special MCN rate, it is the closest hotel to the conference activities.
Getting to Lawrence
Lawrence is conveniently located about 40 miles west of Kansas City. For air travelers, the nearest airport is Kansas City International Airport (MCI), which offers many nonstop flights nationwide. The drive from MCI to Lawrence takes roughly 50 minutes by car.
Ground transportation options from MCI to Lawrence include:
- Car Rentals: Most major car rental companies operate out of MCI.
- Shuttle Services: Consider shuttle options like 5 Guys Transportation or BATS.
- Ride-Sharing: Uber and Lyft are also available.
We encourage you to use MCN’s Slack channel to coordinate ride-sharing with fellow attendees.Additionally, Lawrence is served by Amtrak’s Southwest Chief line, providing an alternative travel option.
Support MCN 2024
Could you or your business help support our vibrant muse-tech community? Much of our strength comes from the diverse range of museum and commercial professionals in our community—help us foster even closer ties. Learn more about becoming a Community Partner by emailing [email protected].
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