Over the last few days, we’ve seen a couple of tweets about the number of MCN sponsor emails landing in your inbox. This might be a little surprising to those new to the conference, so I thought I’d try to clear things up a bit.
Expanding strategic partnerships that include opportunities for sponsors is a core goal of MCN’s current Strategic Plan. Commercial partners are intrinsic to the fabric of our community: they bring tremendous innovation to the museum sector, and without their support, the annual conference just would not be possible. This year, we’re introducing new ways for sponsors to share their insights and actively participate in the conversation at the conference: “Partners in Conversation” is a new conference program series in which vendors partner with a museum for a conversation on a current museum technology topic; our “Market Trends” sponsor will partner with MCN to develop and co-present an annual survey that will provide market intelligence to our sector; and we will be hosting our first “Birds of a Feather SIGs Breakfast”, a one-hour event giving vendors an opportunity to have a conversation with members of Special Interest Groups around topics relevant to their respective practice area.
As a result of this new approach, we’ve broadened the pool of commercial vendors that we typically target and have secured a record number of sponsors and exhibitors for the 2016 annual conference: 26 in total, 13 of which are brand new to MCN! We also decided to share attendees’ emails with all of our sponsors and exhibitors ahead of the conference: we believe this will benefit everyone. We have updated our Privacy Policy to reflect this change.
We realize the last thing many of us wish is a few more emails in our inbox; just know that these emails are legitimate communications from vendors that are excited to attend next week’s conference, share their presence with you, and look forward to making new connections with all of us.
MCN is grateful for the support of our 2016 sponsors. Please make sure to stop by to meet them in the Sponsor Hall during the conference. In the meantime, safe travels, and see y’all next week in New Orleans.
Eric Longo
Executive Director
MCN