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Everything you need to know about attending MA Conference 2026

Essential information for delegates attending MA Conference 2026: Museums Connecting Communities at Birmingham Repertory Theatre and online (2-4 November 2026).

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Overview

  • Conference 2026 will take place at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre and online from Monday 2 to Wednesday 4 November 2026.
  • Conference sessions will run on Tuesday 3 and Wednesday 4 November.
  • Optional tours of venues in and around Birmingham for in-person delegates will take place on Monday 2 November. We will also run three social events on Monday 2, Tuesday 3 and Wednesday 4 November.
  • We will use Swapcard as our online platform and digital app in 2026.
  • Ticket prices and booking forms can be found on our financial information page.
  • In previous years, delegate badges have been sent by post but this year we will be printing badges at the venue. More information will be shared in due course.
  • All delegates will be sent joining information by email about three weeks before the conference, but if you have any questions please contact us at events@museumsassociation.org.

Birmingham Repertory Theatre (the Rep) at a glance

  • The Rep is based at 6 Centenary Square in Birmingham city centre (see Google map) attached to the Library of Birmingham and next door to the ICC and Symphony Hall.
  • The Museums Association has exclusive use of the venue throughout Conference – this includes three large theatres as well as large meeting rooms and networking spaces.
  • Please be aware that there is a Christmas market directly outside the venue (from 1 November 2026). This may mean the square will be busier than usual at peak times.
  • We have produced a visual guide to Conference which includes photographs of the entrance and rooms at the Rep. You can download this as a pdf or a PowerPoint presentation.

Getting to the venue (planes, trains and automobiles)

  • Birmingham International Airport is approximately 15 miles’ drive from the Rep. If you are flying into Birmingham, use the airport link shuttle from the airport to Birmingham International train station, where you can catch a direct train to Birmingham New Street Station.
  • The Rep is one mile from Birmingham’s three main stations – New Street, Snow Hill and Moor Street. Information about each of these stations is available on the National Rail website.
  • We recommend using Google maps to find the best walking route for you from your hotel or station. Let us know if you need help finding the best route for you.
  • There are tram and bus stops directly opposite the venue on Centenary Square. You can plan your journey using West Midlands Metro website.
  • If you are driving, please use the postcode B1 2EP for your sat nav.
  • Please note that there is no onsite parking at the Rep. The nearest car parks are Q-Park Brindleyplace Car Park and Utilita Arena Car Parks. Visit Birmingham’s website provides a map of other car parks in the city centre as well as vehicle hire companies.
  • Parking for Blue Badge holders is available outside Brindley Drive Car Park and Cambridge Street at the rear of the Rep – but please be aware that spaces are extremely limited.
  • The Rep is within Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone. Head to the Brum Breathes website for more information.
  • You can search for electric car parking points via Zap Map.
  • Cycle racks are available in front of Birmingham Library on Centenary Square. For information on cycle routes in the city, visit Cycling in Birmingham.

Taxis in Birmingham

  • The taxi drop-off for the Rep is on Cambridge Street, by the Rep Stage Door. It is a two-minute walk around the building to access the front door.
  • There is a taxi rank at New Street station. Alternatively, Visit Birmingham’s website provides details of private taxi companies. 

Hotels

Book your hotel now via our booking partner.

Accessibility

Below is a non-exhaustive list of what we will offer online and in-person delegates.

  • The Rep provides accessibility guidance on its website. Please note that the venue has step-free access and a lift, and that all rooms include space for wheelchair users.
  • Please see our visual guide to Conference 2026 (download this as a pdf or a PowerPoint presentation) which includes photographs of the session and networking spaces at the Rep as well as photographs of the entrances, and details of the venues we will be using for our evening social events.
  • All sessions will be captioned for in-person and online delegates.
  • Reserved seating in all rooms – signs will be placed at the end of aisles, on the front row and in wheelchair accessible seating. If you want help finding a seat, please let venue staff and volunteers know.
  • A dedicated quiet room for in-person delegates. Please do not use this space for conversations with others or phone calls. If you use electronic equipment, please ensure the volume is turned off or use headphones with the volume turned down to ensure you don’t disturb others. We will provide some fidget toys and colouring sheets in here.
  • A dedicated prayer room for individuals to engage in prayer, reflection or quiet contemplation.
  • There are blocks of male and female toilets on the ground floor and seven individual gender-neutral toilets located on the Mezzanine floor.
  • We welcome assistance dogs at our events – please let us know in advance so we can ensure they are fully accommodated.
  • Speakers are briefed to ensure that slides follow good accessibility guidance, based on advice from VocalEyes.
  • Our Code of Conduct, which was created to ensure our spaces are safe, welcoming and inclusive.
  • Access companion tickets are available free of charge on request.
  • If you require further accommodations, or have any questions about the above, please email events@museumsassociation.org.

Visual guide

Unique Venues Birmingham, which runs the Rep’s venue hire, provides a virtual tour giving you a full 360-degree view of each space.

We have produced a visual guide to Conference which includes photographs of the entrance and rooms at the Rep as well as the venues we will be using for social evening events. You can download this as a pdf or a PowerPoint presentation.

Evening social events

The price of an in-person ticket includes access to our evening social events. There is no need to book these – just turn up. The following information covers getting to venues and accessibility, and we will add more details of what to expect at each party in due course.

Monday 2 November | Opening reception at Thinktank (1800-2000)

Birmingham’s interactive science museum provides the backdrop to our opening party. Thinktank is an awe-inspiring venue where delegates can network with colleagues over a welcome drink.

  • Thinktank is located at Millennium Point, B4 7XG, approximately a 15-minute walk from Birmingham New Street station – use Google Maps to plot your route.
  • There is paid parking and free Blue Badge available nearby, as well as buses and tram routes from Birmingham city centre  – see Thinktank’s website for detailed travel information.
  • The entrance to Thinktank is on the ground floor (level 0) and there are central lifts to all floors as well as stairs.
  • The floor surface of the museum is smooth, plastic coated and non-slip. In some places there are carpet tiles.
  • There are accessible toilets on all levels. The adult changing facility on Level 1 includes a hydraulic changing table (no hoist).
  • Some parts of the museum have low-lighting including the Planetarium and Futures Gallery. Braille signs are used extensively around the museum.
  • Some areas have fixed hearing loops installed.
  • There is seating available in all areas.

You can download a floor plan of the museum, explore a 360-degree tour or read more access information on Thinktank’s website.

Tuesday 3 November | Main party at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery (1830-2000)

After an exhilarating opening day of conference at the Birmingham Rep, head around the corner to the grand Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.

  • Birmingham Museum is located on Chamberlain Square, B3 3DH, approximately a six-minute walk from the Rep – use Google Maps to plot your route.
  • The main entrance on Chamberlain Square contains 10 external steps and an additional 42 steps to reach the galleries.
  • There is a lift entrance at the Gas Hall on Edmund Street, which provides lift access to the main building and Gas Hall. The lift door width is 43” or 109cm.
  • The museum is a historic building with smooth flooring, primarily consisting of Victorian tiles. The galleries are light, airy and spacious.
  • The museum includes a dedicated accessible toilet at the back of the Gas Hall and there is also an accessible toilet near the Edmund Street lift entrance.
  • There is seating throughout the museum.

You can download a floor plan of the museum, its social story (aimed at school groups) or view more detailed access guidance on the museum’s website.

Wednesday 4 November | Closing party at The Exchange (1815-2000)

Our closing party takes place at The Exchange, a former bank now run by the University of Birmingham, opposite the conference venue.

  • The Exchange is located at 3 Centenary Square, B1 2DR, directly opposite the Rep – it’s approximately a one-minute walk and involves crossing a road.
  • There is ramped/sloped and stepped access at the building entrance entrance. Once inside, the area is level with lift and stair access to all floors.
  • There are accessible toilets on all floors, as well as a Changing Places toilet on the basement level.

There is detailed accessibility information about the building on AccessAble.

Catering

  • We will serve coffee/tea with a choice of dairy, soy or oat milk during coffee breaks on Tuesday 3 and Wednesday 4 November.
  • A vegetarian/vegan lunch plus hot drinks will be provided on Tuesday 3 and Wednesday 4 November. A full menu will be confirmed in due course.
  • Delegates with dietary requirements should provide details when booking their place.
  • Food will be served from a catering space within the Rep – delegates can also collect their food from a quieter location on request.
  • Please note that we do not provide food during evening social events or on tours unless otherwise stated.

Sustainability

We are committed to reducing our impact on the environment.

Below is a non-exhaustive list of ways we are working to improve the environmental sustainability of MA Conference 2026.

  • Lunch and any food served at social events will be a mix of vegetarian and vegan food. 
  • Non-dairy milk alternatives are offered during coffee breaks.
  • Delegates are asked to bring their own reusable hot drink cups and water bottles.
  • Tap water will be provided to delegates throughout the event.
  • We provide a digital programme and delegate list and no longer publish printed versions (apart from in cases where delegates with access needs request these).
  • We print badges on sustainable paper. Lanyards are reusable and made from bamboo. We do not provide plastic wallets for badges.
  • We no longer provide delegate bags with printed material inside.
  • We limit the amount of printed signage.
  • We encourage delegates and speakers to travel by public transport where possible.
  • Our hybrid approach to Conference means more people can access the event without the need for travel. We provide international and some UK-based speakers the opportunity to join via Zoom.
  • Museums Association staff travel by train or other modes of public transport whenever possible.
  • The Rep has further sustainability information on its website. Unique Venues Birmingham, which runs the Rep’s venue hire, also provides sustainability information on its website.

Swapcard (conference app)

  • This is a hybrid event (in-person and online) and we are using the Swapcard platform to host our conference programme, delegate list and stream some sessions to online delegates.
  • Swapcard is available to use both in your internet browser and on smartphones via the MA’s conference app, which you’ll be able to download shortly before conference from the iOS App Store or the Google Play store depending on your device.
  • All delegates need to create an account on Swapcard to access streamed sessions, the online programme and delegate list. You will be sent details of how to do this as part of your delegate joining instructions shortly before conference – please note the email will come from events@museumsassociation.org.
  • When requesting a magic login link or other account functions from the app, emails you receive will come from noreply@swapcard.com. Please be sure to whitelist this email address and check your junk or spam folder if you’re expecting an email and can’t find it in your inbox.

Online delegates

  • Some sessions will be streamed and will be marked on the website programme as “all attendees welcome”.
  • Recordings of the streamed sessions will be available after the conference via the MA website – please note that you can only watch streamed sessions live via Swapcard, and they will not be available for immediate playback during conference.
  • Swapcard provides a chat function that online delegates can use to ask questions to speakers and chat to each other.

Discover

MA Conference

Conference 2026: Museums Connecting Communities

Come to conference to be part of the conversation and leave with…  inspiration – from movers and shakers, leaders and innovators  motivation – to put into practice what you learn from your peers  knowledge – to take back and apply to your work  contacts – build your network to continue sharing ideas long after the event has finished.  Conference is for and …

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