Vox pop

“For me, a great conference session should be unexpected; it should be outside the norm of a chair and three panel members. My favourite session at last year’s conference was based on the Dragon’s Den format; engaging and fun to watch, yet talking about serious issues museums face such as under-2s provision.

A good session should be a mix of the formal and the informal where smaller group discussions offer the chance to network. I like to feel I have taken something away such as a new idea or a contact.

An interesting session often means hearing from people outside the sector who can offer fresh approaches and new ways of working, especially if they can connect with you on a personal level. That is what makes a session really memorable.”


“A great museum conference session thinks big. Big on vision. Big on the little details of event planning. It is easy to find, welcoming, easy to hear.

There’s time before and after to chat, drink coffee, think, email work, call home, go to the loo. A great session is full of ideas, entertaining, uncompromising, provocative.

It looks outside the sector for opinion and perspectives. Honest debate is gold. Insider secrets are invaluable. Success stories are good, but case studies which admit failure and give tips on what to avoid are better.

A great session makes connections you haven’t previously considered, reaches unexpected conclusions. You leave with more energy than you went in with – and with a usefully sized conference goody bag.”


“A great conference session is perfectly planned, provocative and participatory. Start by creating an informal space and provide a friendly welcome. Make your session active with a chance for people to move around the room, have a go at something and encourage use of their ‘right’ brain.

It’s important for a good session to have a really strong ‘big idea’ at its heart – something that will get people’s attention, motivate them to get involved, share their experiences and stimulate debate.

You also need a really clear idea of what you want delegates to get out of the session – new ideas, inspiration, information, new contacts, space to think and talk, practical guidance – or a combination of all of the above.”


“Firstly it’s got to be about museums, but no navel gazing! Secondly it needs to either take the audience on a journey or to allow the audience to go on their own journey.

It might be a traditional narrative with a beginning, middle and an end, or it might be a series of thoughts that allow people to develop their own views and ideas. It needs to have something new –not just ‘what I did on my holidays’ please.

Finally it needs that ‘little bit of pixie dust’ the ‘little touch of star quality’ whether in the speaker or the presentation which makes it memorable.

I’d encourage anyone planning to propose a session to think of including presenters both from outside the museum sector and international speakers, and to think of including practitioner, commentator, and academic and service users’ views. Oh, and can we have a bit of passion, please?”