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Frequently Asked Questions

Registration for Museums Advocacy Day 2024 is now closed. 


TRAVEL INFORMATION

Find additional information about travel in the Washington, DC area: 

WMATA’s website has information on bus routes, train stations, schedules, fares, and SmarTrip cards. 
DC Circulator bus (note that as of February 16, they will re-route service entering Union Station.)

What luggage storage options are available on February 27?

Some third party luggage service providers may be available, and should be booked online in advance. LuggageHero has several locations that may be suitable depending on your needs, and Vertoe Luggage Storage has one location near U Street. 

Luggage storage is not available at the United Methodist Building, which has space open for advocates on February 27, 10 am - 4 pm who need a break or are in between their meetings. 

More information is available below about visiting Capitol Hill on Tuesday, February 27 for Congressional visits.

ATTENDEE INFORMATION, RESOURCES, AND WHAT TO EXPECT:

How do I access participant-only materials?
Access the Museums Advocacy Day Attendee Event Center with the password that was emailed to you. Find more information here.

What recorded / on-demand programming is available, and what does it cover?

In the Museums Advocacy Day Event Center, attendees will find pre-recorded on demand programs and advocacy trainings to help them prepare. Programs range in length and depth from a brief video of a mock Congressional visit (great for those who are looking for basics) all the way to in-depth trainings on storytelling for advocacy, public policy issues, using data to make the case for museums, and more.

Who should attend?

Museum professionals, independent professionals, and advocates, including museum studies and related students, who work for and with the museum field, are encouraged to attend, at any stage of your career and in any role at your museum. Museum board members and trustees are also highly encouraged to participate.

See AAM’s Trustee Resource Center to learn more about engaging your board in advocacy.

What can I expect leading up to Museums Advocacy Day 2024, and how can I prepare?

At any time, you can access our breadth of Advocacy and Advocate from Anywhere resources to learn about your legislators, deepen your own advocacy skills, and engage in year-round advocacy for museums.

In the weeks leading up to Museums Advocacy Day 2024, we will share additional information via email with registered attendees to prepare for Museums Advocacy Day 2024 by helping you learn about your legislators, the legislative process, issues affecting museums, and advocacy tips and best practices. Stay tuned for further details. Important note: In order to receive our updates, please ensure you are subscribed to AAM emails by filling out this form (it will notify you if you are already subscribed), and, if you haven’t already done so, add communications@aam-us.org to your Safe Senders list and contacts.

What can I expect during Museums Advocacy Day, how does the overall event go, and what’s included?

Registration for Museums Advocacy Day includes access to all Museums Advocacy Day programming and events. Museums Advocacy Day 2024 takes place in Washington, D.C. Monday, Feb. 26 includes a day of advocacy and policy sessions, several opportunities for participants to network, and time dedicated to advocates gathering by state and region to plan and prepare for Tuesday Congressional meetings. Monday programming includes a light breakfast, full lunch, and water, coffee and tea service. Tuesday, Feb. 27 (breakfast and lunch on your own) includes your scheduled Congressional meetings and the Tuesday evening Congressional Reception. Registered attendees will be able to check-in and receive their Museums Advocacy Day badges at the Washington Plaza Hotel beginning on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 25, when there will also be a Sunday evening (i.e. 5 p.m.) welcome reception for registered attendees.

Registered participants will be made aware of any available pre-event materials and content via the email included when you registered for Museums Advocacy Day. As is also noted within the online registration, all Museums Advocacy Day registrants participating in Tuesday Congressional meetings are expected to participate in Monday programming in order to be fully prepared for Tuesday meetings.
 

How will I be able to prepare for my scheduled Congressional meetings?

The programming, as well as the information and resources emailed to registrants, will provide the essentials to help you and fellow advocates from your state or region prepare for your meetings. Additionally, the Monday, February 26 program includes state delegation coordination time to convene with fellow advocates from your state or region to plan, prepare, and practice for your Congressional meetings. Many state and regional museum associations also actively participate in Museums Advocacy Day, several working with the registered advocates from their state or region, prior to Museums Advocacy Day, to further coordinate and prepare for Congressional meetings across the delegation. You may receive communication from a state or regional association sharing information and the invitation to participate in pre-event sessions held and organized by them for this purpose.
 

Where do I find “Leave Behind” materials?

  • As noted in participant communications, pre-printed Leave Behind materials will not be available on-site. In alignment with current office preferences and to help reduce waste, Leave Behind materials including Issues at a Glance, Issue Briefs, Museum Facts, Museums and Economic Engagement national and state data, Museums and Public Opinion data, and Dear Colleague letter material will be available electronically through the Event Center and the AdvocacyDay App / Congressional Meeting Web Portal. These materials will be sent ahead to congressional offices by the scheduling team with meeting confirmations, and can be shared electronically by advocates in meeting follow-up. You are encouraged to print and bring copies of materials you would like to bring on your visits.

How do Congressional meetings go, what can I expect?

  • Advocates participating in Feb. 27 congressional meetings are being grouped with fellow advocates from your state and congressional district and matched to congressional visits based on the address and other information provided when you registered for Museums Advocacy Day. In some cases an advocate may be making visits in more than one state, in some states or congressional districts there may be delegations of one. Scheduling is a very fluid process and will be ongoing until the time of Museums Advocacy Day. Advocates participating in congressional meetings should be prepared to be flexible, polite, and positive when moving around Capitol Hill and meeting with congressional offices.

  • One or more staff may join your meetings, meetings may range in length from 10-30 minutes, and may take place in individual offices, conference rooms, common office spaces, or even hallways. Meetings should generally include introductions, exchanging business cards, sharing relevant stories, making the field-wide asks, engaging with legislators and staff (not just talking at them!), and building rapport.

  • Always thank legislators and staff for any ways they have previously supported museums or your museum and for their time meeting with you. Meeting follow-up is a valuable way to cover any information that was not able to be raised during a meeting. You can find a template thank you message within the AdvocacyDay App / Congressional Meeting Web Portal.

When will my Congressional meeting schedule information be available?

The Alliance is arranging your Congressional meetings on Capitol Hill for you based on the information you provided during registration, including grouping you with any fellow advocates from your state or congressional district. Access to your Congressional meetings schedule will be emailed to you prior to Museums Advocacy Day 2024 and will be available via electronic format as any updates are made. As is also noted within the online registration, all registrants participating in Tuesday Feb. 27 Congressional meetings are expected to be available for and participate in Congressional meetings that you are scheduled for from 9am – 6pm (ET) on Feb. 27.

On the day of your meetings:

  • Access Support through the Congressional Meeting Web Portal Advocacy Day App if you encounter any issues with meetings on the day of.
  • If you’re running late or encountering other issues impacting a Congressional visit, contact any Congressional office via the US Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121.

Questions about your Congressional Meetings?

If you are participating in Congressional meetings, you will receive access to the Congressional Meeting Web Portal App in February. Your schedule and your unique access information for the portal arrives via email from advocacyday@advocacyassociates.com. Be sure to view your schedule and check your spam or junk folders for access email if needed.

The portal will give you access to:

  • Find your latest meeting schedule and office information for your Congressional meetings
  • See meeting information and fellow advocates in your meetings
  • Digital versions of Capitol Hill Leave Behind 2024

If you have questions about the Congressional Meetings Web Portal or your Congressional Meetings schedule, please contact the meeting scheduling team at museums@advocacyday.com.

Where do I go on Capitol Hill?

Refer to your schedule provided in the Congressional Meeting Web Portal App in February (see previous question). You may find this map of Capitol Hill useful.

Additional information about visiting Capitol Hill:

  • Security is high across Capitol Hill. Carry your photo ID with you at all times during Museums Advocacy Day and be prepared for Capitol Hill security checks when you enter legislative office buildings and the Library of Congress. Plan to build time into your schedule for getting through security. The less metal you wear, the easier it will be to get through security. Review items that are prohibited in the Capitol Visitors Center (CVC).
  • D.C.'s weather can vary day-to-day. Check the forecast pack accordingly—and wear comfortable shoes!
  • Bring lots of business cards to share and leave with Congressional offices.
  • Don't forget your cell phone charger, or external battery if you've got one.

If you have questions about your participation in Museums Advocacy Day or the resources available in the Event Center, please contact AAM staff at museumsadvocacyday@aam-us.org.
 

REGISTRATION 

I’m not seeing the member rate but think I am a member. What should I do?

Individual membership status and your organization’s membership status can be verified by logging in to view your profile. If you need additional assistance regarding your membership contact our membership team by email at membership@aam-us.org.

If your membership is not active, become an AAM member today or renew your membership.

I registered but am no longer able to attend.

Below is the cancellations and substitutions policy for Museums Advocacy Day 2024:

All cancellation requests must be made via e-mail museumsadvocacyday@aam-us.org. The Alliance is not responsible for cancellation or transfer requests that are incomplete or are not received. Cancellation requests received on or before January 19, 2024, will receive a refund minus a $25.00 administration fee. The $25.00 administration fee covers the cost of processing cancellations. Refund requests received on or after January 20, 2024, are not guaranteed.

If you become unable to participate in Museums Advocacy Day 2024, please notify AAM as soon as possible, especially so we are aware of impacts to Congressional meetings being scheduled by AAM. Substitutions may be accepted as is feasible. Registrants who are no longer able to attend Museums Advocacy Day may request a substitution by submitting their request in writing email museumsadvocacyday@aam-us.org.

I have a question about registration options, a technical issue, or need more information.
Contact our team at museumsadvocacyday@aam-us.org.