What is "Museums Advocacy Day"?
Who can participate?
How do I register?
Is there a Headquarters Hotel?
What is the program/agenda?
How can my organization get involved?
Local Travel Information
Advocacy and Lobbying: Can I participate?

What is "Museums Advocacy Day"?
Museums Advocacy Day is an opportunity to bring our message of the value of museums to Capitol Hill, and to advocate for policy issues that affect our field.  It is important that Members of Congress and their staff hear a unified message from the field on issues that matter to museums, such as: federal funding for agencies that support museums, reauthorization of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), education policy (including the impact of No Child Left Behind on museums), nonprofit tax-exempt status, intellectual property, charitable giving, historical preservation and repatriation among others.  We will be most successful when we speak with one voice for a common agenda. 

Museums Advocacy Day is also an opportunity to learn the most effective ways to engage those who represent you in Washington , DC on a regular basis.  You will learn how to use facts and figures to make the case for federal funding for museums, how to handle visits with elected officials, how to work with your legislators' state, district and Capitol Hill offices, how to include your Members of Congress in your museums' programs and how your museum can participate in civic activities in your community.

Who can participate?
The entire museum field is welcome to participate:  staff, volunteers, trustees, students, or even museum enthusiasts.   Registration is required, but free.

How do I register?
There are three easy ways to register:

• You can register online here
• Call (202) 218-7703
• Download a registration form and fax it to (202) 289-6578

Is there a Headquarters Hotel?
The headquarters hotel for Museums Advocacy Day is the Washington Marriott, 1221 22 nd Street, NW, in Washington, DC .  Please call 800-228-9290 or 202-872-1500 and ask for the special American Association of Museums rate ($224 per night).

What is the program/agenda?

• Sunday, February 22 will feature optional tours of local museums, to be arranged.
  
  
• Monday, February 23 will include a full day of advocacy training and issue briefings, starting at 9am at the Washington Marriott.  This will include an overview of the legislative agenda, insights from political insiders, a representative of the new administration (invited) to discuss the political landscape and how museums can work with the new administration, practical information and tips on having successful meetings on Capitol Hill, and training on how to take your advocacy beyond Washington, DC to be a year-round advocate for museums. In addition, several federal agencies have asked for space to make grant officers available to answer your questions.  In the evening, the U.S. Botanic Garden will be our host for a Congressional reception honoring Members of Congress (TBD).
  
  
• Tuesday, February 24 will begin on Capitol Hill with a Congressional Breakfast where Members of Congress will be invited to join us and make brief remarks. Following breakfast, we will begin our coordinated meetings on Capitol Hill. AAM will be arranging all meetings for participants in advance, matching each participant with their elected Members of Congress.  Please note that meetings may be scheduled for as late as 4:00 or 5:00 PM in the day based on Members' schedules, so please plan accordingly.

How can my organization get involved?
Regional associations, state associations, and national affiliate organizations are invited to join us as a Partnering Organization. As a Partnering Organization, your organization will be featured prominently in Museums Advocacy Day materials and will have a chance to contribute to AAM's legislative agenda and the Museums Advocacy Day program.  We ask that either you or a representative from your organization participate in Museums Advocacy Day and that you help publicize the event to your membership and recruit participants for Museums Advocacy Day.  Please return this form to ensure your organization will be listed as a Partnering Organization in Museums Advocacy Day printed materials.  Again - there is no fee requested of Partnering Organizations - just your commitment to making Museums Advocacy Day a success!

Local Travel Information

Headquarters Hotel
Washington Marriott
1221 22 nd Street, NW
Washington, DC. 

Please call 800-228-9290 or 202-872-1500 and ask for the special American Association of Museums rate ($224 per night). Book now - this rate is only available until January 26 2009!

Maps & Directions

Airport Information

There are three airports that serve the Washington, DC area.

• Reagan National Airport
  Reagan National Airport is located just outside Washington, DC in Arlington, VA. Ground transportation options include taxi, Super Shuttle and on-site Metro access. Taxis are available outside of baggage claim on the lower level (fare approximately $15-$20 one way). Learn more here.
  
  
• Dulles International Airport
  Dulles International Airport is located near Washington, DC in Chantilly, VA. Ground transportation options include taxi, Super Shuttle and connections to Metro. Taxis are available outside of baggage claim on the lower level (fare approximately $50-$60 one way). Learn more here.
  
  
• Baltimore/Washington International Airport
  Baltimore Washington International Airport is located just outside of Baltimore, Maryland. Multiple ground transportation options include Super Shuttle, commuter train, Metro bus and Metrorail service to Washington, DC and taxi (fare approximately $90 one way). Find additional detailed information under the Ground Transportation section of the BWI website.
  

Amtrak
Amtrak serves the Washington, DC area as well. Check schedules and book your reservation here.

Metro
The Washington, DC metro system is extensive and will be the mode of travel between the headquarters hotel and Capitol Hill during Museums Advocacy Day. Find interactive neighborhood and system maps on the Metro website.

Advocacy and Lobbying:  Can I participate?
You may be wondering if you can participate in this event if you work for a nonprofit organization.  In fact, you can!  Learn more here.