Reposted from Majestic Collaborations

Last Chance: Register for AFTACON Today

We're excited to join more than 900 arts leaders, and administrators and cultural champions will gather in Albuquerque to shape the future of arts and culture. We want to see YOU there! This moment calls for community, creativity, and advocacy. Register for artists, administrators, and advocates from across the nation to learn, strategize, and mobilize at AFTACON.

Thanks to Americans for Arts for contracting Majestic Collaborations into the Preparedness, Response and Community Care Pathway design along with the brilliant Mollie Quinlan-Hayes - Michelle Dobbins --- Tom Clareson

Registration is $100

DEBUTING AT AFTACON 2026

READYWHEN: THE LIGHTS GO OUT

An Arts & Cultural Ecosystem Tabletop Exercise

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Reposted from AMM

Learn something new while you explore the Chicagoland region on pre-conference day

AMM 2026 programming has been designed to help Midwest Museums build capacity, find their peers, gather inspiration, and emerge stronger. Pre-conference tours and workshops are just the beginning - a great way to connect with your peers in a small group setting while you explore, learn, and have a little fun!

Pre-Conference Workshops

Sunday, July 26

Among this year’s peer-to-peer training opportunities are workshops that will help you create and test your emergency plan, learn how volunteer programs can support workforce development, or get expert guidance on NAGPRA. PLUS these programs take place offsite at area museums.

Bridging the Gap: Using Volunteer Programs as Workforce Development (at Jane Addams Hull-House Museum)

Proactive Preservation Part 2: Co-Create and Operationalize Your Museum’s Emergency Plan (at the Chicago Maritime Museum)

Repatriation Strategies for Midwest Museums: NAGPRA and International Approaches (at the Chinese American Museum of Chicago)

What's in store for We Hold These Truths

Join AMM and hundreds of your peers online for Virtual Day on Wednesday, July 22, for a robust day of programming. Virtual Day will feature an opening session titled “Whose Truths?” with a focus on the Chicago Monuments Project. We will virtually visit two Chicagoland museums, chat about hot topics in roundtable discussions, and take part in any of 4 live concurrent virtual sessions - all from the comfort of our homes or offices! In Chicago on July 26-29, you’ll have access to your choice of 50+ sessions, posters and conversation stations presented by your peers, PLUS plenty of time for fellowship and visits to our exhibit hall featuring 40+ providers. This year’s workshops will provide in-depth skill and knowledge building in key areas of need: volunteer workforce development, repatriation, and emergency planning. Central to the experience, of course, is the chance to explore at least a dozen unique Chicagoland museums through virtual tours and in-person programs. You'll see - there's truly a museum to satisfy every interest in Chicago!

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Reposted from Ambient.ai

Ambient.ai

Whitepaper-The Business Case for Agentic Physical Security

What if your security operation could do more with less, not by cutting corners, but by fundamentally changing how threats are detected, triaged, and resolved?

Our new white paper makes the business case for agentic physical security and lays out a practical path to get there.

The white paper covers:

The compounding cost problem most security leaders underestimate
How AI-driven operations reduce false alarms, speed response, and lower liability
Why the shift from reactive to proactive security changes the ROI equation
A 90-day implementation framework designed to prove value fast

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Reposted from ArtSentry

Museums Matter More Than Ever

Museums do far more than preserve artifacts, they help societies understand themselves. In a fast-moving world shaped by constant change, museums provide spaces where people can engage more deeply with history, culture, and the human experience.

3 Security Principles Every Museum Should Prioritize

The best museum security strategies do more than reduce risk. They support smoother operations, stronger visitor engagement, and long-term institutional success. Here are three essential concepts helping institutions improve protection while supporting their mission.

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Reposted from Tim Richardson

Someone Took a Chance on You. Who Are You Going to Encourage?

At some point in your career, someone took a chance on you. Not because you had all the experience. Not because you were the safest choice. But because they saw something others didn’t. Today, that same opportunity is missing for many young professionals trying to get their start.

The challenge:
Take a chance on someone today! At 29 years old, the future felt uncertain. A wedding was approaching. A master’s degree from Florida State University had been completed. A business had been launched. But the speaking engagements weren’t coming fast enough to support the next chapter of life. There was belief in the talent. Others weren’t so sure. In fact, one national seminar company had already decided otherwise. What was needed wasn’t more effort. It was opportunity. It was belief. It was someone willing to take a chance. That someone was Bob Pike CSP, CPAE, CPTD Fellow. Bob built a nationally recognized training organization now called The Bob Pike Group. Bob and was known for his innovative, high-energy, participant-centered approach. Many wanted to work with him. Not everyone got the opportunity. During the training process for a young experienced trainer, one senior trainer questioned whether the potential was there. That opinion eventually changed, but at the time, it could have ended the journey before it began. Instead, Bob chose to invest in a young person high on potential but low on experience. Fast forward to today, and the need for leaders like Bob has never been greater.

Recent data shows:

• Nearly 50% of college graduates are underemployed in their first job after graduation
• More than 60% of employers say graduates lack the “experience” needed for open roles
• Entry-level hiring has slowed significantly, with many organizations expecting “experience” for even junior positions

At the same time, organizations are struggling to find:

• Engaged employees
• Future leaders
• People willing to stay and grow within the company

There’s a disconnect. Young professionals aren’t lacking talent or desire. They’re lacking opportunity, guidance, and someone willing to develop them. Mentorship is not just a “nice to have.” It is a competitive advantage. The best leaders don’t just hire experience. They develop potential. Some of the most successful professionals didn’t start fully formed. They started as:

• Raw talent
• High energy
• Willing learners

What changed their trajectory? Someone paused long enough to notice them. Someone listened. Someone believed. Someone took a chance. In a world moving faster than ever, it’s easy to overlook emerging talent. It’s easier to hire the “safe” candidate. It’s easier to demand experience. It’s easier to move on. But leadership isn’t about doing what’s easiest. It’s about doing what matters. Look around your organization this week.

• Who has the right attitude but lacks experience?
• Who shows potential but hasn’t been given a real opportunity?
• Who reminds you of yourself early in your career?

Then take one simple step: Have a conversation. Offer guidance. Give them a chance to grow. Because the next great leader in your organization may not be the most polished. They may just be waiting for someone to believe in them. Just like Bob Pike did for me many years ago. Happy heavenly 77th birthday, Bob and thank you for believing in me when no one else did.

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Reposted from Zenitel

Zenitel Americas is excited to welcome LAR Rep Group as our new Manufacturer’s Representative for the safety and security market in Mexico and Latin America.
 LAR, with offices in Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, and Argentina, is one of the largest and most recognized sales group in the region. Since 2003, it has represented the best security manufacturers with superior security and safety solutions to Latin America. That initial vision has transformed into a solid, reliable, and constantly growing network.

The LAR team has deep product knowledge of audio solutions, video management systems, CCTV, video analytics, and smoke detectors. Its strong regional presence provides exceptional support to integrators, end users, and distributors. Within Zenitel Americas, LAR will be a key part of its Mexico and Latin America growth strategy for its intelligent critical communication solutions that consist of intercoms, IP speakers, and more that allow people to hear, be heard and be understood, in virtually any environment. 

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Reposted from AAM

Federal funding for museums and cultural institutions remains under threat. As part of AAM’s ongoing advocacy to protect and strengthen funding across agencies and programs, we’ve launched a national community letter to Congressional leadership calling for continued investment in museums.

Over 800 museums, companies, small businesses, and associations have signed on. If you have not yet signed your organization on, please help us reach our goal of 1,000 signatories by Thursday, April 30.

We urge museums of all types, associations, small businesses, and companies that value and engage with museums to sign on. Whether you are part of the field or benefit from it, your organizational voice helps show the broad, nationwide support for museums and the essential role they play in our communities.

Thank you for your advocacy on behalf of the entire museum field.

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Reposted from SEMC

The Southeastern Museums Conference (SEMC) in partnership with the Association of Academic Museums and Galleries (AAMG) returns this spring with the next installment of The Launchpad Series.

We are kicking off the series with a Resume Review designed to help your skills stand out. Whether you are just beginning to build your resume or are simply looking for a fresh update, this is your chance to be paired with a seasoned museum professional for personalized feedback.

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Reposted from AMM

Center—or challenge—your truths. Get creative. Dwell in the possibilities. Emerge stronger.

We’ve been working with our Chicago museum friends to develop a program for #AMM_2026, We Hold These Truths, that features perspectives from nearly 100 different Midwest museums. It's going to be awesome!

This year's conference won't shy away from the struggle. More importantly, it will provide a safe space to lean on and learn from your peers, explore possible solutions to your common challenges, and find a renewed sense of hope (with realism).

Register by July 13 to save on Virtual + In-Person and Virtual + Single Day rates. Check out our registration information page for details on what's included along with FAQs and detailed form instructions.

What's in store for We Hold These Truths

Join AMM and hundreds of your peers online for Virtual Day on Wednesday, July 22, for a robust day of programming. Virtual Day will feature an opening session titled “Whose Truths?” with a focus on the Chicago Monuments Project. We will virtually visit two Chicagoland museums, chat about hot topics in roundtable discussions, and take part in any of 4 live concurrent virtual sessions - all from the comfort of our homes or offices!

In Chicago on July 26-29, you’ll have access to your choice of 50+ sessions, posters and conversation stations presented by your peers, PLUS plenty of time for fellowship and visits to our exhibit hall featuring 40+ providers. This year’s workshops will provide in-depth skill and knowledge building in key areas of need: volunteer workforce development, repatriation, and emergency planning.

Central to the experience, of course, is the chance to explore at least a dozen unique Chicagoland museums through virtual tours and in-person programs. You'll see - there's truly a museum to satisfy every interest in Chicago!

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Reposted from Tim Richardson

Today is Tax Day. And for millions of Americans, it is a race to submit returns just in time. But here is the bigger question:

What happens when we start believing no one is watching?

Recently, The Wall Street Journal highlighted a troubling trend, suggesting that “the IRS isn’t going to catch me” has become a growing mindset in the United States. While I am not a proponent of paying more taxes than I owe, I do believe every American should pay their fair share. That belief traces back to something my father told me when I was young: “If you cheat on the small things, you’ll cheat on the big things.” That principle has stayed with me my entire life, even though I have not always lived up to it. As a teenager working at Publix Super Markets in Florida, I regularly took snack items without paying for them. At the time, it felt insignificant. Years later, it did not. About 15 years ago, I went back to that same store, which was still open. I met with the general manager and handed him $200 in cash to try to make things right. He hesitated to accept it. He told me that my apology was enough and that in 30 years of working in management, no one had ever apologized for stealing. But for me, it was a freeing moment. What seemed like a small mistake from a teenager had stayed with me, and making restitution lifted a weight I did not fully realize I was carrying. Cheating, cutting corners, and bending the rules are not new. But they do feel more normalized today.

In the business world, it shows up in subtle ways:

• Padding expense accounts
• Logging work hours while distracted or disengaged
• Taking company resources for personal use

The common justification? “Everyone does it.” But that does not make it right. Early in my career at IBM, our team went through an internal audit. Instead of approaching it with integrity, we did the opposite.

We laughed as we:

• Created documents that never existed
• Backdated files to match expectations
• Manufactured compliance

At the time, it was dismissed as harmless because it was “internal.” But looking back, it was not harmless at all. It was a clear violation of the standard my father had set:

Cheating is cheating. Leaders set the tone. Employees follow what they see, not just what they are told. When integrity slips in small areas, it creates permission for larger compromises. But the opposite is also true. When you hold yourself to a higher standard, even when no one is watching, you create:

• Trust
• Credibility
• Peace of mind

You sleep better. Just when I thought I had this lesson fully internalized, I was reminded again. Recently, I used an unauthorized image in a blog post and was called out by a copyright enforcement company. I could have justified it. I could have said:

• “Everyone uses images online”
• “I gave credit”
• “What’s the harm?”

But the truth is simple: It was wrong. And no amount of justification changes that. Maybe, like me, you have done something in the past that still lingers. Something small. Something easy to dismiss. But still there. An apology is a good place to start. But whenever possible, making it right is even better. Because integrity is not built in the big moments. It is built in the small ones.

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