Advertisers and sponsors sought for MALHM conference

MALHM is looking for sponsors to expand its annual conference offerings, including (left to right) a bus trip to Itasca State Park for a session on interpretation, an evening mixer for attendees, and a well-known keynote speaker.

For the first time, the Minnesota Alliance of Local History Museums will offer program advertising and event sponsorship for its annual conference.

“We actually had businesses contact us first to find out a way to reach our audience,” said MALHM Treasurer Jill Wohnoutka, who also serves as the conference chair. “We didn’t want to miss out on this opportunity to earn income and grow the conference, so we created ad and sponsorship rates.”

To attract a widely known keynote speaker, MALHM is seeking a $1,000 sponsor. MALHM also would like a $600 sponsor for a half-day event on Tuesday, April 25, the day before the two-day conference (April 26-27) at Chase on the Lake in Walker, MN. Sponsorship benefits include listing in the program and on MALHM website, as well as in the program distributed to attendees and circulated to Minnesota’s 500-plus local history organizations.

If MALHM finds a sponsor, this would be the first time programming would extend beyond the two-day conference.

“With advertising and sponsorship income, we hope to offer more programming and still keep costs affordable for the local history community,” said MALHM President Dustin Heckman.

The MALHM Conference offers two days of sessions for perhaps the lowest price for any professional conferences: just $60 for members and $75 for non-members last year. (This year’s prices have not been set.)

In its inaugural year, advertising rates are relatively low, beginning at just $30 for 1/8 page, to give the small to mid-sized local history organization a cost-effective way to reach colleagues.

To discuss sponsorship opportunities or for more information, contact Coordinator Marci Matson at 612-500-7460.