#MALHM2018 Conference Need-to-Knows

As attendees are preparing for #MALHM2018 in Marshall, here are some important need-to-knows which will make your experience go as smoothly as possible and enjoy the event:

Reference Materials
Conference Program
SMSU Campus Map

Be sure to bring plenty of business cards!  This is a great way to exchange information with colleagues and vendors.  Also, bring them with to conference events so you can register for door prizes!

Post about your conference experience on social media!  Let others know how you are enjoying the conference and what you are learning using the hashtag #MALHM2018.  Be sure to tag MALHM if posting on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.  A Facebook event has been created that will also include information and updates as well.

Tuesday, April 24

Pre-Conference Event at Volstead House:  We have a great pre-conference event planned in Granite Falls!  A bus will be transporting those who have registered for this event from the Ramada Inn at 1 PM.  Please arrive and check-in with Dustin in the hotel lobby between 12:30 and 12:45 pm.  We will begin loading the bus as soon as we are able so that we can depart at 1 pm.

The bus will drop the group off at the Volstead House for a tour of the historic home with the Granite Falls Historical Society.  After the tour, we will take a short walk to City Hall for a group discussion led by Museology on upcoming centennial anniversaries such as Prohibition, the Cooperative Movement, and Women's Suffrage.  These extraordinary events have tremendous potential for local history organizations to development exhibits and related programming to discuss their effects within their communities.  Attendees will then be returned to Marshall around 4 pm to allow folks to check into their hotels and settle in before dinner.

There is still space available for this event.  To register, contact Dustin directly at (612) 500-7460.  Please note, that those who choose to drive themselves to the event, will still need to pay the registration cost.

Informal Mixer at Shay's Restaurant:  If you are looking to gather with your colleagues and catch-up, join us at Shay's Restaurant, directly attached to the Ramada Inn, for an informal gathering beginning at 7 pm.  Enjoy dinner, drinks, and conversation to get your conference experience off on the right foot!

Wednesday, April 25

Conference location and parking:  The conference will take place in the Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) Event Center (building #13 on campus map).  Parking is free in Lot A (area #37) for both days of the conference.  For those staying at the Quality Inn, the Event Center is a short 10 to 15 minute walk.  Anyone staying at the Ramada Inn should add about 5 minutes to that walk in order to cross Highway 19.

Registration:  Registration will begin at 8:30 am outside the main ballroom on the 2nd floor of the Event Center.  Each attendee will receive a name badge with lanyard and print copy of the conference program.

Sessions:  Throughout the day, there will be three session tracks for each breakout slot.  Sessions will begin at 9:15 am and the final set of sessions will begin at 3 pm.  Descriptions of each session for this day are located on pages 6, 7, and 12.

Vendor Hall:  For the first time, MALHM will be hosting a vendor hall during the conference.  A total of 11 vendors (listed on page 4 of conference program) will be available to showcase their products and services to attendees on both days.  The hall will be located outside the main ballroom and be open from 10:30 am to 3 pm each day.

Annual Meeting: The Annual Meeting will occur during lunch on this day.  Attendees will hear updates on MALHM activities as well as elect board members.  To learn more about the Annual Meeting agenda, check out pages 8 to 11.

Dinner on your Own:  Dinner is on your own so be sure to check out local restaurants in Marshall.  For a listing of local options, check out the Marshall Convention & Visitors Bureau website!

Evening Mixer at the Lyon County Historical Society:  Come to network with colleagues at the Lyon County Historical Society from 7 to 9 pm!  Enjoy appetizers and drinks while you explore the museum.

Thursday, April 26

Conference location and parking:  The conference will take place in the Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) Event Center (building #13 on campus map).  Parking is free in Lot A (area #37) for both days of the conference.  For those staying at the Quality Inn, the Event Center is a short 10 to 15 minute walk.  Anyone staying at the Ramada Inn should add about 5 minutes to that walk in order to cross Highway 19.

Registration:  Registration will begin at 8:30 am outside the main ballroom on the 2nd floor of the Event Center.  Each attendee will receive a name badge with lanyard and print copy of the conference program.

Sessions:  Throughout the day, there will be three session tracks for each breakout slot.  Sessions will begin at 9:15 am and the final set of sessions will begin at 3 pm.  Descriptions of each session for this day are located on pages 14, 15, and 18.

Vendor Hall:  For the first time, MALHM will be hosting a vendor hall during the conference.  A total of 11 vendors (listed on page 4 of conference program) will be available to showcase their products and services to attendees on both days.  The hall will be located outside the main ballroom and be open from 10:30 am to 3 pm each day.

Minnesota History and Lifetime Achievement Awards Ceremony: During lunch, we will honor this year's class of Minnesota History and Lifetime Achievement Award winners.  Check out this blog post for more information on each winner.

Keynote Speaker:  Following the award ceremony, our keynote address will be given by historian and author Joseph Amato.  Learn more about Amato with this blog post.

​We are looking forward to seeing all of you in Marshall!