top of page

Call for Proposals (CFPs)

Call for Posters - NEW!

Deadline: February 12, 2025

Call for Posters PDF

​

MALHM is excited to announce its first-ever Poster Session during Pre-Conference events (Tuesday, April 22, 2025) at the Maplewood Area Historical Society!

​

A shorter, more informal alternative to full conference presentations, the Poster Session is perfect for visually-focused or in progress projects. Poster presenters can expect to share their work through one-on-one conversations with fellow attendees. This session format may also be useful for those seeking advice or feedback. 

​

When is the Poster Session?

The Poster Session will be held during the Pre-Conference event on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 from approximately 11:45 AM-12:30 PM at the Maplewood Area Historical Society. Set-up will start roughly half an hour before the Poster Session formally begins.

​

Submission Process

Please fill out this Google form. In addition to contact information and a brief (~350 word) summary, you will also be asked to provide a rough visual mock-up of your poster.

​

Proposal Deadline

Poster proposals are due by February 12, 2025. You'll receive notification about your proposal by the end of February.

​

Evaluation

As this is the first year, poster proposals will be informally evaluated. If there is adequate space and the proposal is related to a relevant topic (museums, public history, etc.) with no major issues or errors, it will likely be accepted. 

​

Questions?

Please email Alliance Coordinator Liz Koele at liz@mnhistoryalliance.org.

​

Guidelines for Posters

Dimensions

To keep things fair (and ensure we have enough space), please keep posters at 36" x 48" or smaller.

​

Materials

You can use materials like paper (laminated, poster paper, etc.) or cardboard. You're also welcome to use trifold boards, but please indicate you need table space in the "Equipment Needs" question on the Google form. MALHM will provide supportive cardboard and binder clips for those who request easels.

​

Design Tips

  • Pick a title to catch attention

  • Think like a mini-exhibit!

    • Keep text brief and make sure it's large enough to be easily read from a distance​

    • Use images & design to illustrate your content and bring everything together

  • Print out text– don't hand letter

  • Caption/credit photos, especially those that don't belong to you

​

For more tips, check out this article from the Western Museum Association.

​

Presenting

  • Limit yourself to one or two presenters when submitting your proposal

  • Stand near or besides your poster and welcome those who come up to your work

  • Ask if they'd like you to walk them through it and give an introduction or "elevator pitch" of your poster's contents– this shouldn't be longer than a minute or two

  • Practice your "pitch" if you're nervous!

  • Be ready for questions and feedback– posters are usually meant to spark further conversations

​

Handouts

Handouts can be a great addition to your poster & presentation, even if it's just a business card or contact info for those who want to keep in touch!

​

Printing

When printing your poster or materials for it, make sure your text and images are large enough that they don't turn out fuzzy. If you're looking to print the entire poster, local printing services can help you out– Office Max, Staples, local shops, etc.

​

Room of people sitting at tables facing a screen and two presenters.
A close-up of a tub filled with water and historic photographs, a room of people at desks facing a screen in background

Session Proposal FAQ

When will presenters be notified?

Each proposal submitter, regardless of the Program Committee's decision to accept or not accept a proposal, will be notified via email on or by December 11, 2024.​​

​

Is conference registration required for presenters and panelists?

If the presenter or panelist is only attending their session, then no registration is required.​

​

If the presenter or panelist plans to attend other sessions or activities at the conference, then they will need to register for the conference. This is a great way to learn from and network with your peers!

​

What can and will be provided by MALHM in each session?

MALHM will provide a microphone, lectern, projector, screen, remote for slide progressions, and laptop (Windows operating system) for each session.​

​

Presenters or panelists will be required to use the provided A/V and computer equipment in order to record the session, avoid any unforeseen problems or delays. 

​

What do I need to provide as a presenter or panelist?

Bring your presentation on a flash drive (rather than downloading from Google Drive or Dropbox) and any other handouts or business cards for attendees. Also, consider bringing a printed version of your presentation in the event of any A/V problems.​

​

Do I have to provide handouts for my session?

No, but attendees frequently request them. Digital copies will be made available to all conference attendees via Google Drive.​

​

Does MALHM record sessions?

Yes, MALHM records each session. By submitting a proposal, you are granting MALHM permission to record your session. This allows us to provide educational material through our member resource library, as well as marketing material for future events and promotion. On the proposal form, there is an opt out option of having the session recorded. This is the only opportunity for a presenter to do so.​

​

What happens if the focus/content of my session change or the panelists change between the submission date and the conference? Can I change that information?

A session description, session title, or list of presenters and their affiliations may be changed for inclusion on conference materials by Friday, March 28, 2025. Any changes should be sent to the Alliance Coordinator via email at liz@mnhistoryalliance.org

Session Ideas

General

  • DEIA training

  • Building local community partnerships

  • How to say no

Following the 2024 Conference, attendees were asked to share some of their most pressing training needs.

Here are some session ideas as you begin brainstorming:

Collections & Exhibits

  • How to do displays and simple exhibit fabrication

  • Implementing interactives

  • Accessioning basics (systems, policies, etc.)

  • Hands-on collection care & emergency training

  • Digitization basics & best practices

Education & Outreach

  • How to find and organize volunteers

  • Interpreting for different audiences (children, teenagers, adults, etc.)

  • Field trip development

  • Training with living history

Organizational Leadership & Development

  • Endowment how-to's

  • Fundraising techniques

  • Nonprofit management basics

  • Grant writing

  • Grant sources (especially outside MNHS)

  • Board engagement & retention

  • Bookkeeping

  • Obtaining (and retaining) new members

Social Media & Marketing

  • Museum software basics

  • Creating Powerpoints/presentations

  • Strategies for reaching younger audiences

  • Gift shop product ideas

Historic Preservation & Building Maintenance

  • Historic building management

  • Exterior restoration project examples (completed preferred)

  • Fire extinguisher training

bottom of page