Schedule

2026 AMMC Los Angeles Preliminary Program Book [last updated 7/13/26]

We hope your travel plans include some time to explore Los Angeles.

MONDAY KEYNOTE | Join or Die: Membership, Democracy, & the Fate of America

“Everything that reflects our connections with other people is declining… In barely a couple of decades, half of America’s civic infrastructure simply vanished. It’s equivalent to saying: Half of all the roads in America just disappeared!”
— Robert Putnam, Join or Die

Kick off the conference with Rebecca Davis and Pete Davis, the co-directors of the Emmy-nominated Netflix documentary, Join or Die, for a dynamic and interactive exploration of the ideas explored in the film.

Join or Die follows the half-century story of America’s civic unraveling through the journey of legendary social scientist Robert Putnam, whose groundbreaking “Bowling Alone” research into America’s decades-long decline in community connections could hold the answers to our democracy’s present crisis. In the film, Bob explores three urgent civic questions: What makes democracy work? Why is American democracy in crisis? And, most importantly…What can we do about it?

As membership professionals, we understand the importance of community. But, do we understand how transformational our roles and membership programs can truly be and indeed how imperative the work we do day after day to grow and steward our communities is to the future of our country? Together, we will discover how the work we do every day as a membership leader is more than just important – it is imperative!

Learn more about the film and how to view it at JoinOrDieFilm.com

TUESDAY KEYNOTE | Creating Community through Engagements and Shared Experiences

Even though the Covid pandemic is distant in our rearview mirror, one of the most significant complaints people have is that they feel disconnected from each other. Many of the traditional places people gathered including theaters, museums, restaurants, and religious institutions never fully recovered from the lockdown. The decrease in engagement with these cultural institutions is directly related to this feeling of disconnection. Museums can play a significant role in reversing this trend. During this session, we will explore the types of relationships people engage in and their relationship to a sense of community. Then, we will explore ways that we can entice people out of their houses to re-engage with our institutions. Ultimately, what is good for museums is also healing for the country.

Art Markman, PhD is the Chief Learning Officer of Minerva Project and Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. Art spent nearly 35 years in higher education as a faculty member and researcher before his move to Minerva Project where he focuses on transforming the teaching mission of higher education. As a researcher, Art wrote over 150 papers on topics including reasoning, decision making, and motivation. He brings insights from cognitive science to a broader audience through his blogs at Psychology Today and Fast Company as well as his radio show/podcast Two Guys on Your Head. Art has written several books including Smart Thinking, Smart Change, Brain Briefs, and Bring Your Brain to Work.

WEDNESDAY KEYNOTE | A LACMA Case Study: Membership’s Role During Transformational Change

During major institutional moments, membership teams are often the first to develop content, messaging, and engagement strategies that significantly impact attendance, revenue, and long-term loyalty. In spring 2026, LACMA celebrated the return of its permanent collection in a new building designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Peter Zumthor. In this general session, hear how LACMA’s membership team created buzz ahead of the grand opening through bold campaigns, early sneak previews (No art on the walls? No problem!), and innovative programs highlighting a groundbreaking new curatorial approach to displaying an encyclopedic collection. Learn how member feedback informed evolving programming and shaped inclusive new membership products, how membership messaging influenced broader institutional marketing efforts, and more.

Panelists:
Jennifer Jordan, Senior Director, Membership, LACMA
Doug Leonhardt, Associate Vice President, Membership & Visitor Services, LACMA
Gladys Quintero, Assistant Director, Membership, LACMA

THURSDAY KEYNOTE | That's a Wrap: Reflections and the Road Ahead

As the conference draws to a close, join a panel of experienced, mid-career, and emerging membership professionals for a reflection and Q&A on the week's most compelling conversations and share the trends, challenges, and breakthroughs shaping today's membership programs. Drawing on insights from sessions, hallway conversations, and their own experiences, while fielding questions in real time, panelists will engage in candid conversations on the strategies worth keeping, the methods ready for a fresh lens, and what it truly means to re/focus and stay relevant in a changing landscape. Attendees are invited to submit questions through the conference app or ask live — bring what's been on your mind all week and leave with clarity, fresh perspective, and a renewed sense of what's possible for your program.

Moderator
Mindee Kashiwagi, Director of Membership, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy

Panelists
Jeremy Hamilton-Arnold, Senior Manager, Membership, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Cari Maslow, Interim Vice President, Annual Giving & Development Services, National Trust for Historic Preservation
Clare Schuett-Hall, Membership Manager, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy
Marysa Torres, Associate Director of Membership, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco

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