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• Museum Tech Talk - Outlook

  • When
    25 Feb 2026
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Zoom

  We’re excited to launch a brand‑new learning series designed to make everyday tech feel friendlier, easier, and more empowering for museum professionals across Illinois. Join us for the very first session of Museum Tech Talk, where we’ll dive into simple Outlook tips and tricks that can make your day run smoother.

  
  

  This kickoff session is perfect for:

  • Anyone still getting comfortable with Outlook
  • Staff who want to pick up a few new shortcuts
  • Anyone curious about features they may not be using yet

  
  

  We’ll walk through practical tools you can start using right away to stay organized, communicate clearly, and save time throughout your day.

  
  

  Have ideas for future Museum Tech Talk topics?

  We’d love to shape this series around what you want to learn. Send your suggestions to illinoismuseums@gmail.com.

  
  

  We hope you’ll join us for the launch of this new series!

  
  

  Join the call using the link below:

  Topic: Museum Tech Talk - Outlook

  Time: Feb 25, 2026 12:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

  Join Zoom Meeting

  
  

  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84634225969

  Meeting ID: 846 3422 5969

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• IAM on the Road - Pontiac

  • When
    7 Mar 2026
  •  
    8:30 AM
  • Location
    The Eagle Performing Arts and Conference Center

  Register

  About Route 66

  Route 66 will mark 100 years in 2026. Illinois' segment of Route 66 was significant, as it was the first and only section to be entirely paved from its inception in 1926, built upon the pre-existing Illinois State Route 4. The nickname "Mother Road" was popularized by John Steinbeck in his novel The Grapes of Wrath, but Route 66 was already seen as a vital pathway for families migrating westward during the Great Depression, seeking a better life. 

  About on the Road

  Join us on the Road as we learn, connect, and celebrate the stories that make Illinois unique! Each host community will provide space for a single day. From 8:30am-noon, regional museum colleagues will participate in conference sessions and have time to network with each other. From 1pm-4pm, the community is welcome to experience a “Museum Hop” as regional museums provide information or demonstrations about their special sites. 

  
  

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• IAM on the Road - Vandalia

  • When
    10 Apr 2026
  •  
    8:30 AM
  • Location
    Kaskaskia College Educational Center

  Register

  Join us in Vandalia on April 10 for a full day celebrating storytelling, strategy, and local history.

  Morning Workshop: Communications & Marketing

  Join us On the Road in Vandalia at the Kaskaskia College Education Center, 2310 West Filmore, Vandalia, Illinois 62471 from 9:00am-11:30am, for a marketing workshop that will help area cultural organizations and museums use simple and contemporary tools and tricks to share their story . No matter if you are an all volunteer museum, or a staff-led library or park district, there will be useful take-aways about what advertising, marketing, and promotion looks like in the age of AI. Lunch is provided to registrants.

  
  

  ️ Afternoon Museum Hop

  
  

  From 1pm-4pm, the community is welcome to experience a “Museum Hop” with the National Road Museum, Vandalia Statehouse, Historical Vandalia Fayette County Museum, as well as other sites in the community. Join us as we learn about this important place in Illinois history!

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• IAM on the Road - Kaskaskia-Cahokia Trail

  • When
    11 Apr 2026
  •  
    8:30 AM
  • Location
    Pierre Menard Home

  Register

  Morning Session: State Historic Sites & Preservation

  Begin the day with a deep dive into Illinois’ early history.

  The morning program will spotlight:

  • Recent renovations and new visitor entrances
  • Preservation projects across the region
  • Opportunities for interpretation along the historic trail

  This session is presented in collaboration with IDNR's State Historic Sites, highlighting fresh upgrades and expanded narratives tied to the state’s 250th anniversary.

  Afternoon Experiences: Trail Sites & Cultural History

  The afternoon will feature guided activities across key historic locations along the Kaskaskia–Cahokia Trail.

  Depending on local preferences, participants may enjoy:

  • A museum hop across multiple sites
  • Outdoor interpretive experiences
  • Themed workshops led by regional experts

  To ensure a high‑quality visit, attendance will be managed through staggered tours and two rotating groups of 25, allowing sites to comfortably host up to 50 participants without overcrowding.

  ️Lead Coordinator: Matt Meacham

  We’re thrilled to have Matt Meacham coordinating this event.

  Matt is a public humanities specialist and folklorist originally from Randolph County

  Event Themes

  This program weaves together:

  • The 250th anniversary of key Illinois history
  • The legacy of the Kaskaskia–Cahokia Trail
  • Preservation, interpretation, and community heritage

  A perfect opportunity to explore the past while engaging with the people who help keep these stories alive.

  
  

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