2014 Conference
- Conference Location
- Helpful Tips
- Conference Sponsors
- Conference App
- NEMA Pop-Up Museum
- NEMA Conference Preview
- Newcomer Handbook
- Finding NEMA
- Volunteer
- Resume Review
- Roommate Matching Service
- Carpool Service
- Exhibit Hall
Conference Location and Hotel
All sessions will be located at the conference hotel unless otherwise noted.
Hyatt Regency Cambridge
575 Memorial Drive
Cambridge, MA 02134
Click here for directions
Parking at the Hyatt Regency
There is a discounted rate of $12.00 per day for both overnight and day parking. Daytime attendees should ask for a discount ticket at the conference registration desk. Hotel guests will receive their discount automatically as part of their room charge.
Please note that the garage will fill up. We are strongly encouraging the use of public transportation to the hotel.
Public Transportation
The conference hotel is located closest to the “Boston University West” Green Line stop, a short walk over the beautiful Charles River. For more information on the transportation system feel free to explore, buy fare tickets, and find a map at: www.mbta.com.
Other Cambridge Hotels
Boston Marriott Cambridge – MIT
50 Broadway
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/boscb-boston-marriott-cambridge/
Rooms begin at $219.00
Courtyard Boston Cambridge
777 Memorial Drive
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/boscy-courtyard-boston-cambridge/
Rooms begin at $179.00
Hotel Marlowe
25 Edwin Land Blvd.
http://www.hotelmarlowe.com
Rooms begin at $269.00
Royal Sonesta Hotel Cambridge
40 Edwin Land Blvd.
http://www.sonesta.com/boston
Rooms begin at $269.00
Helpful Tips
This year’s conference is record-setting, with more than 1,100 museum professionals enjoying three days of learning and friendship. With so many of us in attendance, our conference this year has a terrific energy, and we know that it will also have its special challenges too. Lines may be a bit longer and sessions may be a little cozy. So we ask for your patience and understanding as we try to bring you an excellent experience. Here are a few suggestions to help you get around and make your time with us enjoyable.
Conference Sessions
Because sessions are on a first-come, first-seated basis, you may want to stake your claim early for sessions really important to you. Also, prepare first and second choices for any time slot so if a session is full you can quickly find another. The largest rooms this year are Molly Pitcher, William Dawes, and Paul Revere, where you’ll have a better chance at finding a seat.
Bathrooms
Since most NEMA attendees are female, we’ve added an extra ladies room on the lobby floor. Men’s rooms are on the 2nd and 14th floors.
Informal Seating
Networking is important at the NEMA conference, so we have places for you to meet up throughout the hotel. Try the “Crow’s Nest” nook on the 2nd floor, the Zephyr Lounge, and the Charles View Ballroom on the 16th floor (when available).
Parking/Shuttle
The hotel parking garage can accommodate 420 vehicles. If you can’t find room there, we’ve made arrangements for you to use the MIT lot at 252 Albany Street. For your convenience, NEMA has arranged a shuttle between the MIT lot and the hotel between 9 – 10:30 am each day of the conference. To return to the lot at other times, take the hotel courtesy van, which leaves from the hotel main entrance. You can also park at the Cambridgeside Galleria. The hotel courtesy van makes pickups and drop offs there between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. For pickup, contact the hotel at 617-492-1234 and mention that you are part of the NEMA conference.
Public Transportation
If you plan to take public transportation to the conference, we recommend you use the Kendall stop on the MBTA Red Line or the Boston University stop on the Green Line. The hotel courtesy van makes pickups and drop offs at both stops between 7 am and 9 pm. For pickup, contact the hotel at 617-492-1234 and mention that you are part of the NEMA conference. There are two MBTA bus stops (Route #CT2 and #47) near the hotel. Go to mbta.com for stop locations and schedules.
Refreshment Breaks
At each break, we will be serving coffee and treats in two locations. Wednesday breaks will be in the pre-function area outside the President’s ballroom and in the main hotel lobby. Thursday and Friday breaks will be in the Exhibit Hall and in the main lobby. Please be thoughtful of your fellow attendees and make sure that everyone is served before you enjoy seconds!
Keynote and Annual Meeting Seating
We remind you that seating for Wednesday’s keynote session and Friday’s annual meeting is extremely limited and on a first-come, first-seated basis. For the keynote session we have arranged additional seating in the Empress Ballroom on the 14th floor. For the annual meeting alternate seating is in the Empress Ballroom, Crispus Attucks, and Paul Revere. Conference volunteers will direct you to the appropriate room.
Conference Ambassadors
Need help finding your way? Look for one of our Conference Ambassadors. They're the ones wearing the cheery yellow buttons and an equally cheery smile. They'll be glad to help!
Conference Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
Gowrie Group
Titanium Level Sponsors
Marquis Design
Museum Search & Reference
OnCell-TourSphere
Platinum Level Sponsors
Alexander Haas
Cambridge Savings Bank/Cambridge Appleton Trust
Huntington T. Block Insurance Agency, Inc.
Qm2
Smith + St. John
U.S. Trust Bank of America Corporation
Gold Level Sponsors
Art New England
Johns Hopkins University Master of Arts in Museum Studies
MuseumTrek by Treksolver, Inc.
Mystic Scenic Studios, Inc.
Tufts University Museum Studies Program
University of Massachusetts Public History Program
Silver Level Sponsors
Art Shipping International
Beyond Genocide
POW! Paul Orselli Workshop
Bronze Level
CreativeGround
MuseumRails
Scholarship Sponsors
Cynthia Robinson
John Nicholas Brown Center for Public Humanities and Cultural Heritage at Brown University
Laura B. Roberts
University Products
NEMA Conference App
The NEMA conference app is now available to download from the App Store and Google Play. You can also view a web version by clicking here. Thanks to our friends at OnCell-TourSphere!
NEMA Pop-Up Museum
Our NEMA community is a talented bunch. Many of us pursue after-hours passions as artists, poets, crafters or a range of other hobbies. Come celebrate the creativity of your colleagues in NEMA’s first-ever Pop-up Museum on November 18 at 7 pm, where you’ll mingle with the artists and chat about their work. It’s a great way to start your conference experience!
Participants wanted: if you would like to help create the Pop-Up Museum with your own work or an object that represents your hobby. Deadline for submission is October 31. Space is limited, so sign up early. Click here for details.
NEMA Conference Preview
First time at a NEMA conference? Learn how to make the most of it. Join Amanda Gustin and Ashley Martin, co-chairs of the Young and Emerging Professionals PAG, for coffee and tips for how you can use your time to your best advantage. 8:15 to 9:00 am in the Haym Salomon room. We have also prepared a Newcomer Handbook here.
Resume Review
Bring your resume to conference and get a one-on-one career tune-up from a seasoned museum professional – just the thing to enhance your job search! Connect with a NEMA ambassador, who will check out your C.V. and give you some on-the-spot advice. Pre-registration is required and available by clicking here; spaces are limited.
WANT TO BE A REVIEWER? Click here to find out how you can help.
Newcomer Handbook
Never attended the New England Museum Association Conference? That’s okay, NEMA’s got you covered. Click here to download the handbook.
Finding NEMA
NEMA is excited to introduce our newest ambassador to the November Conference in Boston/Cambridge, NEMA.
NEMA is a Boston Terrier who is passionate about museums and loves adventure. NEMA will be popping up at our host sites and traveling around Boston/Cambridge from September 15 – November 19. Come along with NEMA to visit our area museums and hang out with conference attendees on Twitter and Instagram. Click here for complete details.
Volunteer
We are looking for volunteers to assist us throughout the conference, to staff the registration desk, check meeting rooms between sessions, supervise off-site travel arrangements, and more. Volunteers who work one shift can attend the rest of that day for free. For working three shifts, volunteers receive a complimentary registration for the whole conference. Preference is given to individuals who live near the conference site. All volunteer positions are full at this time.
Roommate Matching Service
Save on the cost of your hotel room by sharing with a colleague. If you are looking for someone to room with, call (781-641-0013) or email (conference@nemanet.org) the NEMA office with your name, phone number, smoking preference, and the number of nights you will be staying. NEMA will contact you with roommate contact information as soon as we find a match. NEMA does not guarantee that a roommate will be available.
Carpool Service
Can you help a colleague with a ride to conference?
Call (781-641-0013) or email (conference@nemanet.org) the NEMA office if you are willing to drive a colleague to Cambridge.
Need to catch a ride to the conference?
Call (781-641-0013) or email (conference@nemanet.org) the NEMA office with your name, phone number, where you will be driving from, and when you need a ride. NEMA will contact you with contact information if we hear from a colleague going your way! NEMA does not guarantee that transportation will be available.
Exhibit Hall
(If you would like information about being a vendor in the Exhibit Hall please see our information on Marketing Opportunities)
You’ll be amazed at the variety of products and services presented in the Exhibit Hall, open from 8:00 a.m. Thursday until 1:00 pm Friday.
Our exhibitors have donated fabulous prizes, which we raffle off at the Exhibit Hall Closing Reception at 12:15 pm on Friday. Use your raffle card (found in your on-site registration packet) to collect exhibitors’ initials, and drop it in the Raffle Box for a chance to win!
See the latest innovative products & services in our Exhibit Hall: