Visitor Services Symposium - October 8

Visitor Services Symposium - Philadelphia
More than just a Pretty Face: Taking your Visitor Services skills to the next level.

This Visitor Services symposium incorporates networking, panel, and roundtable discussions with the purpose of creating a serious and focused dialogue concerning Visitor Services in the Philadelphia Area. The symposium is perfect for individuals at all levels of the Visitor Services field, from managers to entry-level employees.

VS employees will have the opportunity to delve into the specifics of their field and enhance their ability to a new and improved level. Managers will learn new tactics surrounding the training of their staff, in addition to gaining and deepening the understanding of surrounding departments and upper level management. Entry-level VS employees will learn to become observers of the visitor as well as how to advance their career beyond the welcome desk.

Panelists come from a range of museums and organizations and will host a question and answer roundtable at the end of the event for all attendees.

Panelists include:

Jessica Sharpe, Director of Visitor Services, Philadelphia Museum of Art

Kendra Lawton, Director of Programs and Planning, Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance

Dan Corti, Director of Visitor Services, Barnes Foundation

Joseph Gonzales, Director, Museum Communication Program, University of the Arts

Nicole Krom, Manager of Visitor Services and Special Events, Fleisher Art Memorial

Sara Hertz, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Academy of Natural Sciences

Schedule:

Monday, October 8th

8:00am-8:45am       Networking

9:00am-9:15am       Welcome

9:30am-10:15am     Session I (choose one):

                                Understanding Your Audience

                                Training Tactics

10:30am-11:15am   Session II (choose one):

                                 Crafting Your Career in VS

                                 Educating Up - Cross Training Depts

11:15am-11:30am    Coffee and Snacks

11:45am-12:30pm    Closing Roundtable/ Q&A

This event is sponsored by the Museum Council of Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley.