Mutual Concerns of Air and Space Museums Seminar

Forty years ago, several aviation museum directors and curators saw a need for a collaborative international forum to discuss possible aircraft loans and acquisitions. The International Association of Transportation Museums (IATM) provided the framework to do this and a group was formed. The group's yearly conferences in different aviation museums, including locations outside North America , proved to be constructive. Now, however, the group is at a crossroads due to dwindling membership, lack of new leadership, and finally the emergence of the Mutual Concerns seminars, which duplicate many of the IATM group's functions.

The remaining members are trying to decide whether to reinvent or retire this IATM group. At this meeting, we invite museum directors and curators who have been the nucleus for this group, as well as other interested parties, to discuss this issue. We will discuss at least one proposal to shift the group to another organizational umbrella, but a larger discussion examining the needs of the aviation museum community, and how those needs can best be served, is also needed.

Please join us in continuing this dialogue and bringing fresh perspectives to this matter of interest to us all.

Mutual Concerns of Air and Space Museums Seminar

March 19-22, 2005