Attendee FAQ

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How do I find my way to and around the Pennsylvania Convention Center? See PACC maps - including bus pick up and drop off for excursions, registration, education classes and MSA Expo HERE!
What area museums offer free or discounted admissions to MSA attendees? American Alliance of Mususems has made arrangements with many museums that will offer free or discounted fees. See the list on this page (scroll to bottom for full list)
Where can I view the "KNOW BEFORE YOU GO" zoom recording?? If you missed the "KNOW BEFORE YOU GO" Webinar on Wednesday, April 29 - you can watch it now HERE!
Where do I catch the bus for the Penn and/or Edelman excursions or the MSA Party Wednesday? For the Penn and Edelmann Excursions and the MSA Party- Buses will board at the Pennsylvania Convention Center valet cut-out, near the corner of Broad and Arch Streets. All other excursions are walking excursions and will meet in the Broad Street Lobby. You MUST wear your badge to get on buses for MSA Events.
Who do I go to with questions? Is there an MSA Help Desk? Visit the MSA Registration desk in the Broad Street Lobby for help. Pro tip - Look for the Giant Paintbrush to find the Broad Street PACC entrance! You can also visit the MSA Booth in the Expo Hall where you can ask learn about MSA membership and Museum Store Sunday.
Where is MSA FORWARD? Are all events on-site? MSA FORWARD is taking place at the Pennsylvania Convention Center located at 1101 Arch Street, Philidelphia, PA 19107. All education sessions, ticketed workshops, and the Expo Hall are located in the convention center. See the program HERE for specific locations for sessions/events.
Where do I sign up to volunteer? We are so glad you asked! Sign up HERE to help us make the event great!
What does it mean that MSA FORWARD is co-located with the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) Annual Meeting & Museum Expo? These two events are being held in the same convention center, and registered attendees of either conference are welcome to visit both MSA and AAM booths in the shared Expo Hall space. MSA FORWARD registered attendees may also attend the AAM General Session and keynote presentations at no added cost.
What is included in my registration? What is included with my MSA FORWARD Registration (Institution member)? Access to over 20 Educational Sessions including Chapter Meetings and Buyer Roundtables MSA networking events including the MSA NEXT Party, Newcomer’s Orientation, and the Expo Hall Happy Hour Access to the Expo Hall with over 220 MSA Vendors and their show specials Swag Bag (while supplies last) *small fee for non-NEXT members and exhibitors to attend NEXT Party Due to FREE Registration lunches are no longer included. However, to help plan and budget, Lunch vouchers are available to purchase. These vouchers will be good inside the EXPO hall at various concessions. Additional fees apply to educational excursion tickets and Boot Camp Workshop. Guest tickets are available for the, MSA Parties (Next and Evening at Independence Seaport and Excursions.
Will there be recordings of the education sessions available after the conference? Most non-ticketed education sessions will be recorded. MSA FORWARD registered attendees will have free access the recordings for 90 days after the conference. After 90 days, the recordings will be available for purchase on the MSA website (members receive a reduced rate).
What meals are available during conference? Lunch will be available for purchase in the EXPO hall at various concessions Thursday and Friday (CASHLESS CONCESSIONS). If you pre purchased meal vouchers for either or both days you can redeem these ate the concessions as well. NOTE: the vouches are a ONE TIME use - they must be used at one concession, one time and no change will be given. You will be on your own for lunch on Wednesday. Food and drink included at MSA FORWARD: Coffee, hot tea and water only Wednesday and Thursday morning (no breakfast) MSA Party (Wednesday Night) Beer and Wine Bar and Hors d'oeurves Closing Happy Hour Friday (Bars open at noon): Cash Bar (opens at 3:00 pm) MSA NEXT Party for emerging professionals and industry newcomers (Tuesday, May 19): Beer and Wine bar and hors d’oeuvres
Can I still register for one of the ticketed workshops or educational excursions once I arrive in Philly? Many of these tickets items are SOLD OUT. HOWEVER - If tickets become available (due to cancellations) you can purchase a ticket to the by adding to your attendee registration or starting Tuesday, May 19 - check at our MSA Registration Desk onsite (Broad Street entrance of PACC).
How to Add-On Tickets to Your Existing Registration How to Add-On Tickets to Your Existing Registration Sign into the Attendee Service Center using the credentials provided in your Conference Registration Confirmation email. Click Update Your Registration Click Edit next to your name. Proceed through the form by clicking CONTINUE until you reach the Registration Fees & Packages page. Select the tickets you wish to add-on and then CONTINUE at the bottom of the screen. Click CONTINUE to proceed to the Registration Summary page – please review to ensure the right selected tickets have been selected! Need to make a change? Click the BACK button until you arrive back on the Registration Fees & Packages page After final review, CONTINUE to the Payment Information page to submit your payment for the tickets and submit your updated registration You can download an updated statement by clicking the Download Registration Documents button within the Service Center.
What is the attendee registration cancellation policy? Cancellations must be received in writing by April 19, 2026, to events@museumstoreassociation.org, and are subject to a $100 cancellation fee. Your registration may be transferred to a member of your organization up to 5 days before the event when requested in writing. No refunds will be issued after April 19, 2025.
First Time Attendee Tips Create an agenda of sessions you want to attend via the app. Be sure to download the app before arriving. Engage with other attendees via the app. The activity feed is particularly popular with attendees! Be sure to attend the Newcomers Orientation, Tuesday, May 19 at 5:00 PM Attend your Chapter Meeting on Wednesday, May 20 The HUB in the Expo is a great space to network or take a break. Pro Tip: If a session is particularly important to you, arrive EARLY! Some rooms will reach capacity quickly and seating can become limited. Meet and ask questions to MSA staff members and volunteers who will provide guidance as you navigate your first MSA FORWARD Conference.
Is there a digital version of the onsite program? YES! You can visit the digital flipbook HERE

How do I find my way to and around the Pennsylvania Convention Center?

See PACC maps - including bus pick up and drop off for excursions, registration, education classes and MSA Expo HERE!

What area museums offer free or discounted admissions to MSA attendees?

American Alliance of Mususems has made arrangements with many museums that will offer free or discounted fees.

See the list on this page (scroll to bottom for full list)

Where can I view the "KNOW BEFORE YOU GO" zoom recording??

If you missed the "KNOW BEFORE YOU GO" Webinar on Wednesday, April 29 - you can watch it now HERE!

Where do I catch the bus for the Penn and/or Edelman excursions or the MSA Party Wednesday?

For the Penn and Edelmann Excursions and the MSA Party- Buses will board at the Pennsylvania Convention Center valet cut-out, near the corner of Broad and Arch Streets.

All other excursions are walking excursions and will meet in the Broad Street Lobby.

You MUST wear your badge to get on buses for MSA Events.

Who do I go to with questions? Is there an MSA Help Desk?

Visit the MSA Registration desk in the Broad Street Lobby for help.

Pro tip - Look for the Giant Paintbrush to find the Broad Street PACC entrance!

You can also visit the MSA Booth in the Expo Hall where you can ask learn about MSA membership and Museum Store Sunday.

Where is MSA FORWARD? Are all events on-site?

MSA FORWARD is taking place at the Pennsylvania Convention Center located at 1101 Arch Street, Philidelphia, PA 19107.

All education sessions, ticketed workshops, and the Expo Hall are located in the convention center.

See the program HERE for specific locations for sessions/events.

Where do I sign up to volunteer?

We are so glad you asked!
Sign up HERE to help us make the event great!

What does it mean that MSA FORWARD is co-located with the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) Annual Meeting & Museum Expo?

These two events are being held in the same convention center, and registered attendees of either conference are welcome to visit both MSA and AAM booths in the shared Expo Hall space.

MSA FORWARD registered attendees may also attend the AAM General Session and keynote presentations at no added cost.

What is included in my registration?

What is included with my MSA FORWARD Registration (Institution member)?

Access to over 20 Educational Sessions including Chapter Meetings and Buyer Roundtables
MSA networking events including the MSA NEXT Party, Newcomer’s Orientation, and the Expo Hall Happy Hour
Access to the Expo Hall with over 220 MSA Vendors and their show specials
Swag Bag (while supplies last)

*small fee for non-NEXT members and exhibitors to attend NEXT Party

Due to FREE Registration lunches are no longer included. However, to help plan and budget, Lunch vouchers are available to purchase. These vouchers will be good inside the EXPO hall at various concessions.

Additional fees apply to educational excursion tickets and Boot Camp Workshop.

Guest tickets are available for the, MSA Parties (Next and Evening at Independence Seaport and Excursions.

Will there be recordings of the education sessions available after the conference?

Most non-ticketed education sessions will be recorded. MSA FORWARD registered attendees will have free access the recordings for 90 days after the conference. After 90 days, the recordings will be available for purchase on the MSA website (members receive a reduced rate).

What meals are available during conference?

Lunch will be available for purchase in the EXPO hall at various concessions Thursday and Friday (CASHLESS CONCESSIONS).

If you pre purchased meal vouchers for either or both days you can redeem these ate the concessions as well.

NOTE: the vouches are a ONE TIME use - they must be used at one concession, one time and no change will be given.

You will be on your own for lunch on Wednesday.

Food and drink included at MSA FORWARD:

Coffee, hot tea and water only Wednesday and Thursday morning (no breakfast)
MSA Party (Wednesday Night) Beer and Wine Bar and Hors d'oeurves
Closing Happy Hour Friday (Bars open at noon): Cash Bar (opens at 3:00 pm)
MSA NEXT Party for emerging professionals and industry newcomers (Tuesday, May 19): Beer and Wine bar and hors d’oeuvres

Can I still register for one of the ticketed workshops or educational excursions once I arrive in Philly?

Many of these tickets items are SOLD OUT.
HOWEVER - If tickets become available (due to cancellations) you can purchase a ticket to the by adding to your attendee registration or starting Tuesday, May 19 - check at our MSA Registration Desk onsite (Broad Street entrance of PACC).

How to Add-On Tickets to Your Existing Registration

Sign into the Attendee Service Center using the credentials provided in your Conference Registration Confirmation email.
Click Update Your Registration
Click Edit next to your name.
Proceed through the form by clicking CONTINUE until you reach the Registration Fees & Packages page.
Select the tickets you wish to add-on and then CONTINUE at the bottom of the screen.
Click CONTINUE to proceed to the Registration Summary page – please review to ensure the right selected tickets have been selected!
Need to make a change? Click the BACK button until you arrive back on the Registration Fees & Packages page
After final review, CONTINUE to the Payment Information page to submit your payment for the tickets and submit your updated registration
You can download an updated statement by clicking the Download Registration Documents button within the Service Center.

What is the attendee registration cancellation policy?

Cancellations must be received in writing by April 19, 2026, to events@museumstoreassociation.org, and are subject to a $100 cancellation fee.

Your registration may be transferred to a member of your organization up to 5 days before the event when requested in writing. No refunds will be issued after April 19, 2025.

First Time Attendee Tips

Create an agenda of sessions you want to attend via the app. Be sure to download the app before arriving.
Engage with other attendees via the app. The activity feed is particularly popular with attendees!
Be sure to attend the Newcomers Orientation, Tuesday, May 19 at 5:00 PM
Attend your Chapter Meeting on Wednesday, May 20
The HUB in the Expo is a great space to network or take a break.
Pro Tip: If a session is particularly important to you, arrive EARLY! Some rooms will reach capacity quickly and seating can become limited.

Meet and ask questions to MSA staff members and volunteers who will provide guidance as you navigate your first MSA FORWARD Conference.

Is there a digital version of the onsite program?

YES! You can visit the digital flipbook HERE