To finish off Thursday, the most informative session occurred during the unconference talks. I finally had a chance to chat with folks having the same issues regarding social media and museum employee buy-in. I think I might want to start a museum unconference. Anyone willing to fly to San Diego for the inaugural year?
Later that evening, I met up with a college friend for some free beer at Rock Bottom Brewery (they really give away one type of beer for a half-an-hour on Thursday, I must check if they do this in San Diego). After I finished my beer, I walked over to Marco’s Coal-Fire Pizza and enjoyed a great meal with some fellow Balboa Park employees. I met two others who graduated from high school in San Diego in 2000 (Best class ever). We finished off the night with a post-dinner Limoncello and then back to the hotel and bed.
Friday was a free-for-all. I walked around the exhibitors and gave them my business card in hopes of free iPad (and I must admit, after seeing a few in use, I kind of want one). However, the fun began with Banjo Billy’s Bus Tour of Denver. Nothing like riding around in a modified, wood-paneled bus with couches, recliners, and a saddle for seats. I really enjoyed the irreverent nature of the tour covering the crime, ghosts, and adultery of Denver’s past. Should I start a tour like this in San Diego? Maybe.
To see the other pictures I took on Banjo Billy’s Bus Tour, click here. For the video of the Couch of Death, click here.
That evening I enjoyed the Denver Museum of Nature and Science during the conferences big reception. After arriving fashionably late, I enjoyed some food and drinks with my fellow attendees. Later, we watched Galileo teach us how to be a scientist (which you can watch here) and then enjoyed a planetarium show on black holes. Afterward, while chatting with a new friend from Chicago, I rode the bus back to the hotel to enjoy a few drink with some Balboa Park folks. I called it an early night at 1 am and headed to bed.
On Saturday morning I woke up and headed to one last session on how to organize a website for the user. Then after a much-needed lunch it was off to the Social Media Circus to learn how other museums utilized social media. There I learned of the newest historical society, the Spinny Bar Historical Society. They started it and had it up in running in under 24 hours. They continue to grow as an organization we speak.
Later that evening, I enjoyed a barbecue with Jon Paul, his wife Sarah, their friend Sammer, and some new folks. After a long drive back thanks to an accident, I pack up my belongings and rested for the travel home.
I enjoyed the conference and hope to return next year in Philadelphia. Now how can I convince my boss to pay for it?
April 22nd, 2010 → 10:32 am
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