Registration Rates

Early MANY Member (Jan–Feb 2026) — $275
Early Non-Member (Jan–Feb 2026) — $325
MANY Member (March 1) — $325
Non-Member (March 1) — $375
Presenter/Full-time Student — $200
Walk-in (after April 15) — $445

Add-ons:
Thursday Evening Cocktail, Corning Tower Observation Deck Valley — $75
Printed Program (only digital provided) — $15

MANY recognizes that our members' budgets are limited, particularly given reduced public funding for museums. Pricing for the 2026 conference has been streamlined and reduced to the greatest extent possible. Compared to the 2025 baseline, rates for members have been reduced by approximately 15%, and those for students and presenters by 25%. There will be no additional fees for meet-ups or workshops. Thursday lunch, Friday breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and Saturday breakfast are included in registration.

All attendees and guests are welcome to the Evening Cocktail ($75 per person) - we are planning a celebratory evening with food and drinks for all! Further details to be announced.

Timeline

• December 2, 2025: Announcement, Open Call for Session Proposals & Award Nominations

• January 15, 2026: Early Registration Opens

• January 31, 2026: Session Proposals & Award Nominations Due

• February 28, 2026: Early Registration Closes

• March 2026: Conference details announced throughout the month

• April 15, 2026: Pre-Conference Registration Closes 

• Weeks preceding the conference: details shared with registration via conference app 

• Walk-in Registration available though May 9, 2026
  
  

Hotels

MANY reserved blocks of rooms at two-area hotels and price points.

The Renaissance is approximately a 10-minute walk from the State Museum. The Country Inn & Suites is a 25-min walk; attendees may prefer to drive or use buses. We recommend booking a room at your selected hotel as soon as possible. Block-specific links and details for both properties are included in the conference registration confirmation.

The Country Inn & Suites by Radisson is located conveniently off I-787, close to transportation hubs and the riverfront. The hotel is proximate to the Empire State Plaza and the New York State Museum. Conference Group rate available until April 15.

The Renaissance Albany is at the base of the Capital Steps, within brisk walking distance to the Empire State Plaza, the NYS Legislative Office Building, and the Hudson River. Conference Group rate available until April 12.

Book @ Country Inn & Suites 

Book @ The Renaissance Albany

Travel & Accommodations

Conference activities will be centered at the New York State Museum on the Empire State Plaza in downtown Albany. Attendees from beyond the capital region may drive, take Amtrak, use regional bus services, or fly to nearby Albany International Airport.

Accessibility

MANY is committed to an inclusive conference experience; prejudiced, exclusionary behavior will be neither normalized nor tolerated.

We welcome all inquiries regarding accessibility, mobility, and/or other accommodation needs, including linguistic, cognitive, sensory, gender-expressive, religious, parental, and/or medical considerations.


Scholarship Funds

Scholarship Funds are available to support the attendance of as many New Yorkers as possible, and MANY supporters and sponsors are committed to enabling this.

Funds are donor-directed and generally focus on students/emerging-career colleagues, people who self-identify as being from a community historically under- or misrepresented in museums, and/or those traveling from considerable/relatively costly distances.

Funds support the cost of registration, hotel accommodations, and travel.

Complete this form and contact director@nysmuseums.org for more information. DEADLINE APRIL 15 2026.


Cancellation Policy

Cancellations before March 1 will be processed at no cost. Refunds requested after this date will not be granted, including requests made based on absence due to illness, late arrival for courses and/or weather conditions. Special event tickets are non-refundable due to advance catering commitments, but may be transferred to another attendee. Please notify MANY staff if you transfer a ticket.


Video/Photography Policy

By registering for and attending the conference, participants grant MANY permission to photograph, film, or otherwise document conference activities.  Images may be used for promotional and archival purposes.