Published: 14 Jul 2025
The past few weeks have been full of brilliant conversations, inspiring talks, and great company, thanks to two fantastic events: the AIM Conference at the Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth, and Experience on Main Street in Manchester.
The Mary Rose Museum made an incredible venue for this year’s AIM Conference. Huge credit to the team there for being such warm and generous hosts. The programme was packed, with loads of useful sessions on everything from financial and environmental sustainability and income diversification to digital engagement and partnerships.
A lot of the conversation focused on how independent museums are evolving and thinking differently about their role, how they reach people, and how they stay resilient in the face of ongoing challenges. It was engaging, practical, and optimistic.
Then it was off to Manchester for Experience on Main Street, a totally different event, but just as thought-provoking. It brought together people from museums, heritage, culture, tourism, and placemaking, all keen to explore how experiences can bring places to life.
There was a strong focus on storytelling, immersive design, and the role culture can play in revitalising high streets and local identity. Collaboration came up a lot too—how we work across sectors and with communities to create things that feel genuinely connected and meaningful.
What stood out at both events, besides the inspiring talks, was the people. These kinds of events are a good reminder that while we all work in different corners of the sector, we share a lot of the same goals.
Big thanks to the teams behind both AIM and Experience on Main Street for pulling off two fantastic events, and I left both full of ideas and inspiration.
If we didn’t get the chance to chat properly, or if you want to talk partnerships, digital interpretation, or new ways of working together drop me a message. Always happy to connect.
We are also looking ahead to a busy autumn and will be heading to a few more great events: Museum ID on 17th September, AHI from 8th–10th October, VAC on 16th October, and ASVA on 19th November. If you’re going to any of these too, let me know—it’d be great to connect!
Anna Gregory
Head of Partnerships
m: +44(0)74686 95100