MuseumExpo - AAM 2027
Event Date
May 5–8, 2027
Location
Houston, TX
Expected Exhibitors
350
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryThe AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo is the museum field's largest convening, organized by the American Alliance of Museums. The conference brings together museums of all types and sizes—from art and history museums to zoos and botanic gardens—to share ideas and make transformational connections. The 2027 edition (AAM 2027) will take place in Houston, TX, May 5-8, 2027, at the George R. Brown Convention Center.
The event draws museum professionals across every discipline and career stage. Exhibitors meet directors, curators, educators, registrars, exhibit designers, and financial officers, while attendees range from executive leadership and established professionals to mid-career staff, entry-level workers, and students. With nearly 5,000 attendees from across the U.S., Canada, and around the world, this event offers unmatched opportunities to connect with decision-makers who are shaping the future of museums.
AAM 2027 is built around the theme "Mission. Value. Impact." The meeting invites museum professionals to explore questions together through tracks focused on: Audiences, Experiences, & Value Creation; Financial Sustainability & Growth; Organizational Capacity & Operations; Innovation & Future-readiness; and Museum Practice & Essentials. Attendees gain cutting-edge practices, hands-on professional development, and a strong cross-disciplinary network.
Show Highlights
Key features of AAM 2027 include:
- Five thematic tracks — Audiences, Experiences, & Value Creation; Financial Sustainability & Growth; Organizational Capacity & Operations; Innovation & Future-readiness; and Museum Practice & Essentials.
- The MuseumExpo — the exhibit hall features hundreds of exhibitors showcasing the latest products, services, and technologies designed specifically for museums.
- Hands-on workshops and learning labs offering foundational and practical techniques attendees can apply in their own context.
- Cross-disciplinary networking — the only event where professionals from every type of museum (art, history, science, zoos, botanical gardens, historic sites) gather in one place.
- Expo-floor experiences — Solutions Center presentations, poster presentations, an AAM Bookstore with book signings, networking and charging lounges, and specialized show-floor areas for technology companies, traveling exhibitions, and a Partner Pavilion.
- Keynotes and a General Session, plus receptions, the AAM Party, and MUSE Awards.
Attendance
AAM draws thousands of museum professionals each year. Recent editions: over 3,000 attendees in 2022; nearly 4,000 attendees in 2023; over 4,000 attendees in 2025; and nearly 4,500 attendees from around the world in 2026. Organizers describe the meeting as drawing nearly 5,000 attendees from across the U.S., Canada, and around the world.
Audience composition by professional level: Executive Leadership 27%, Established Professionals 27%, Mid-Career 31%, Entry-Level & Students 10%, and Retired/Other 5%. Purchasing influence is high: 75% of attendees are involved in final purchasing decisions, and 75% of past attendees plan to recommend a product or service they discovered at MuseumExpo. In addition, roughly 80% of Annual Meeting attendees visit the MuseumExpo.
Booth Pricing
MuseumExpo 2027 booth rates vary by size and membership tier.
- 10'x10': Industry Member $3,050; Non-Member $4,000; Non-Profit Member $2,500.
- 10'x20': Industry Member $5,450; Non-Member $7,000; Non-Profit Member $4,300.
- 10'x30': Industry Member $8,150; Non-Member $10,400; Non-Profit Member $6,500.
- 20'x20': Industry Member $11,000; Non-Member $14,200; Non-Profit Member $8,700.
- 20'x30': Industry Member $15,100; Non-Member $18,200.
- 20'x40': Industry Member $19,500; Non-Member $22,400.
For booths 300 sq. ft. or less, a separate additional charge of $350 applies for corner booths. Exhibitors receive 2 complimentary full-conference registrations per 100 sq ft, 4 Expo-Only Guest passes, a company listing in the mobile app and online exhibitor directory, booth signage, and standard pipe/drape setup; an optional 30-minute Solutions Center presentation is available for $1,200. Booths do not include carpet, table, chairs, or furnishings.
Registration
Registration for AAM 2027 is handled through the American Alliance of Museums. AAM members receive a discounted member rate for Annual Meeting registration, and the organization encourages attendees to secure membership to save. Exhibitor and sponsor bookings for the 2027 MuseumExpo are already underway. The 2027 AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo is taking place in Houston, TX, May 5-8, 2027; bookings for the 2027 MuseumExpo are underway, and prospective exhibitors can contact Shelon Atwater at satwater@aam-us.org for more information. For attendee registration types, pricing, and deadlines, consult the official AAM Annual Meeting website closer to the event.
History
The AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo is organized by the American Alliance of Museums and is billed as the museum field's largest convening. In recent years it has rotated among major U.S. cities and grown steadily: over 3,000 attendees gathered in 2022 before the 2023 meeting in Denver; nearly 4,000 attendees attended in 2023 ahead of the 2024 meeting in Baltimore; the 2025 meeting was held in Los Angeles; the 2026 meeting took place in Philadelphia; and the 2027 meeting comes to Houston. Exhibitor participation has also expanded: nearly 200 exhibitors joined the MuseumExpo in 2023, and the 2026 combined MuseumExpo with the Museum Store Association welcomed over 350 exhibitors.
Exhibitors
Exhibitor Information
Detailed exhibitor list is being compiled. Check back soon or visit the official show website for the most current information.
Last updated: September 18, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the 2027 AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo?
AAM 2027 takes place May 5-8, 2027, in Houston, Texas. The event will be held at the George R. Brown Convention Center at 1001 Avenida de las Americas.
Who should attend AAM 2027?
The meeting brings together museum professionals of all types and sizes, from art and history museums to zoos and botanic gardens. Attendees include directors, curators, educators, registrars, exhibit designers, and financial officers across all career stages.
How much does an exhibitor booth cost at MuseumExpo 2027?
Booth rates vary by size and membership tier. A 10'x10' booth starts at $3,050 for Industry Members, $4,000 for Non-Members, and $2,500 for Non-Profit Members, with larger booths priced higher and a $350 corner-booth surcharge for booths 300 sq. ft. or less.
How do I register or reserve a booth for AAM 2027?
Attendee registration is handled through the American Alliance of Museums, with discounted rates for members. Exhibitor and sponsor bookings for 2027 are already underway; prospective exhibitors can contact Shelon Atwater at satwater@aam-us.org.
How many people attend the AAM Annual Meeting?
Attendance has grown in recent years, reaching nearly 4,500 attendees in 2026, and organizers describe the meeting as drawing nearly 5,000 attendees from across the U.S., Canada, and around the world. Most attendees also visit the MuseumExpo exhibit hall.
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