Are you worried about specific problems affecting the cultural heritage community under the current U.S. administration? Want to brainstorm solutions, find allies, make connections, or get involved in building resources to help our sector through this turbulent period?
Join volunteers from the Cultural Heritage Advocacy and Action Coalition (CHAACo) for a networking event!
Friday, May 1, 8:00 – 9:30 p.m.
Restaurant Bivouac at the Doubletree Hotel
1255 Rue Jeanne-Mance
Grab a drink or a plate from the bar and join us at the Bivouac social lounge! Bring your conference name tag.
We'll spend some time on structured conversation to give attendees an opportunity to share their biggest and most immediate concerns and discuss how CHAACo and others are organizing to help. Use the remaining time to network, ask questions, make suggestions, and determine how you can contribute to the solutions we all need!
This is a sequel to the Concerned Citizens Meetup of the 2025 AIC annual meeting, a productive and heartfelt conversation that resulted in the founding of CHAACo.
Fun fact: Friday May 1st is also May Day, a.k.a. International Workers' Day! In the U.S., May Day 2026 will be a one-day economic strike to express extreme discontent with the priorities of the current administration: "No work, no school, no shopping." An out-of-country professional conference makes it challenging to participate in that national demonstration of economic power. You can participate in spirit while in Montréal by choosing to support local small businesses, and by joining CHAACo's Friday evening event to help develop more solutions.
Can't make it? CHAACo volunteers also have a poster presentation—come find us in the exhibition hall on Thursday or Friday! The authors will be near the poster in spot 36 to welcome informal discussion, networking, and idea exchanges during the following times:
- Thursday: 10:15 - 11:00 a.m. & 3:15 - 3:45 p.m.
- Friday: 9:45 - 10:30 a.m. (Poster Q&A Session) & 3:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Visit our website at www.chaaco.org to discover our mission, resources for the community, and our recently published set of Immigrant Solidarity and ICE Preparedness resources for cultural heritage workers and organizations.
------------------------------
Katherine Langdon
Conservator
Co-founder of the Cultural Heritage Advocacy and Action Coalition (CHAACo)
San Francisco
United States
------------------------------