We work to develop high-quality professional development programs on a broad range of topics to enhance continuing education for conservation professionals.
Given limited resources, we anticipate we will only be able to support workshops in association with the AIC annual meeting in 2026. Additional AIC programming may be possible with support from group dues and/or event registration fees.
- See our Event and Program Planning Guide
- Any individual, organization, AIC Specialty Group, network, or committee may submit a proposal using the online proposal form. We recommended that you contact our Education Manager at learning@culturalheritage.org during the planning stages.
- Professional development events may focus on specific materials, specialties, or processes useful to the conservation profession at large; adapt knowledge from allied professions that is pertinent to a general conservation audience; advance the field of conservation; or focus on skills useful to conservators as a refresher course.
- Programs may include in-person workshops, online workshops, webinar series, self-study resources, and any other formats that provide necessary training and support.
- Each program requires a topic, coordinator, and instructor(s). The coordinator for an in-person program should be local to the host location. Proposals may be submitted with some or all of these components.
- We are currently accepting ideas for proposals for 2026. We encourage event proposals to be submitted by July 1 to allow for review, discussion, and confirmation before our budgets are submitted. Late submissions will be considered on a rolling basic and resources allow.
- Our Education Manager, the AIC Board Director of Professional Education and Training, and the Education and Training Committee (ETC) review and select professional development events to be supported by FAIC. Additional programs will be considered by AIC staff and leadership.
Criteria for Review
The Education and Training Committee (ETC) developed a set of criteria to help prioritize topics for our professional development programs. Proposed programs should:
- Be accessible - offered in a way that includes members from all parts of the U.S. with offerings in multiple locations and/or online learning.
- Be affordable - at a registration fee of roughly $165 per day.
- Be led by recognized experts in the subject, who are also effective instructors.
- Follow “best practices,” including AIC Code of Ethics, AIC Guidelines, and health and safety considerations.
- Not be readily available elsewhere.
- Help advance the conservation profession and respond to identified needs of AIC membership.
- Align with FAIC's core values:
- equity/inclusion/access
- partnerships/collaborations/connections
- climate impact/environment/sustainability
- operational resilience/excellence