IMA Plugged-In is a free monthly opportunity for museum professionals and volunteers to connect around topics of interest to the museum field.
IMA Plugged-In is provided by the Iowa Museum Association the third Monday of the month at noon. This one-hour opportunity to lunch, learn, and engage varies from facilitated conversations to presentations.
Sessions presented in 2026 will be posted after they are presented live.
February 16: National History Day
National History Day is a year-long academic enrichment program that challenges students to conduct original historical research about topics of their choosing and presenting their findings in creative research projects. National History Day in Iowa is dedicated to creating a positive environment for all participants to showcase their work and receive feedback on their projects from judges at local and state contests. NHD in Iowa program coordinator, Ethan Atwell, will discuss what it takes to judge and how to support NHD students in their research. Presenter: Ethan Atwell, National History Day in Iowa Program Coordinator, State Historical Society of Iowa
March 16: Emergency Operations Planning 101
Planning is crucial to preparedness and a fundamental process for managing risk. An Emergency Operations Plan provides the framework for how an organization responds to a wide range of emergencies while clearly defining roles and responsibilities. This presentation covers the key components of developing a functional emergency operations plan, as well as strategies for updating and maintaining existing plans. Participants will gain a practical blueprint that can be adapted to meet the specific needs of their organization. Presenters: Bethanie Nix, Director of Security and Visitor Experience and Mickey Ryan, Director of Registration and Collections Management, Des Moines Art Center
April 20: Ask an Archivist
Ever wondered what an archivist actually does? This interactive Q&A offers a chance to ask an archivist your questions about archival work and everyday challenges. Bring real-life scenarios from your own organizations. Your curiosities about collections care, organization, access, or those tricky “what do we do with this?” moments. No question is too small, and practical discussion is encouraged. Presenter: Cheyenne Nordquist, MLIS, Archives Manager & Development Specialist, Museum of Danish America
Please contact Director@iowamuseums.org to access the recording of this IMA Plugged-In.
May 18: Suspicious Mail Identification and Response Training
Designed to improve workplace safety, this training covers how to identify suspicious mail, assess potential threats, and respond appropriately to unknown substances, explosive devices, and threatening correspondence. Through case studies and best-practice guidance, participants gain practical tools to reduce risk and strengthen mailroom security. Presenter: Jay Knox, Executive Director, Safeguard Iowa Partnership
June 15: Connecting, Progressing, and Supporting Preservation in Iowa
The Iowa Conservation and Preservation Consortium (ICPC) supports preservation and collections care across Iowa by connecting people, advancing practical knowledge, and strengthening statewide support systems. Guided by its mission to connect, progress, and support conservation and preservation activities among Iowa’s cultural heritage institutions, ICPC provides information and events that support sustainable collections care. Presenters: Amanda Latta, MLIS, CARST, Administrative Assistant, Iowa Conservation and Preservation Consortium and Julia Wells, Assistant Grand Librarian and Curator, Grand Lodge of Iowa Masonic Library and Museum.
July 20: Storytelling & Interpretation
Museums are full of interesting objects, artifacts, and information. How do you get visitors to slow down, notice and care? You find ways to connect these unknown objects to something they know! Join Laura Elfers, Program Director, Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area as she shares how to turn factual information into meaningful narratives that connect objects, ideas and audiences. Tips and resources on how storytelling enhances museum interpretation and visitor engagement will be shared.
Presenter: Laura Elfers, Program Director, Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area
August 17: Group Ready: Positioning Museums and Destinations for Motorcoach Success
Being “group ready” is essential for attracting motorcoach business. This presentation offers practical insights into group expectations, scheduling, pricing, and communication—helping museums and destinations align their offerings with the needs of tour operators and group travelers.
Presenter: Teddi Yaeger, Tourism & Marketing Manager, Madison County Chamber of Commerce
November 2: Best Practices for Collaborating with Creative Contractors
Successful museum projects depend on more than a strong idea. They require a productive partnership between museum teams and the creative contractors who help bring that idea to life. Greg Dietzenbach and Joe Oswald of McCullough Creative will be joined by Brandon Jens of the John Deere Pavilion to share perspectives from both sides of the working relationship. Using real-world examples, they will explore how to establish clear expectations, communicate effectively, navigate feedback and project changes, and build the trust necessary to create better outcomes. Attendees will leave with practical strategies they can apply when selecting, managing, and collaborating with outside creative partners. Presenters: Joseph Oswald, Director of Displays and Exhibits & Greg Dietzenbach, Creative Director, McCullough Creative and Brandon Jens, Branded Properties Manager, John Deere
November 16: Project Management Software
Project management software has become an essential tool for helping museums plan, collaborate, and stay on track. From exhibition development and collections projects to events, strategic planning, grant management, and daily operations, the right platform can improve communication, increase accountability, and streamline workflows. Panelists will share their experiences with selecting and implementing software, encouraging staff adoption, managing projects across teams, and identifying the features that provide the greatest value. Participants will leave with practical ideas, lessons learned, and resources to help their organizations work more efficiently. Panelists: Corrine Kroger, Vice President of Development & Advancement, National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium and Danette Priebe, Library Assistant III, University of Northern Iowa