Sustaining Engagement After Commemorations - Live Webinar

Webinar Description

Commemorations and anniversaries are powerful tools for raising awareness, building partnerships, and generating community excitement. Particularly in 2026, the 250th anniversary of 1776, many sites are planning exhibits, events, and projects focused on this date. But what happens after the anniversary when the spotlight fades? Without intentional planning, organizations often experience post-commemoration fatigue as partnerships dissolve, exhibits sit unused, and public attention shifts elsewhere.

This session explores how museums, heritage areas, and community partners can transform commemorative moments into long-term engagement strategies. Drawing on real-world experience with initiatives such as the War of 1812 Bicentennial and the 50th anniversary of the C&O Canal, heritage tourism strategist Heidi Schlag will share practical approaches for extending the life of anniversary investments. The session will provide a framework for shifting from one-time celebration planning to sustained place-based engagement.

Details

DATE: June 11, 2026

TIME: 3:00 - 4:15 pm EASTERN (Remember to adjust for your time zone)

COST: $25 members/$45 nonmembers

ACCESS: You will be provided with instructions on how to access the live event upon registration.

Learning Outcomes

During this webinar, participants will learn to:

• Identify common challenges that occur after major commemorations and understand why engagement often drops once anniversary programming ends.
• Apply strategies to extend the life of commemorative investments, including exhibits, interpretive materials, and marketing assets.
• Design visitor experiences that connect multiple sites and stories, encouraging deeper exploration of a place beyond a single event or institution.
• Develop approaches for sustaining partnerships and audience relationships after a commemorative campaign concludes.

Recording and Captioning

We will record this event. Captioning is provided for the live event.

Connecting the Content

This webinar will especially help organizations enrolled in STEPS address multiple standards under the Interpretation and Audience sections of the STEPS program.

The Standards and Excellence Program for History Organizations (STEPS) from AASLH is a self-study, self-paced assessment tool designed specifically for small- to mid-sized history organizations, including volunteer-run institutions. Through a workbook, online resources, and an online community, organizations enrolled in STEPS review their policies and practices and benchmark themselves against national standards.

Having issues registering? Please contact learn@aaslh.org

Please note AASLH's Notetaking Tools Policy: During webinars and online courses, the use of any AI notetaking tools such as meeting assistants is prohibited to ensure the confidentiality and security of the discussion. Our sessions are automatically recorded and transcribed for participants. AI tools will be removed from events by AASLH staff if they appear. Please contact us at learn@aaslh.org if you need to use AI tools for accessibility reasons.

How to Register for this Event

Cancellation/Refunds for onsite workshops must be submitted in writing via email to learn@aaslh.org or mail to 2021 21st Ave S., Suite 320 Nashville, TN 37212. Cancellations made prior to the early-bird registration deadline date will receive a full refund. Cancellations made between the early-bird deadline date and eight days prior to the workshop will be subject to a $55 processing/materials charge. No refunds will be given within seven days of the workshop date. AASLH is not responsible for cancellations that were mailed or emailed but never received.

Cancellations/Refunds for online professional development (webinars and online courses) must be submitted in writing via email to learn@aaslh.org or mail to 2021 21st Ave S., Suite 320 Nashville, TN 37212. Cancellations made prior to the start date for the online course or the day of the webinar will be given a full refund. No refund will be given after the start date for the online course or on/after the day of the webinar. Registrants may transfer their registration to another person. Registrations cannot be transferred between courses or course sessions. AASLH is not responsible for cancellations that were mailed or emailed but never received.

If you have any questions, please contact AASLH Professional Development staff at learn@aaslh.org or 615-320-3203.