LMME Conference 2026: Building Skills, Building Community

The Lower Mainland Museum Educators (LMME), with support from Burnaby Village Museum and Burnaby Art Gallery, are pleased to present the 2026 LMME Conference - Building Skills, Building Community on June 15 2026.

This one day conference is a low-cost gathering for staff, volunteers, and others interested in informal education. It includes a keynote panel, presentations and tours, and opportunities to connect and network. Check out the "speakers" and "agenda" sections below for full descriptions of our panels and community sessions. You will be prompted to select your choice of session on the registration page.

Theme objectives:

• Networking and building a community
• Learning new skills and learning from each other

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Is this conference for me? Yes!

Whether you are new to museums/galleries/libraries/archives/parks/interpretation/ programming/informal education, or have been working in our sector for years, there is something for you. The conference aims to expand your professional development through new skills, networking, community-building and inspiration. You'll bring new ideas, new connections, and a refreshed approach to your work, school, or volunteering.

How do I get support from my workplace or school to attend this conference?

We suggest you have a discussion with your supervisor (or equivalent) to talk about how this conference is relevant to your work/volunteering/studies. There will be presenters from many stages of careers, different types of museums and organizations, and walks of life. Since our focus is local to the lower mainland, the connections you make today will be helpful in your future work, expanding your community.

Ask your workplace if you can use paid work time to attend (or count towards your volunteer time). You can ask if registration fees can be covered by your work/school/organization budget. If fees are a barrier to you, connect with us at [email protected] to discuss a discounted registration fee.

There is a breadth of knowledge and experience in the Lower Mainland’s education sector. This conference depends on our community to participate. Each organization and the individuals within them bring unique perspectives, expertise, ideas, and solutions to the table. We encourage early-career staff and young professionals to register, as the LMME Conference is a supportive and welcoming place to gain experience and confidence before attending larger conferences.

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Thank you to our volunteer organizers, and to our hosts: Burnaby Village Museum (https://www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca/) and Burnaby Art Gallery (https://burnabyartgallery.ca/)!

All photos are from our 2025 LMME conference, hosted by the museums, gardens, galleries, and libraries at UBC. Icons are used from https://thenounproject.com/

Info: Register and get settled for the day. Light refreshments will be provided.

Info: Check out the Speakers section for full descriptions. Your choice of session led by members of our community on various topics, you can select your choice of session during registration.

Info: Enjoy a ride on the Carousel, share lunch as a group, and continue conversations from the morning.

Info: Enjoy a tour of the Burnaby Village Museum, Burnaby Art Gallery, or spend time exploring museum kits. Note that the Museum Kit exploration will take place in one room and may be the best choice for those who need a mid-day mobility break or would prefer to stay in one location.

Info: Join us on the veranda for light snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. This social finishes up the day and gives space to continue conversations and make connections. LMME volunteers will be on-hand to help facilitate networking for those of you who are new to the area, our sector, and/or conferences in general. A variety of snack options will be available to meet most dietary needs.

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Host or Publisher Lower Mainland Museum Educators (LMME)