Agenda in progress. Check back for updates.
Agenda | Tuesday, December 2
3-5pm | Registration
Location: Hilton Franklin Cool Springs
Register and mix and mingle with fellow attendees
6-8pm | Welcome Reception
Location: Private residence; transportation provided
Reception and dinner
Agenda | Wednesday, December 3
7-8am | Registration and Breakfast
Location: Hilton Franklin Cool Springs
Register and join us for continental breakfast
8-8:15am | Welcome and Opening Remarks
Location: Hilton Franklin Cool Springs
Overview and goals of the Conference
Introduction to presenters and panelists, highlighting their background and contributions to the field
Tom Hand, Founder, Americana Corner
8:15-8:45am | Charting the Course
Location: Hilton Franklin Cool Springs
Strategic Planning: A roadmap guiding decision-making and resource allocation to ensure sustained growth and success
Presenter | Mary Manges, Executive Director, Fort Ligonier
9-9:45am | Fortifying Foundations
Location: Hilton Franklin Cool Springs
Recruiting board members for function and funding; donor cultivation; enhancing friends groups
Panelists:
Anthony Hodges, Tennessee Civil War Preservation Association
Chuck Laudner, Strategic Consultant, American Battlefield Trust
Jennifer Martin, Executive Director, Friends of Washington Crossing Park, PA
Moderated by Tom Hand, Americana Corner
10-10:45am | Funding the Framework
Location: Hilton Franklin Cool Springs
Fundraising –– what works for one doesn’t work for all
Explore individual giving, corporate sponsorships, foundation funding, government grants and partnerships, event-based contributions, peer-to-peer fundraisers, in-kind donations, and the vital role of volunteers
Panelists:
Bess M. Averett, Executive Director, Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park and Campaign
David Duncan, President, American Battlefield Trust
Mary Manges, Executive Director, Fort Ligonier
Moderated by Tom Hand, Americana Corner
11-12:45pm | Lunch and “Hard Hat Tour”
Location: Carter House; transportation provided.
Presenter | Eric Jacobson, President, Battle of Franklin Trust
1-1:45pm | Marketing Historic Sites in a Digital Age
Location: Hilton Franklin Cool Springs
Using digital resources to promote your mission: content and digital marketing; website management and social media strategy
Presenter | Lawrence Swiader, Chief Digital Officer, American Battlefield Trust
Panelists:
Steve T. Phan, Camp Nelson (KY) National Monument
Larry Swiader, Chief Digital Officer, American Battlefield Trust
Matthew Wedd, Executive Director, Conococheague Institute
Moderated by Tom Hand, Americana Corner
2-2:45pm | Bridging Bonds
Location: Hilton Franklin Cool Springs
Developing strong relationships with media, Chamber of Commerce, tourism boards, and local civic groups, and the importance of partnering with and sharing knowledge among other historical sites and organizations to promote mutual growth and visibility
Panelists:
Bess M. Averett, Executive Director, Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park and Campaign
Jim Campi, Chief Policy and Communications Officer, American Battlefield Trust
Matthew Wedd, Executive Director, Conococheague Institute
Moderated by Tom Hand, Americana Corner
3-3:45pm | Developing Your Leadership Team
Location: Hilton Franklin Cool Springs
Strategies and practices for cultivating an effective leadership team for your organization, converting talented volunteers into leaders, and creating a transition process that ensures the organization will build on your successes after you are gone.
Panelists:
Chuck Laudner, Strategic Consultant, American Battlefield Trust
Jim Lighthizer, President Emeritus, American Battlefield Trust
Mary Manges, Executive Director, Fort Ligonier
Moderated by Tom Hand, Americana Corner
4-4:45pm | Breakout Groups
Location: Hilton Franklin Cool Springs
Recap the day’s discussion with your peers and get assistance from group leaders to develop your plan of action
6:30-8pm | Reception, Dinner and Keynote
Location: Hilton Franklin Cool Springs
Join us for dinner and an opportunity to connect with peers, presenters, and Conference staff. The evening will feature a keynote presentation, Preserving the Franklin Battlefield, by Jim Lighthizer, President Emeritus, American Battlefield Trust.
Agenda | Thursday, December 4
7-8am | Continental Breakfast
Location: Hilton Franklin Cool Springs
8-8:45am | Teaching History in the 21st Century
Location: Hilton Franklin Cool Springs
Discover strategies for making history engaging and accessible for students and the public. Learn about developing educational programs, creating impactful exhibits and signage, and designing interactive tours and living history programs to enhance understanding and foster connections to the past.
Panelists:
Steve T. Phan, Camp Nelson (KY) National Monument
Larry Swiader, Chief Digital Officer, American Battlefield Trust
Matthew Wedd, Executive Director, Conococheague Institute
Moderated by Tom Hand, Americana Corner
9-9:45am | Connecting Communities
Location: Hilton Franklin Cool Springs
Quality vs. Quantity
Engage the local community by organizing events, workshops, festivals, and programs; collaborate with local businesses, food vendors, artisans, reenactors to enhance the overall experience
Panelists:
Bess M. Averett, Executive Director, Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park and Campaign
Jennifer Martin, Executive Director, Friends of Washington Crossing Park, PA
Steve T. Phan, Camp Nelson (KY) National Monument
Moderated by Tom Hand, Americana Corner
10-10:45am | Breakout Groups
Location: Hilton Franklin Cool Springs
Recap the day’s discussion with your peers and get assistance from group leaders to develop your plan of action
11-11:45am | Big Picture Planning
Location: Hilton Franklin Cool Springs
Strategies and practices for cultivating relationships with public officials and relevant government entities, generating long-term financial support for organization in a consistent and reliable manner, and how to effectively craft and run a successful capital campaign.
Panelists:
Jim Campi, Chief Policy and Communications Officer, American Battlefield Trust
David Duncan, President, American Battlefield Trust
Anthony Hodges, Tennessee Civil War Preservation Association
Moderated by Tom Hand, Americana Corner
12-1:15pm | Lunch and Group Presentation
Location: Hilton Franklin Cool Springs
Utilize time for breakout groups to briefly share their best ideas for “Pursuing excellence in fundraising” at their battlefield park or historic site.
Moderated by David Duncan, American Battlefield Trust
1:30-2:15pm | Preserving America Grant Program and American Battlefield Trust Park Day
Location: Hilton Franklin Cool Springs
Presenter | Tom Hand, Creator and Publisher, Americana Corner and Jim Campi, Chief Policy and Communications Officer, American Battlefield Trust
