Annual Symposium 

HNSA schedules a fleet- and member-wide Symposium each year to renew networks and provide a forum for sharing best practices or new ideas across a wide spectrum of interests in the historic ship/museum world. HNSA members and patrons from around the world attend.

HNSA, through our sponsors, is pleased to offer scholarships to make it easier for more Students, Staff and Volunteers to attend. INFORMATION ON SCHOLARSHIPS. (Applications due August 1 of each year.)

Potential Corporate Sponsors should contact the Executive Director (phone ‭(866) 877-6262‬, ext 202) for more information about sponsoring our 2024 Symposium in San Diego on the USS Midway.

Call for Presentations

We are currently accepting presentations proposals through May 24, 2024. If you have a topic you would like to present on this September on board USS Midway please send them to [email protected] before the cutoff date so we can put together a schedule of presentations. 

 

(Scroll down for links to past conference sessions)

NEXT UP: 2024 - San Diego, CA (USS Midway) 

We're expecting a tremendous gathering from September 16-19, 2024 in San Diego on one of the queens of our fleet, the aircraft carrier USS Midway.

Stay tuned for more info on schedules and hotel options. Start your planning now! 

If you have input on how to improve our symposium or specifically about topics to discuss or even potential sponsors, please contact our Executive Director at [email protected].

 Frequently Asked Questions:

 Is HNSA Symposium for people who do my job? 

Yes! Everyone from executive directors and board presidents to volunteers and even folks not associated with a museum ship have fun at HNSA. The symposium is a great place to network and meet experts in the field. There is a trade show for our industry affiliates to show off the products they have that support running a museum ship. Folks have come to HNSA meetings to pass their resumes around, to meet their peers, discuss best practices, and to learn what's happening in the field. 

Is there a dress code? 

The banquet is an informal event (business informal) however the rest of the symposium is casual. Many of us wear our work polos or other clothes that represent our ships. 

Are meals provided? 

Yes, we usually provide light breakfast Tues-Thurs, lunch Tues-Thurs, appetizers at dinner Mon and Wed, and full dinners Tues and Thurs for registrants.

What if I have dietary concerns? 

Let us know and we will do everything in our power to accommodate you. 

Who is eligible for a scholarship? 

Anyone can apply. We want the Symposium and the information we share to be as accessible as possible. Preference will be given to emerging professionals, people who have never been before, and people who would not otherwise be able to attend. In past years, we have been able to provide scholarships for the majority of applicants.

Can I bring my spouse/partner? 

Yes. There is a guest rate which assumes your partner will not attend the working sessions; however, they are welcome to join us at all the evening meals and after-hours events. Or you can just purchase an extra ticket for the after-hours events if they have other plans for most of the time.

Do I have to be a member to register? 

No. Anyone is welcome to attend.

What if my ship/museum/job isn't a member, what if I'm not in the field? 

You are still more than welcome to attend and see what HNSA has to offer.

I'm interested in visiting one of the ships near the Symposium site but don't know anyone there, how do I reach out? 

Send an email to [email protected] and I can put you in touch with someone at the museum you are interested in attending.

Past Conferences 

2023 - Albany, New York (USS Slater):

CLICK for Albany 2023 Presentations

We were excited to hold the 2023 Historic Naval Ships Association (HNSA) Conference in Albany, New York, hosted by the Destroyer Escort Historical Museum (USS Slater) from Monday, September 18 through Thursday, September 21. (Our registration links are now inactive.) 

2022 - Honolulu, Hawaii (USS Missouri) 

Hosted by the Battleship Missouri Memorial Tuesday, September 13 through Friday, September 16 in the heart of Waikiki at the Hilton Waikiki Beach. To access the conference presentations for Members, go to this link 

Hawaii 2022 Presentations

2021 - Mobile, Alabama (USS Alabama) 

Hosted by the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park from 22-25 September. To access the conference presentations for Members, go to this link: 

Alabama 2021 Presentations

2020 - not held for COVID

2019 - Manitowoc, Wisconsin (USS Cobia at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum)

2018 - Puget Sound, Washington (USS Turner Joy)