The HNSA 2024 Annual Symposium will take place
September 16 - 19, 2024
aboard the iconic USS Midway Museum in San Diego, CA!
HNSA 2024 will focus on ideas to advance the guest experience across the historic ship/museum world. The conference will offer an opportunity to explore best practices, new strategies, operations, programs, collaborations, and technologies that will shape the visitor experience across large and small organizations.
2024 Host Hotel
The Wyndham San Diego Bayside is this year's HNSA Annual Symposium host hotel. Located right along N. Harbor Drive and only an 8-minute walk from the USS Midway Museum, the Wyndham is the perfect place for HNSA 2024 attendees to relax, learn, and network.
For HNSA 2024 attendees, the Wyndham offers rooms at a discounted rate of $259/night.
Book your room by August 16, 2024, with PROMO CODE: 091524USS to secure the special rate.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR ROOM
Rates increase after this date.
Scholarships
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 are due August 1, 2024.
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 STILL accepting session proposals. We urgently need speakers or panels for the following topics:
INSPIRE Topics
Volunteers / Community Outreach / Guest Experiences / Curatorial Discoveries
ENTERTAIN Topics
Marketing Techniques / Event Planning / Fundraising Strategies
EDUCATE Topics
Educational Programs / Preservation Techniques / HAM Radio Education
If you have a topic you would like to present at the HNSA 2024 Symposium, please send an email to [email protected] or submit your idea via this Google Form: https://forms.gle/cdkDW5znx2nMzNfD6
The deadline to submit a session proposal is Friday, July 26, 2024
(Scroll down for links to past conference sessions)
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 will provide light breakfast and lunch Tues-Thurs. We will offer heavy appetizers Mon. Tuesday is an off-site dinner, Wednesday is dinner on your own, and Thursday is our Closing Ceremony Dinner. All (except Wed dinner) are included in the general registration fee.
What if I have dietary concerns?
Please share your dietary needs in the registration process or by emailing [email protected] and we will do everything we can 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 that assumes your partner will not attend the working sessions but allows them to attend all the evening meals and after-hours events (included in the full registration fee). You can also 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.
Past Conferences
2023 - Albany, New York (USS Slater)
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
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:
2020 - Not held for COVID
2019 - Manitowoc, Wisconsin (USS Cobia at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum)
2018 - Puget Sound, Washington (USS Turner Joy)
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