Association of Children’s Museums meets in St. Louis

May 24, 2022

20220517_143145 — At the booth of Imagination Playground at ACM MarketPlace (2022, St Louis): Kellie Flury, Client Relations and Jim Stallman, Owner. The company's customizable block sets are manufactured in the US and are popular with museums, educational institutions and attractions.

InPark visited the ACM MarketPlace on 17 May 2022 – part of Interactivity, the annual gathering of the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM), held this year in St. Louis at St. Louis Union Station Hotel and hosted by The Magic House. The theme was “PLAY The Long Game” to explore ways that children’s museums can adapt to today’s dynamics while simultaneously preparing for the future.

Conference keynote Maxine Clark, founder and former chief executive of Build-A-Bear Workshop® provided insight on how entertainment, education and merchandising can come together to help children’s museums succeed in their missions as well as financially.

ACM presented its annual Great Friends to Kids Award to PBS KIDS, citing for outstanding impact on the lives of children, building knowledge, critical thinking, imagination, and curiosity.

At the JRA booth: Shawn McCoy, Executive VP and Mike Meyer, Sr. Project Director. This well-established design firm is active in museums, theme parks, zoos and attractions and was recently acquired under the umbrella of RWS Entertainment Group. “We’re busier than ever,” reports McCoy.

Started in 1962, ACM is a professional member organization for the children’s museum field now celebrating its 60^thAnniversary Year. ACM member museums and professionals are dedicated to early childhood play, and play-based learning, the starting point in the continuum of lifelong learning.

At the booth of Beaudry Interactive: Valeria Beaudry, Principal and Heidi Pinchal, Business Development. Active in museums and themed entertainment, the company’s recent work includes pioneering applications of gesture technology to interactive mascots and immersive live games.

The St. Louis area is home to many outstanding and unique museums. In addition to a full program of development sessions as well as the MarketPlace, ACM attendees were welcomed (with free admission) May 15-20 to The Magic House, CityGarden, Missouri Botanical Garden, Missouri History Museum, the Museum at the Gateway Arch, the National Blues Museum, St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station, St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis Science Center, Cardinals Hall of Fame and Museum, and the World Chess Hall of Fame, among others.