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Conference FAQs
Can I access the conference online?
Yes, online tickets are available priced at £80+VAT. Your ticket will give you access to all the main conference sessions and the breakout session taking place in the main room (unfortunately you won’t be able to choose a breakout session as we won’t have broadcast technology in each room).
Click here to buy an online ticket>>
Is AIM Conference just for those working in independent museums?
AIM Conference is open to everyone working in the museum and heritage sector. We’ve designed the programme to be full of practical advice and inspiration regardless of the nature of your organisation or specific job role. Plus there will be plenty of time for networking within the conference schedule and at the social events.
We do have a limited number of bursaries available for AIM members to help towards the cost of attending conference. There’s more information on how to apply further down this page.
I haven’t been to AIM Conference before, what can I expect?
The AIM team will be hosting a welcome for those attending AIM Conference for the first time on Thursday morning so you’ll have a chance to meet other newbies.
The delegate list will be published on the AIM website ahead of the event so you’ll know who else is attending.
Watch the video at the bottom of this page to hear from 2022 delegates.
We do have a limited number of bursaries available for AIM members to help towards the cost of attending conference. There’s more information on how to apply below.
Bursaries
This year we are offering 15 bursary tickets to attend AIM National Conference. The bursary will provide a ticket to attend both days and the Thursday evening social. In addition bursary applicants can request funding of up to £150 towards accommodation and travel costs associated with attending the conference.
Click here to find out more and make a bursary application>>
Will there be coaches available?
No, there will be no coach transport available at this year’s conference. As we’re in a city centre venue within walking distance of plenty of hotels and with public transport available, it isn’t practical to offer coach transport around the city. And not offering coaches also enables us to keep ticket prices down and make the conference more eco-friendly.
Accessibility
The conference venue is fully accessible with ramp access, a lift to the first floor, and hearing loops available.
To make AIM Conference more accessible to more people, we’ve added an online option this year. Online tickets are available priced at £80+VAT. Click here to buy an online ticket>>
If you have any particular access requirements that you’d like to make us aware of, you can let us know when you purchase your ticket(s). Or you can email us on aimadmin@aim-museums.co.uk.
What is AIM doing to make the conference more sustainable?
The AIM team is conscious of the environmental impact of our activity and is working to reduce the impact of the conference.
- We’ve deliberately chosen a city centre venue, which is easily accessible by public transport.
- The menu for lunches during conference and for our social events will be vegetarian and vegan.
- Please feel free to bring your own reusable cups and / or water bottles as you’ll be able to use these for drinks during the conference.
- We’re encouraging exhibitors to reduce giveaways and literature.
- There will still be a printed delegate handbook but we’ll be collecting these as delegates leave so we can recycle them. And we’ll be reusing the holders and lanyards for delegate badges from last year’s conference and collecting these at the end to reuse again in 2024.
Where can I find out more about the venue?
Surgeons Quarter is conveniently located in Edinburgh city centre just a short walk from Waverley train station. All the conference sessions and the dinner on Thursday evening will be taking place in the Quincentenary Conference Centre, which will be signposted as you arrive at Surgeons Quarter and is fully accessible.
Surgeons Quarter
Nicolson Street
Edinburgh
EH8 9DW
Click here to visit the Surgeons Quarter website>>
What else can I do while I’m in Edinburgh?
There are lots of great museums and heritage venues in and around Edinburgh. If you’d like to take a look at the AIM members in the area, then click here to view the membership map>>
How long will early bird tickets be on sale?
Early bird tickets will be available until 28 April. Tickets will still be available after this and prices will be:
- Thursday and Friday for AIM members (conference only, excl social events): £260+VAT
- Thursday only for AIM members: £135+VAT
- Friday only for AIM members: £135+VAT
Ticket sales will close two weeks before the conference on 1 June.
Can I pay by invoice?
Yes, there is the option to pay by invoice within Eventbrite.
Please note, that Eventbrite will send an auto-generated invoice with your ticket confirmation email, but please wait to receive an invoice from AIM which will include the correct payment details.
Refund policy
If after buying your ticket(s), you find you’re no longer able to attend AIM Conference 2023, the following refund policies apply:
- 100% refund until one month before the event (15 May 2023)
- 50% refund until two weeks before (1 June 2023)
- No refunds available if less than two weeks before the event
- 100% refund if you can’t attend because you have COVID.
If you’d like to request a refund, please contact us on aimadmin@aim-museums.co.uk as soon as you can and let us know the name and organisation on the booking.
Alternatively, if you’d like to transfer your ticket to a colleague, please contact us on the above email address and let us know the new name for the booking.