We’re very much looking forward to seeing you at Mary Rose Museum for AIM Conference 2025.
All the information you need to help you get there and make the most of the event is below.
This page also includes details of how you can pre-book for the conference Masterclasses and breakout tours – please note, pre-booking for these events is essential.
Getting there
Take a look at the directions on the Mary Rose website for information on how to get to the museum. https://maryrose.org/visit/directions-parking/
The nearest train station is Portsmouth Harbour: a few minutes’ walk from the Historic Dockyard.
Registration
Registration will open from 9.30am – 10am on Wednesday 18 June at Boathouse 5
And on Thursday 19 June, registration will be open from 9am – 9.30am at Boathouse 5.
Please note, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard doesn’t open to the public until 9am and there will be strictly no access for delegates before 9am.
Masterclasses – pre-book your place
We’re pleased to introduce masterclasses to AIM Conference 2025. These 90 minute sessions will be interactive and will give you access to experts in their field where you can bring your challenges and get support and advice.
If you’d like to attend any of the masterclasses taking place on Wednesday and/or Thursday, you’ll need to pre-book your space. Places are limited and offered on a first come first served basis. Please note, these classes do take place over the lunch break, but you will have a chance to get something to eat before or after your class.
- Telling Your Story with Bloomberg Connects – FULLY BOOKED
Wednesday 18 June 12.45pm – 2.15pm
Alina Avasilichioaie, Partnerships Manager, Bloomberg Connects, Camilla Stewart, Deputy Chief Executive, Art UK and AIM Trustee, and Hazel Preston, Collections Content and Support Manager, Art UK
Join Bloomberg Connects and Art UK for a hands-on masterclass exploring how digital tools can bring your museum’s stories to life. Discover what makes great content, how to build engaging digital tours, and how to integrate them seamlessly into your visitor experience. Whether you’re starting from scratch or refining existing content, this session offers practical steps—through group work and real-world examples—to take your collections further, both online and on site.
Please note, this masterclass is now fully booked.
- Going Places: Resource-led approaches to community collaboration and reducing carbon emissions – FULLY BOOKED
Wednesday 18 June 12.45pm – 2.15pm
Gracie Divall, Going Places Project Manager, Art Fund, Dana Andrew, Professional Development Manager, The Exhibitions Group, and Laura Crossley, Director, Laura Crossley Consulting, CultureBloom, and AIM Trustee
Sharing insights and practical learnings from the Going Places development phase, this masterclass will consider approaches to community engagement and practical opportunities to reduce the environmental impact of exhibitions and loans. Taking an in depth look at two resources – both created in in collaboration with small – mid-sized museums across the UK – participants will:
- Consider purpose driven, resource-led approaches to community engagement, bespoke to your organisation and local communities.
- Identify opportunities to reduce costs, in conjunction with the reduction of carbon emissions, of exhibitions, displays and loans.
- Build confidence in applying these approaches in your day-to-day work.
Please note, this masterclass is now fully booked.
3. Ethical engagement with Global Majority histories and communities
Thursday 19 June 12.30pm – 2pm
Maya Sharma, Head of RACE Centre and Trust, Ahmed Iqbal Ullah RACE Centre and Education Trust
Join us for a relaxed and thought-provoking session, which will address both practical and strategic questions.
Hear about how Ahmed Iqbal Ullah RACE Centre & Education Trust approaches archive collecting and engagement work, through building sustained relationships with Global Majority communities. We’ll consider the principles and practicalities of ethical engagement work and share our approaches, experiences and questions.
You’ll come away with an understanding of the underpinning principles of ethical engagement work, as well as some practical ideas to take back to your heritage organisation.
Click here to book your place (opens in a new tab)4. Transforming Destinations – New challenges, new opportunities – FULLY BOOKED
Thursday 19 June 12.30pm – 2pm
Professor Terry Stevens
This masterclass will explore the importance of destination management and the role of key stakeholders (including independent museums) in creating appealing, efficient and sustainable destinations, with examples of international best practice.
Participants will hear an analysis of tourism trends, critical success factors and a deep dive into the creation of ‘great’ guest experiences. Expect the workshop to be challenging and demand a willingness to be innovative in taking ideas forward within your own organisation.
Please note, this masterclass is now fully booked.
Breakout tours – pre-book your place
There are three tours taking place on each day – including tours of the Mary Rose Museum, National Museum of the Royal Navy, and Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. If you’d like to take part in any of these, please do book your place in advance.
- Take a trip round Portsmouth Harbour on Landing Craft F8 – FULLY BOOKED
11.40am Wednesday 18 June
F8 was attached to HMS Fearless in the Falklands campaign of 1982, where she saw considerable action landing troops in San Carlos Water. F8 was built in 1959 and has a top speed of 10 knots.
Please note, this breakout tour runs into the first 15 minutes of lunch. Please ensure you make your way to the Mary Rose Museum after the tour to get your lunch.
Accessibility – there are access restrictions on F8, unfortunately we are unable to accommodate motorised wheelchairs or mobility scooters, but do have a specially adapted wheelchair visitors are able to transfer into. We can accommodate one passenger in a wheelchair per trip.
Please note, this breakout tour is now fully booked.
2. Victory Live: The big repair – FULLY BOOKED
11.40am Wednesday 18 June
An opportunity to visit the 10-year, £42million project to conserve HMS Victory. Tours will access the working scaffolding where shipwrights, conservators and archaeologists are working to develop and apply approaches to replacement of previous repairs and preservation of the ship’s historic fabric.
Please note, this breakout tour runs into the first 15 minutes of lunch. Please ensure you make your way to the Mary Rose Museum after the tour to get your lunch.
Attendees will be accessing a working construction site. Hard hats and safety boots will be provided, and those visiting must be able to access working scaffolding platforms.
Please note, this breakout tour is now fully booked.
3. Mary Rose Museum behind the scenes tour – FULLY BOOKED
2.25pm Wednesday 18 June
Take a look behind the scenes with a visit to the Mary Rose conservation facility. See close-up the on-going conservation and collections work plus those artefacts not on public display including a gun, with carriage, raised in the 1800s. Learn first-hand through this exclusive tour what it takes to care for the largest collection of Tudor artefacts anywhere in the world.
Please note, this tour runs into the first 15 minutes of the afternoon break. Please make your way to the expo to get a drink before the afternoon sessions begin.
Please note, this breakout tour is now fully booked.
4. Mary Rose Museum behind the scenes tour – FULLY BOOKED
11am Thursday 19 June
Take a look behind the scenes with a visit to the Mary Rose conservation facility. See close-up the on-going conservation and collections work plus those artefacts not on public display including a gun, with carriage, raised in the 1800s. Learn first-hand through this exclusive tour what it takes to care for the largest collection of Tudor artefacts anywhere in the world.
Please note, this tour starts 15 minutes before the end of the morning break. Please make your way to the Expo to get a drink promptly before joining the tour.
Please note, this breakout tour is now fully booked.
5. Take a trip round Portsmouth Harbour on Landing Craft F8 – FULLY BOOKED
2.55pm Thursday 19 June
F8 was attached to HMS Fearless in the Falklands campaign of 1982, where she saw considerable action landing troops in San Carlos Water. F8 was built in 1959 and has a top speed of 10 knots.
Accessibility – there are access restrictions on F8, unfortunately we are unable to accommodate motorised wheelchairs or mobility scooters, but do have a specially adapted wheelchair visitors are able to transfer into. We can accommodate one passenger in a wheelchair per trip.
Please note, this breakout tour is now fully booked.
6. Victory Live: The big repair – FULLY BOOKED
2.55pm Thursday 19 June
An opportunity to visit the 10-year, £42million project to conserve HMS Victory. Tours will access the working scaffolding where shipwrights, conservators and archaeologists are working to develop and apply approaches to replacement of previous repairs and preservation of the ship’s historic fabric.
Attendees will be accessing a working construction site. Hard hats and safety boots will be provided, and those visiting must be able to access working scaffolding platforms.
Please note, this breakout tour is now fully booked.
Getting the most out of conference
Catching up with colleagues and friends from across the sector and networking with other museum professionals is a key part of AIM Conference. Take a look at the delegate listing so you know who else is attending.
Click here for the delegate listing (opens in a new tab)The delegate handbook will be available at Reception on your arrival at AIM Conference, or you can download a copy at the link below:
Click here to download the delegate handbook (opens in a new tab)And if you haven’t been to AIM Conference before, we’ll be hosting a welcome for those attending for the first time on Wednesday morning so you’ll have a chance to meet other newbies.
If you’re from a global majority background and would like to meet up with other people from similar backgrounds, join Maya Sharma, Head of the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah RACE Centre and Education Trust for an informal meet up at the beginning of the conference. There will also be an opportunity to catch up at lunch time.
AIM AGM
The AIM Annual General meeting will be taking place at 11.15am on Wednesday 18 June. All AIM members are invited to attend and you can click here for the agenda and associated papers.
Please note, we’ll be using Mentimeter to take the register and votes, although paper options will be available if you don’t have a smartphone / access to the internet.
Filming and photography
Please note, the AIM team will be taking photographs during the day and evening social events. If you do not wish to be featured, please do tell a member of the AIM team.
Code of conduct
At AIM, we believe our events should be open to everyone, so we are committed to creating a friendly, safe, and welcoming environment for all. This way, we can have thought-provoking conversations. As an event participant, please be mindful to keep things positive and supportive. We do not tolerate any form of bullying, discrimination, or bad behaviour. If you see or experience a problem at an AIM event, please speak to one of the AIM team. Responses may include warnings, removal from the event, or further escalation if necessary.
Tuesday evening social
If you’re joining us for the social event on HMS Warrior on Tuesday 17 June, please meet at the gate to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard at 6pm. The AIM team will be there to meet you so just look out for us. We’ll need to check everyone in and then we’ll make our way to HMS Warrior.
The event will finish at 9pm.
Wednesday evening social
If you’re joining us for the social event at Mary Rose Museum on Wednesday 18 June, please meet at the gate to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard at 7pm. We’ll need to check everyone in then you can make your way to the Mary Rose Museum.
Last orders at 10.30pm, close at 11pm.
Please note, there is no access to the rest of Portsmouth Historic Dockyard site during this evening event.