2025 Virtual Conference
Together We Thrive: Community & Collaboration
Our 2025 Virtual Conference theme acknowledges that when people and communities come together to collaborate on programs and projects that inspire creativity and learning, all people, in communities of all shapes and sizes, can thrive.
In alignment with the Office of the Under Secretary for Education, our Virtual Conference continues the theme explored at the National Education Summit in July 2025—Together We Thrive: One Nation, Indivisible.” We will expand on the Education Summit’s exploration of transformative moments throughout history in anticipation of the semi-quincentennial, to thinking about how our partners and collaborators are planning beyond 2026 to reach audiences and learners everywhere. Through these topic areas, drawn from the SITES | Affiliations and Smithsonian strategic plans, we hope to come together to share our collective work with Smithsonian and Affiliate colleagues.
2025 Topic areas:
- Digital: Exploring together to reach audiences everywhere, focusing on impactful digital experiences.
- Education: Embracing collaborative and transformative learning for everyone.
- Creativity: Projects and ideas that power creativity, innovation, critical thinking and creative problem solving.
- Community: Building and sustaining lasting relationships, fostering flexibility and resilience to strengthen our shared future.
Virtual Attendee Hub
The Attendee Hub will be your day-to-day home base for engaging with the Virtual Conference. In the Hub you’ll access sessions, view and download session resources, and watch recordings of any sessions you missed.
Registered attendees will receive access to the Virtual Attendee Hub with their conference registration. If you do not receive the password, please email affiliates@si.edu. Registration will open in June 2025.
Conference FAQs
How are sessions and workshops for the virtual conference developed and planned?
When planning a virtual conference, Affiliate and Smithsonian colleagues are typically invited to submit session proposals. In addition to submitted proposals, Affiliations staff reviews all topic suggestions made by Affiliates through conversations with their National Outreach Managers and past conference evaluation forms to make sure a robust and informative conference is developed.
Who can attend an Affiliations Conference?
Smithsonian Affiliations conference opportunities are for current Affiliates and Smithsonian staff only.
If you are interested in becoming an Affiliate, please visit our Applying for Affiliation pages. If you have an application in progress and would like to attend the Conference, please contact us.
If you are a Smithsonian intern, fellow, contractor or volunteer, please email us to check if you can register- affiliates@si.edu.
What is included in registration cost?
Typically, the conference registration fee entitles you to full access to the entire conference, including special sessions, general sessions, and any special events (pre-registration for special events may be required). Note some meetings may be exclusive to Affiliate and Smithsonian leadership and/or by invite only.
What is the registration refund policy?
Cancellation requests or attendee substitutions are generally accepted until 2 weeks before the event begins. No refunds will be granted after that time. All requests must be made in writing via email to affiliates@si.edu.
What sort of accessibility accommodations are provided?
Virtual conference sessions offer live, CART captioning and transcription.
If you would like to request additional accommodations, please contact affiliates@si.edu. Two weeks advance notice is appreciated for requesting additional accommodations.
Session Proposals
Please read the Session Proposal Guidelines as you consider submitting a proposal.
The deadline to submit a proposal is May 19, 2025, 5 p.m. Eastern Time.
Registration Fees:
Registration includes all conference days. There are no single day or single session options.
Affiliate Institution $150
Institutional registration must include at least 3 staff, up to 12.
Affiliate Staff $75
Individual registration, not part of a group.
Speaker $50
Speakers may join their session at no cost. If speakers are interested in joining any additional sessions, speaker registration will apply. Affiliate speakers are encouraged to take advantage of the Affiliate Institution rate.
Smithsonian Staff- Free
Affiliate Executive Leadership Meetings only- Free
Executive Leadership meetings are only for executive level staff at Affiliate organizations and invited Smithsonian guests.
QUESTIONS?
Payment questions:
Please email affiliates@si.edu
All other conference questions:
Elizabeth Fingar
FingarE@si.edu
The Smithsonian Affiliations National Conference is for current Smithsonian Affiliates and Smithsonian staff members only. If you are interested in learning more about a Smithsonian Affiliation, please visit our Applying for Affiliation pages.
