The Sector Support Zone brought together many of the sector’s key organisations and networks who were on hand to offer advice, guidance and support at the 2026 show. Below, you will see what our sector partners did at the 2026 show: exhibiting, presenting or hosting a networking session. Further information about the programme of talks and networking sessions that took place can be viewed on the programme.
Drop-in at stand A12 and meet the Arts Marketing Association team to chat through your marketing mishaps, chew over your communications challenges and get advice for your audience development dilemmas. We’re here to be a friendly sounding board; signposting resources and helping support you to put your audiences at the heart of your heritage organisation.
Wednesday only
Stand A12
Marketing, Communications and Audiences
Wednesday 13th, 14:00-14:45, Ambience Networking Lounge
VIEW PROGRAMME
The Association for Heritage Interpretation (AHI) is the UK professional network for interpreters working in the field of natural and cultural heritage. We promote excellence in practice and provision to provide engaging visitor experiences across the museum and heritage sector. Come and visit us for expert advice on interpretation and to discuss the benefits of membership of the AHI.
Thursday only
Stand A12
Creating engaging exhibitions, hosted along with TEG, The Exhibitions Group
Thursday 14th, 11:00-11:45, Ambience Networking Lounge
AIM represents, connects and strengthens the UK’s independent museums and heritage organisations.
Thursday only
Stand A11
From Fragile to Flourishing: Museum operating models in an uncertain world
Theatre 1, 15:45-15:55, Thursday 14th
Both Days
Stand B8
Our aim is to champion the essential role commercial activities play in sustaining the cultural sector. We provide training and networking opportunities to promote commercial best practice, and facilitate the sharing of knowledge and experience in order to help arts, cultural and heritage organisations maximise their existing income streams and identify new ones.
Both Days
Stand A9
Chairing Theatre 1 on Thursday 14th May
Boosting growth: Trading and commerce
Thursday 14th, 12:00-12:45 at the Ambience Networking Lounge
We provide research, insight and data driven tools which help our clients and stakeholders adapt for and with their audiences
Wednesday only
Stand A13
Collections Trust helps museums work with the information that connects collections and audiences. Our standards and advice are used around the world to make museum collections accessible. We help shape the documentation standards used in many countries, always in step with wider information management developments.
Thursday only
Stand A10
GEM supports everyone who delivers learning in museums, heritage sites and cultural settings to connect and learn together. Meet with museum learning colleagues to share experiences, seek advice and hear about professional development opportunities tailored to your career.
Both days
Stand A8
Chairing Theatre 3 on Thursday 14 May
Connecting and learning together
Wednesday 13 May, 11:00-11:45, Ambience Networking Lounge
The Heritage Alliance is a membership body, which represents the independent heritage movement in England. It has a unique role, promoting the sector in all its diversity and fostering connections and skills to catalyse its long-term resilience.
Wednesday only
Stand A11
Our mission is to help you unlock the power of volunteering through collaboration and sharing best practice. We support inclusive volunteering practice across the cultural and heritage sector. Come and say hi, ask us a question and we can signpost next steps. HVG is a membership organisation, we are free to join.
Wednesday only
Stand A15
ICOM UK is the national branch of ICOM in the United Kingdom. It is a gateway to the global museum community and the only UK museum association with a dedicated international focus. It offers access to 20,000 museums in 172 countries, 32,000 museum colleagues throughout the world and 31 professional committees.
Thursday only
Stand A15
Icon (the Institute of Conservation) is a charitable company working to safeguard cultural heritage. Icon is also the professional membership body for the conservation profession.
Wednesday only
Stand A10
The Conservator’s perspective: Caring for collections today
Wednesday 13th, 13:00-13:45, Ambience Networking Lounge
Kids in Museums supports museums, galleries and heritage sites across the UK to be great places for children, young people and families to visit. We offer a Manifesto and free tools to implement it, an annual Award for the most family friendly museum in the UK, 100+ free online resources, a Family Café Standard, and training for museum staff.
Thursday only
Stand A13
The Museums Association is the professional association for museums and heritage sites in the UK. We are a membership organisation with 60,000 contacts in 7,000 organisations. Our members join us because we offer them professional information, advice on how to run their organisations, and free entry to museums, galleries and exhibitions. We advocate for museums, set ethical standards, run essential training, professional development and an annual conference and exhibition. Visit our stand and receive a 20% discount on membership.
Both Days
Stand V5
VIEW PROGRAMME
We are expert advisers in information and records management and are a cultural, academic and heritage institution. We fulfil a leadership role for the archive sector and work to secure the future of physical and digital records.
Wednesday only
Stand A14
The Queer Heritage and Collections Network (QHCN) was founded in May 2020 to increase the understanding of, access to and engagement with LGBTQ+ heritage. We are a Subject Specialist Network with more than 70 institutional members across all nations and regions of the UK.
The Exhibitions Group, formerly ‘Touring Exhibitions Group’ is a non-profit membership and sector support organisation, dedicated to supporting the cultural sector to tour exhibitions. We undertake research and advocate for a better understanding of the benefits of touring, offer a range of professional development opportunities and networking events.
Thursday only
Stand A14
Creating engaging exhibitions, Hosted along with AHI, the Association for Heritage Interpretation
Thursday 14th, 11:00-11:45 at the Ambience Networking Lounge
