Storyland Locations Sponsors the 2026 American Alliance of Museums Annual Meeting

Storyland Locations is proud to announce its sponsorship of the 2026 American Alliance of Museums (AAM) Annual Meeting — one of the museum community’s most significant global gatherings of leaders, practitioners, and cultural institutions.

AAM champions equitable, impactful, and community-focused museums by connecting people, fostering learning, and nurturing excellence across the sector. Representing more than 35,000 museums and museum professionals worldwide, AAM works to “better our communities, and our world, through collaborative human‑centered experiences, education, and connection to histories, cultures, the natural world, and one another.”

Each year, the AAM Annual Meeting brings together museum professionals from around the world to share research, operational insight, and new approaches to public engagement. The event serves as a vital forum for exploring how museums continue to evolve as spaces for learning, storytelling, and community connection.

Working in partnership with Storyland Studios, Storyland Locations brings exhibits and environments to life through a uniquely strategic and creative approach.

“At Storyland, we start by listening,” said Ben Thompson, CEO of Storyland Locations. “We collaborate closely with museums and science centers to understand who they are at their core. From there, we carefully match stories and intellectual property that complement and reinforce their vision, while also thinking deeply about how those stories best serve the public.”

Storyland Studios is a multi-disciplinary design firm that believes in the power of story to create transformative experiences, experiences that engage guests’ emotions and connect us to something bigger. We work across the Theme Entertainment space, uncovering and developing unique stories that build incredible experiences

Story is especially vital in museums, where visitors often encounter ideas, objects, or cultures for the first time. Whether exploring art, science, history, or global perspectives, story is the thread that connects us to place, time, and one another. Storyland is passionate about collaborating with museums to create experiences that inspire lifelong curiosity and personal transformation.

“We work side by side with our clients to craft experiences that are authentic, intentional, and aligned with their mission,” said Mel McGowan, Chief Creative Officer, Storyland Studios. “Every touchpoint can be designed to deliver emotional resonance — supporting the AAM’s commitment to connection, learning, and community.”

Storyland Locations’ sponsorship of the 2026 Annual Meeting reflects its ongoing commitment to the museum and cultural sector. By aligning storytelling, design, and intellectual property with each institution’s purpose and audience, Storyland Locations helps museums strengthen their impact and deepen public engagement.

By supporting AAM in 2026, Storyland adds its voice to the wider mission of championing museums as essential community infrastructure — spaces that preserve culture, spark dialogue, and support lifelong learning.

We look forward to connecting with museum leaders, partners, and collaborators at the 2026 AAM Annual Meeting this May.

Registration for the 2026 AAM Annual Meeting is now open.

For examples of Storyland’s previous museum work and immersive visitor experiences, visit the team’s recent projects: Poverty Encounter, an engaging narrative environment designed to deepen empathy and spark conversation about economic justice; the Auburn–Opelika Visitor Experience, a story-driven cultural gateway celebrating regional identity and community heritage; Unclaimed Baggage, an inventive experiential retail environment that weaves narrative and place into discovery; and Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, a globally recognized touring exhibition that brings one of history’s most compelling stories to life through immersive storytelling and authentic artifacts.