OMA 2026 Professional Fellowship Blog - Jennifer Bornemann
The Ohio Museums Association is committed to connecting and empowering museum professionals at all stages of their career, and we recognize how important professional development events like conferences are in advancing careers. We also know not everyone that works in museums have professional development opporutnities built into their personal or institutional budget.
For our 2026 OMA Annual Conference, OMA was very proud to offer current museum professionals fellowships to attend OMA 2026 in Columbus.
Today, we're continuing our 2026 Conference series with a post from Jennifer Bornemann - one of our 2026 Conference Professional Fellows! Jennifer serves on the board for Friends of White Water Shaker Village located in Harrison, Ohio. She notes for the reader she was grateful to receive a fellowship to participate in her second OMA conference.
Stronger Together: How Museum Collaboration Expands Regional Engagement
What do I love most about conferences? Collaboration ideas!
The Columbus Membership Advantage Program generated more than 8,800 uses last year—clear proof that museum collaboration can strengthen visitor engagement across an entire region. At the Ohio Museums Association 2026 conference, I attended a session by Columbus Membership Advantage Program (CMAP). These 10 participating museums vary widely in size, staffing, funding models, and admission structures - including free admission and for-profit institutions. But they all had one thing in common—seeking more members and visitors at their site. This group works together to cross promote one another and share professional development.
The group meets bi-monthly to discuss shared challenges, exchange ideas, and hear presentations on topics selected by members. The organizations rotate who hosts the CMAP group. For example, a museum might volunteer to host in August so members can tour a new traveling exhibit or recently installed display.
While this group has evolved over the years, CMAP is still going strong. The museums involved continue to find great value in working together. They share helpful hints, professional development opportunities, camaraderie through shared successes and challenges, and broadening the museum’s network.
The discount structure has evolved through trial and error, shifting from percentage-based discounts to a flat-dollar amount that participating museums found easier to administer. The discount was even raised to $4 off for 2026! Even if the museum does not charge admission, this system still works. By having membership at another museum, a visitor can get a discount on a special program like a lecture series or special event. On each museum’s member benefits page, there is a listing of this benefit and other museums where the discount can be used. Signs are also at the ticket counter showing which museums are participating. This year they are planning CMAP Week to promote the program.
The biggest takeaway from CMAP was simple: museums are stronger when they collaborate. Beyond building relationships, the program increases awareness of participating museums and strengthens membership efforts across the region. How can you collaborate with the museums in your county or region?