Headed to AAM 2024? Here are the top 11 Baltimore Musts

If the next big thing on your schedule is the Annual Meeting of the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) in Baltimore this May, then you must prepare to discover the heritage, culture, and culinary delights of Charm City as well. Here's a curated list to make the most of your time.

1. Discover History at the Baltimore Museum of Industry

Neons at the Baltimore Museum of Industry, Source: Marcin Wichary

Step back in time and explore Baltimore's industrial legacy, learning the stories of innovation, labor, and commerce that defined Baltimore's role in shaping American industry. Located in a strikingly restored 1860s oyster cannery, this museum offers interactive exhibits and immersive experiences that recall the country's creative and entrepreneurial spirit.

2. Explore and Wonder at the Walters Art Museum

The Salon Room, Source: Lucas

Indulge your artistic senses at the Walters Art Museum, home to an extensive collection covering thousands of years, diverse cultures, and masterpieces from around the globe. Housed in a historic building that's as breathtaking as the treasures it contains, this 90-year-old museum will make for a great intercultural learning experience.

3. Soak in the Beauty of the Inner Harbor

Baltimore Inner Harbor through top of the world observation level, Source: Rupa Panda

From waterfront boulevards to iconic landmarks like the USS Constellation and the National Aquarium, this incredible place offers something for everyone. Hop on a harbor cruise for panoramic views of the city skyline, relax in the maritime ambiance of this bustling waterfront district, or go to the "Top of the world observation level" to view and feel the city's beauty.

4. Unwind at the Johns Hopkins University's Sheridan Libraries

The George Peabody Library, courtesy of the United States Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs division

Home to over 4.5 million volumes, rare manuscripts, and archival treasures, these libraries offer scholars, researchers, and bibliophiles a true intellectual oasis. Take a guided tour of the magnificent George Peabody Library and experience the wonder of knowledge preserved through the (p)ages.

5. Pay Homage to Fort McHenry

Fort McHenry, Source: Ken Lund

Stand on the very same ground where Francis Scott Key composed the words to "The Star-Spangled Banner" and relive a fundamental moment in American History at Fort McHenry. Explore the fort's ramparts, barracks, and exhibits that commemorate the War of 1812, and catch the daily flag-changing ceremony to commemorate the city's enduring spirit of liberty and patriotism.

6. Dive into the Wonders of the National Aquarium

National Aquarium in Baltimore, Source: Brian Wilson

Experience the mesmerizing world beneath the waves at the National Aquarium, a beacon of marine conservation and education in Baltimore's Inner Harbor – and a Cuseum customer! Home to over 20,000 animals from the depths of the Amazon rainforest to the coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific, the aquarium offers captivating exhibits, interactive experiences, and a commitment to ocean stewardship that inspires generations to fight for our oceans.

7. Enter the Poe Portal: Literature in Baltimore and the Poe App

Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum by Bohemian Baltimore

Step into the haunting world of Edgar Allan Poe with a Cuseum-developed App for the Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum. Dig into the life and legacy of the master of macabre literature with Augmented Reality while strolling through special exhibits and tours in the museum and the city. Immerse yourself in the dark and mysterious realms of Poe's mind through rare artifacts, manuscripts, and memorabilia. The app is continuously updated with new content to enrich your experience every time you visit!

Make a scape at noon or unwind after an exhausting day to include in your schedule a culinary trek through Baltimore's dining scene…

8. Maryland Crab Cakes at Faidley's Seafood

Faidley's Seafood, Source: Baltimore Heritage

Treat your taste buds to Baltimore's culinary crown jewel – the Maryland crab cake – at Faidley's Seafood. With over a century of seafood mastery, Faidley's has earned its reputation as a must-visit destination for crab connoisseurs and enthusiasts.

9. Culinary Creativity at Woodberry Kitchen

Grilled Oysters at Woodberry Kitchen, Source: kslee

Discover a hidden gem of Chesapeake cuisine in a beautifully converted 19th-century mill, where you can indulge in farm-to-table dishes that have been given a contemporary twist. Immerse yourself in the bounty of the region as you savor the unique flavors and textures, surrounded by an elegant and cozy ambiance.

10. Authentic Baltimore Pit Beef at Chaps Pit Beef

Chap’s Pit Beef, Source: ballpit

Experience the true essence of Baltimore's culinary heritage with the succulent pit beef sandwiches, which have even been featured in Anthony Bourdain and Guy Fieri’s TV shows. This mouthwatering dish is a feast for the senses that will leave an unforgettable impression on your taste buds.

11. Raise a Glass at Sagamore Spirit Distillery

Sagamore Spirit Distillery

Toast to the spirit of Baltimore at Sagamore Spirit Distillery, where award-winning rye whiskey flows freely amid waterfront views and industrial charm. Take a guided tour of the distillery, learn about the art of whiskey making, and sample a flight of handcrafted spirits that pay homage to Maryland's rich distilling heritage.

Bonus Track: Check out this thorough guide of Baltimore’s Arts & Culture Guide and find the perfect match for your creative cravings.

And last but not least… Connect with Cuseum at Booth 5614!

While you explore Baltimore during AAM 2024, don't forget to visit our booth (5614) at the MuseumExpo. Let's see how we can team up to improve museum experiences and engage your audience in innovative and exciting ways. Looking forward to seeing you at the conference!

Cuseum's 2023 Year in Review

2023 was another exciting and productive year for Cuseum! We formed valuable partnerships with diverse and dynamic organizations around the globe, welcomed new team members to the Cuseum family, and unveiled even more innovative products, research, and solutions.

In the past 12 months, we collaborated with a wide range of cultural nonprofits, as well as organizations and businesses dedicated to serving their members, visitors, and guests. This included partnerships with museums, zoos, aquariums, science and nature centers, associations, botanical gardens, universities, and public attractions of different shapes and sizes.

Webinar Highlights: NPS in Cultural Organizations.

Greetings, cultural enthusiasts! With the help of Melissa Dietrich, Longwood Gardens Membership Manager, Cuseum hosted an informative webinar on Net Promoter Score (NPS), revealing insights that can significantly impact organizations' performance and satisfaction.


During the webinar, we explored the potential of NPS as a versatile and comprehensive tool that can help organizations achieve continuous improvement and excellence. We discussed how NPS can be used to guide organizations toward their goals, and we emphasized the importance of using NPS as a tool to enhance the overall performance of cultural organizations. 

Alumni Engagement: Overcoming Key Challenges and Unlocking Maximum Potential

The way organizations keep in touch with their graduates is constantly changing, so they need to come up with new and exciting ways to deal with it. It's essential to show that being a member is still valuable even if how you pay for it changes. The groups that keep in touch with their alumni must solve problems like reaching younger people who are good with technology, making sure their goals are the same as the university's, and getting past rules and regulations.

Alumni engagement can be quite challenging, but it's crucial for building a thriving community of former students. To make it work, you need to approach it thoughtfully and strategically. This involves navigating internal power struggles and adjusting to non-dues dynamics. In this blog, you'll find insightful tips to help you overcome these challenges and build a strong alumni network.

The Power of Digital Engagement in Non-Profits and Cultural Organizations

In today's digital world, non-profits and cultural organizations face a series of unique challenges. Picture this: trying to keep your members, donors, and visitors engaged. It's like trying to solve a puzzle that keeps changing its shape!

For this situation the old ways of connecting just don't cut it anymore. So, let's take a look at the hurdles non-profits and cultural organizations face. We'll explore how they're trying to keep everyone connected in this digital age. Together, we'll figure out how they can overcome these challenges and keep doing the amazing work they do in our communities.

Mastering Non-Profit Growth: A How-To for Development Challenges

There are a lot of challenges in cultural development, and they can feel like formidable roadblocks to success. With high turnover rates, poor alignment with leadership, unrealistic expectations, inadequate compensation, and no clear metrics, many in the field are facing an uphill battle. If you've experienced the frustration of navigating through these hurdles, rest assured that you're not alone.

With this guide, you'll get actionable insights tailored to empower you to overcome the unique challenges inherent in nonprofit and cultural development. Let's dive into practical strategies that resonate with your experiences and pave the way for sustained growth and success in your crucial roles.

8 Myths Debunked: The Reality of Digital Membership Engagement

Explore how digital memberships are shaking things up for organizations, creating new ways to connect with members. Despite their perks, some myths are holding them back. Our blog clears the air of 8 misconceptions about member engagement. Join us to uncover the real potential of digital memberships. It's not just a guide; it's a journey into a new era of engagement.

Loyalty Programs: The Next Big Thing for Cultural Organizations

An ever-changing landscape drives organizations to seek renewal amid membership declines or fluctuations. The issue goes beyond only healing; it also includes adopting the required steps to thrive in the post-pandemic age.

In the arts and culture sphere, organizations have the difficult task of reconciling artistic expression with financial survival. This struggle represents a modest but fundamental shift. How will institutions survive and prosper in this new reality? Loyalty programs develop as critical components in this revolutionary process.

Introducing Loyalty & Rewards Powered by Cuseum: Drive Engagement and Increase Satisfaction

What is member loyalty worth? Imagine this – over a ten-year span, the value of a typical member outstrips that of a casual visitor by an astounding 4.5 times. Even more striking, renewed members contribute 66% more net revenue to organizations compared to new ones. In our rapidly evolving world, consumer choice and mobility are expanding at breakneck speed, propelled by the digital and e-commerce explosion during the pandemic. Unfortunately, this has precipitated a slide in customer retention and loyalty across industries. Consequently, cultivating member loyalty has become a critical necessity for organizations depending on the member revenue from for sustainable and robust growth.

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Exploring Columbus During AZA 2023: Top 6 Attractions and Activities You Can't Miss

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If you’re packing your bags for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) 2023 Conference, you're in for an inspiring and educational journey. However, no trip is complete without taking some time to explore the local sights and sounds, especially when you’re visiting a city as vibrant and diverse as Columbus, Ohio. Beyond conference sessions, presentations, and networking events, make sure to allocate some time to discover what this Midwest gem has to offer.

Here are six fun things to do while you’re in town:

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Unlocking Membership Growth: Top 5 Insights from MGI's 2023 Membership Marketing Benchmarking Report

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Diving into Marketing General Incorporated’s latest Membership Marketing Benchmarking Survey reveals a masterclass on how associations have brilliantly adapted in a post-pandemic world, carving a path to impressive membership growth. At Cuseum, our mission is amplifying member engagement and loyalty for associations. To supercharge your strategies, we've handpicked and streamlined the 2023 report's crucial takeaways. 

Ready to unlock the top 5 transformative insights? Let's dive in!

Powering Your Park or Garden with the Magic of the Loyalty Loop

Just like you, every park and garden is on a quest for innovative strategies to magnetize, captivate, and keep their visitors, members, and supporters coming back for more. Ever thought of putting a fresh spin on customer loyalty? Say hello to… The Loyalty Loop!

6 Transformative Mobile Technology Trends for Museums and Cultural Organizations

The mobile landscape, and related consumer behavior, are evolving rapidly. Right now, factors like the booming e-commerce industry and fresh potential of SMS marketing hold great promise for the cultural sector, and may have a defining impact on museums in the years to come.

Read on to discover seven mobile technology trends that could shape the future of cultural organizations.

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Mastering Digital Membership Card Adoption: Proven Strategies from Industry Leaders

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Planning a Digital Membership Card launch or looking to boost engagement? Amplifying adoption is vital to your organization's success. We hosted a webinar featuring industry leaders Kelsey Brown, Membership Manager at the Oakland Zoo, and Melissa Smith, Director of Alumni Marketing and Special Events at the University of Tennessee Alumni Association, each of whom achieved a digital card adoption rate of over 70%. They provided invaluable insights and effective strategies to improve digital card usage and extract more value from membership initiatives. Dive in to learn key strategies and takeaways from their success story in ramping up digital card adoption rates.

6 ways personalization can supercharge alumni engagement

Personalization is the backbone of modern marketing, and alumni engagement is no exception. Already, 80% of U.S. consumers are more likely to purchase from a brand that offers personalized experiences. But, in Cuseum’s November-December 2020 survey of over 150 alumni relations professionals, 77% believed that they need to offer more personalized engagement to their constituents.

That’s a big disconnect!

If you’re interested in getting the lowdown on alumni personalization, we’re here to help. Here, we’ll break down the what, the why, and the how of personalization – let’s dive in!

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Headed to the #CAMMP2023 Alumni Relations Conference? Here are 5 Fun Things to Do in Boulder!

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Headed to this year's Council of Alumni Marketing and Membership Professionals conference in Boulder, Colorado? Our blog post highlights the top five attractions that you can't miss. Discover Boulder's vibrant shopping scene, scenic hiking trails, enchanting teahouses, buzzing brewery tours, and unique dining experiences. Make the most of your visit to this charming mountain city!

Let's delve into this pressing issue.

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