July 21st, 2026, 12:00 am - July 23rd, 2026, 11:00 pm CDT
Location: Kansas City, MO
Host: Visitor Studies Association
Expanding Your Visitor Studies Toolkit
This year’s VSA conference will focus on applied methodologies and practical approaches to visitor studies. We’ll highlight a broad range of essential skills alongside innovative new methods to better understand and advocate for our visitors and communities. Having a toolkit of field-tested practices is vital in accurately representing the experiences of those we serve. This conference will be a deep dive into visitor studies as it is applied in the real world, from established best practices to creative methods. Our goal is to provide tangible takeaways that attendees can immediately implement at their own institutions.
This year’s conference recognizes the pivotal role that both the users and producers of visitor research and evaluation play. We’ll foster discussions on applied practice, share what’s working on the ground, and learn from each other’s challenges. We’ll explore effective methods for documenting and sharing findings, emphasizing data communication and its use as core skills. By focusing on these areas, we’ll equip attendees to create authentic change by confidently communicating their findings with their institutions and communities.
Additionally, join fellow attendees at the conference opening reception, hosted at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. This anticipated evening offers a wonderful opportunity for attendees to forge deeper connections and experience a local cultural organization. This year, the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art opens its doors and galleries to us!