Museum Store Association

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The MSA News Page

A Message From the MSA President: Results of the Motions Election
July 8, 2010
Thanks to all who took the time and effort to register their vote. We share, appreciate and recognize the passion for MSA that was exhibited this past month and the ideas that have been proposed.

Your new board is eager to move forward with updating our strategic plan at our board meeting at the end of this month. We assure you that your concerns have been heard. We continue to be committed to advancing the mission of MSA.

The election was open to all voting members starting June 9, 2010, and closed at 12 p.m. Eastern Time on July 8, 2010. Following are the results:

Motion 1	Against = 65%	For = 35%
Motion 2	Against = 69%	For = 31%
Motion 3	Against = 59%	For = 41%
Motion 4	Against = 65%	For = 35%

I do not doubt the sincerity of the intent. Now is the time to get to work together on solving some of these issues. I have faith that this board of your peers will be addressing actionable plans for the future of MSA.

Leslie Hartman, MSA President

President's Message: Stewardship Is a Legacy
June 21, 2010
Stewardship has many meanings. But, in the plainest sense, it means taking good care of things that have been passed on to us. The board of directors is committed to good stewardship.

The resources that enable and enrich MSA came to us from those before us and will be passed on to those after us. Remembering that the core purpose of MSA is to advance the success of cultural commerce and of the professionals engaged in it, I am grateful for the legacy of past boards. They are responsible for laying the groundwork that we will build on this year.

This year, the board will focus our work on how to live in this new economic reality. We have engaged an independent consultant to assist us in updating the Strategic Plan to our new economic circumstances. We experienced an unraveling of many of the 2008 Strategic Plan assumptions, so the board must engage in this review in order to bring it in line with this new reality.

MSA must run like a business. We must have a viable revenue base to support our programs. The reality of our financial position and the board’s fiscal responsibility is going to require us to make some difficult choices. We started in 2008 and 2009 but we must do more this year.

While we do have solid resources from our investments that make it possible for us to have choices, our resources are not unlimited and we must think beyond the immediate crisis that our museums face. Some MSA budget cuts, although disappointing to some in the membership, were absolutely necessary for the long-term health of MSA. For example, one of those decisions was to delay much needed updates to our technology infrastructure and the Web site. We cannot put that off any longer. We are in the process of redesigning the functionality of the Web site to accommodate what members expect to experience. Our Web site needs this functionality to help us increase and retain membership.

The MSA Conference & Expo is an extremely important MSA program. Severe budget cuts among our members’ institutions, store closings, outsourcing and the like, are creating a significant challenge to our meeting attendance. But we must have sources of revenue to manage the Association programs, and the Conference & Expo are a significant part of that picture.

To gain the respect we so earnestly want, we must present a credible, professional image for your retail operation and the personnel managing it within the museum. The Knowledge Standards Program is the basis of our educational focus and lays the groundwork for our professional development.

Our strategic partnership with the U.S. Cultural & Heritage Tourism Marketing Council and the Shop America Alliance has positioned MSA as a leader in cultural commerce and we have used it to build a relationship with the American Association of Museums. I am very pleased that with the assistance of our partners, we made a presentation at the recent AAM annual conference in Los Angeles. Our executive director was on the panel speaking directly to the importance and value of the store as a partner in building institution attendance. These are just some of the initiatives that address new cost effective programs for the changing needs of our membership.

We are ready to ask and answer some tough questions! Your MSA is working for you and values your input!

Leslie Hartman, MSA President

MSA Welcomes New Staff Member: Stephanie Peters
June 8, 2010
The Museum Store Association would like to introduce its newest staff member. Stephanie Peters joins MSA as the Senior Manager of Communications and brings 19 years of experience in marketing communications and publishing. She most recently was the publisher of Premier Bride of Colorado where she directed all aspects of producing the bridal magazine. Earlier in her career, she managed marketing and communications activities in the staffing and leisure travel industries. Welcome Stephanie!

FedEx and UPS Announce Rate Increases for 2010 – MSA Members Can Still Save Money!
Jan. 12, 2010
FedEx and UPS have announced their respective rate increases for 2010. FedEx Corp. has announced it will increase the net average shipping rate for FedEx Express by 3.9 percent, which is composed of a 5.9 percent increase in standard list rates, offset by a 2.0 percent reduction in the fuel surcharge. The new rates will be effective Jan. 4, 2010 and apply to U.S. and U.S. export express package and freight shipments. Additional changes will be made to other FedEx Express surcharges effective Jan. 4, 2010.

FedEx Corp. will increase the standard list rates for FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery by an average of 4.9 percent. The new rates were effective Jan. 4, 2010. Additional changes were made to other FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery surcharges, which were effective Jan. 4, 2010. View complete FedEx rate information.

UPS has also announced new list rates for 2010, including an average 4.9 percent increase for UPS Ground and Ground Hundredweight shipments and a net average increase of 4.9 percent on all air express and U.S. origin International shipments.

The increase for air express and international shipments is based on a 6.9 percent increase in the base rate, less a 2 percent reduction in the current fuel surcharge. Find updated UPS rate and service information. Customers may also use this link to download the “2010 Rate and Service Guide,” which provides an explanation of the fuel surcharge calculation methodology along with the new rate tables. The new UPS rates took effect on Jan. 4, 2010.

PartnerShip LLC administers the MSA Discount Shipping Program and offers MSA members discounts up to 29% with FedEx and 66% with UPS Freight®, YRC and Con-way Freight. Members can enroll in the free program online or contact Keith Korhely at (800) 599-2902 x2254.

In Memoriam: Dean Stathacos
Jan. 8, 2010
MSA is sad to relate that Dean Stathacos, husband of Leta Stathacos of Artobjects Unlimited Inc., passed away on Dec. 30, 2009. MSA's deepest sympathies go out to all who know and work with Leta.

MSA 2009 Nominating Committee Announced
Aug. 11, 2009
The following MSA members recently were selected to serve on the 2009 Nominating Committee. This volunteer group is responsible for selecting qualified candidates to run in an election to serve on the Association's board of directors.

Meta Devine, Chairperson, Minnesota Historical Society, Saint Paul, MN
Gwen Benner, Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI
Irene Light, Hamilton County Park District – Nature's Niche Stores, Cincinnati, OH
Joe Sporcic, The Preservation Society of Newport County, Newport, RI
Lee Werhan, Phoenix Art Museum, Phoenix, AZ

Urge Your Senators to Vote Yes on Travel Promotion
June 11, 2009
The U.S. Travel Association is asking you to assist its efforts to support passage of the Travel Promotion Act which has been fast-tracked for consideration in the Senate. This legislation is critical to help promote travel to the United States, and therefore, increase visitation at cultural institutions.

Please share this information with your colleagues and encourage them to contact their Senators to urge passage of the Travel Promotion Act.

President's Message: Help MSA Save Money at the 2009 Conference
Book Your Room at the Hyatt Regency Phoenix
March 25, 2009
It is only five weeks before we meet in Phoenix for the annual MSA Conference & Expo. For those of you who have not booked your hotel, please consider the advantages of staying at the Hyatt Regency Phoenix.

Due to fewer registrations, we are facing the potential cost of attrition fees (a penalty MSA must pay to the Hyatt) if we do not meet the minimum number of rooms MSA reserved in our Hyatt room block. You can help us reduce or save these fees by booking your room at the Hyatt now. Consider these advantages as well:

It's the official headquarters hotel for the Conference – you’ll be in the heart of all the action!
It's conveniently located directly across the street from the Phoenix Convention Center.
Friday night's Meet and Greet will be held in the Hyatt’s Networks Bar & Grille – come in your PJs if you like!
It's conveniently and affordably located only four miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport – light rail from the airport is $1.25; shuttles are $15; a cab ride is $20.
There are 50 restaurants within walking distance of the Hyatt.
The Hyatt is only 15 minutes from shopping at the Biltmore Fashion Park.
It's only one block from light rail so you can easily explore all Phoenix has to offer – museums, restaurants, shopping, galleries, and more!
You can enjoy the low MSA Conference rates even if you come early or stay extra nights in Phoenix.

Thanks for booking your hotel as soon as possible and let me know if you were able to help us out. Every reservation at the Hyatt will help and yours can make a difference!

Gwen Benner, MSA President

2010 Program Resource Group Selected
March 18, 2009
Members of the volunteer committee responsible for determining educational topics and learning objectives for the 2010 MSA Retail Conference & Expo were recently selected. The 2010 Program Resource Group is composed of the following MSA Museum Members:

Amanda Burns, Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa, OK
Mary Douthit, The Blanton Museum of Art, Austin, TX
David Duddy, DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park, Lincoln, MA
Charles Ferryman, National Ornamental Metal Museum, Memphis, TN
Gloria Rosenau-Stern, Minnesota Historical Society, Two Harbors, MN