Hosted by the Los Angeles Maritime Museum, the 2015 CAMM conference attracted 58 participants representing 35 institutions from the East, West, and Gulf Coasts; the Great Lakes; and Australia. The conference not only provided opportunities for participants to share ideas and develop professional relationships but many of the sessions emphasized the importance of collaborations, the voyage of the Charles W. Morgan being one example.

In addition to lively sessions, highlights included a movie on the voyages of Irving and Electra Johnson, a narrated tour of San Pedro and Long Beach Harbors, lunch and tours aboard the USS Iowa, a closing dinner at the Los Angeles Yacht Club, and a behind-the-scenes tour of the maritime collections at the Huntington Library. See the conference slide show for Candace Clifford’s photos of the meeting.

During the business meeting Dave Pearson of Columbia River Maritime Museum was elected to a third year term as president and Greg Gorga of Santa Barbara Maritime Museum was promoted to vice president. Pete Lesher of Chesapeake Maritime Museum and Sam Heed of the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation were elected members at large. Having reached the end of their terms, Ron Oswald of the National Maritime Historical Society and Dana Hewson of Mystic Seaport were thanked for their service to CAMM over the past six years.

CAMM’s upcoming conference at the Los Angeles Maritime Museum, April 13-14, is a great opportunity to learn what your colleagues are doing both through formal sessions and one-on-one social activities. In addition to reviewing maritime heritage issues around the country you can also explore the rich history of the active ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

For a full list of sessions and activities download the program as of March 11.

The annual meeting webpage also offers information on registration, lodging at a special conference rate, transportation, an optional field trip to the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, and travel grants for CAMM members. (You do not have to be a CAMM member to attend the conference.)

As you know the Los Angeles Maritime Museum will be hosting CAMM’s 2015 annual meeting on April 13-14. They are putting together a great mix of educational and social programs set against the backdrop of the busy port of Los Angeles.

The CAMM board is currently considering two offers to host CAMM’s annual meeting in 2016 and 2017.  Before making the final decision, they would like to provide an opportunity for other members to express their interest in hosting. Host’s responsibilities include providing a venue that’s within or nearby their museum; making local arrangements for lodging, meals, boat cruise, and optional field trips; establishing the budget; creating the schedule; and providing support for the program sessions.

Since CAMM attempts to hold its meetings in different parts of the country, the Board would welcome offers from member institutions along the Gulf Coast.

If you are interested in hosting a conference please contact Dave Pearson at pearson@crmm.org or any CAMM Board Member to express your interest before December 19th.

The Great Lakes Historical Society will be opening their new National Museum of the Great Lakes in Toledo, Ohio, on April 26th. Two days later, on April 28th, they will be hosting CAMM’s annual meeting. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to help them celebrate and get a first-hand look at this new facility. A preliminary schedule along with lodging and registration information is available on our annual meeting page.

In addition to a variety of presentations from your colleagues, there will be plenty of opportunites for informal discussion and exchange of expertise during a reception on the museum ship SS Col. James M. Schoonmaker, a dinner at the historic Toledo Yacht Club, and a Canal Experience field trip.

Hope to see you in Toledo!