ALL-NEW FREE WEBINAR SERIES AND Q&A FORUM

Monthly Webinars

Thanks very much to IFCPP longtime favorite, Dr. Jenni Hesterman, Colonel USAF (retired) for kicking off the Foundation's all-new monthly educational and resource-sharing series. Thanks very much Colonel for delivering an outstanding  webinar on Protection Strategies for Insider Threats to Cultural Institution's! We very much look forward to your next presentation (and to your pre-conference workshop in Baltimore next April)!

IFCPP's free monthly webinar series and live Q&A forum provides valuable educational content and resource-sharing throughout the year. Webinars will continue to feature recognized practitioners, subject matter experts, and industry leaders discussing current challenges, emerging threats, lessons learned, and innovative solutions for protecting cultural institutions and their collections. Stay tuned for a list of upcoming topics, with a wide range of timely presentations already scheduled each month into 2027...

Live Q&A

Following each 45-minute presentation, attendees are invited to participate in an Open Forum and Live Q&A, providing an opportunity to ask questions, discuss real-world challenges, and engage directly with webinar presenters and fellow professionals.

The new member forum will include monthly Zoom gatherings, hot-topic discussion, member-to-member problem-solving, extensive resource-sharing, and recorded discussions for ongoing reference. Practitioners responsible for protecting cultural institutions, collections, visitors, and staff are encouraged to participate.

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IFCPP 28TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE UPDATES

Registration is now live for the International Foundation for Cultural Property Protection's 28th Annual Conference, Seminar & Exhibits:
 
 April 10–14, 2027
 Baltimore, Maryland
 Hosted by the Maryland Center for History & Culture

The International Foundation for Cultural Property Protection's 28th Annual Conference, Seminar & Exhibits will be hosted by the Maryland Center for History & Culture (MCHC), April 10-14, 2027!

The Foundation's 2027 conference will be held at MCHC and Hotel Indigo Baltimore Downtown in the heart of the "Monumental City's" arts and cultural district. This not-to-be missed in-person gathering will include all-new conference sessions presented by industry leaders and local experts, security manager and director certification and re-certification, pre-conference workshops, excursions to several world-renowned cultural institutions, group meals, industry exhibits, out-of-the-classroom educational and networking events at host institutions, and our traditional lineup of outstanding presenters, timely topics, and networking activities. 

Registration Just Released!!!

Early bird, discounted conference and lodging registration is now available through August 21 at: IFCPP - IFCPP 2027 Annual Conference, Seminar, Exhibits at the Maryland Center for History & Culture

Schedule-At-A-Glance

Check out next year's initial conference agenda at: Annual Conference Schedule at a Glance

Featured Workshop

Pre-conference offerings include outstanding workshops facilitated by internationally-recognized subject-matter experts, as well as excursions to several local cultural institutions. Our first pre-conference Half-Day Interactive Workshop covers Crisis Communications for Cultural Properties of all size and scope - the first hour of a crisis often determines how the public, employees, stakeholders, and the media will judge an organization's response for years to come. While emergency operations focus on saving lives and stabilizing the incident, leaders must also communicate with accuracy, empathy, and credibility despite incomplete information and intense public scrutiny. This interactive workshop will provide practical strategies for communicating before, during, and after a crisis. Participants will learn how to develop a crisis communication plan, prepare spokespersons, build stakeholder-specific messaging, manage misinformation, and preserve public trust while supporting emergency operations. Presented by world-renowned expert and award-winning author, Dr. Jenni Hesterman, Colonel USAF (retired).

Featured Session

Bridging Fire Protection Design and Insurance Risk Management for Nonprofits
Meeting code requirements is not enough. For nonprofits with valuable assets, engaging your insurance carrier during the design phase can save money, reduce risk and protect irreplaceable collections.

Imagine a heritage museum installs a state-of-the-art storage system to increase capacity, only to discover after construction that it requires additional fire protection not included in the original design. The result: costly retrofits, delayed occupancy and the risk of not getting insurance. Scenarios like this arise when an occupancy change alters the required protection. As an example, adding a storage system increases combustible loading, triggering higher  sprinkler design criteria under both code and insurance. A system that once met code may now need upgrades to meet both. For nonprofits managing valuable properties or irreplaceable assets, this difference can create unexpected costs and significant risk. "Bringing your carrier into the design process early aligns compliance and insurability before the design or protection features become difficult or expensive to revise," says Deborah Freeland, Area SVP and Senior Property Risk Engineer, Gallagher.

Key insights:
• Early carrier involvement prevents costly redesigns.
• Design to minimum code requirements may not offer full property protection.
• Understanding how insurers assess potential loss supports stronger design decisions.
• Factors such as building use, construction and hazards need to be considered during design to help meet
property protection standards.
• Having a full emergency response and business contingency plan can facilitate recovery after a loss.

Debbie Freeland is a long-term member and past Chair of the National Fire Protection Association’s Committee on the Protection of Cultural Resources, which writes the National Fire Codes for museums, libraries, places of worship, and historic buildings.  The scope of this committee’s work has recently been expanded to include security and protection from other natural and man-made hazards.  She is currently chair of the task group working on the next edition of NFPA 909 - Code for Protection of Cultural Properties - Museums, Libraries, and Places of Worship.  A fire protection consultant for over 35 years, Debbie has extensive experience in highly protected risk consulting, with special expertise in the protection of cultural institutions and their collections.  She has worked with museums, churches, libraries and cultural institutions of all sizes in developing fire protection alternatives and programs to reduce their potential risk, and is at the forefront of developing new standards to address the protection of historic structures while preserving their historic fabric.  Debbie joined Arthur J. Gallagher & Company, the world’s fourth largest insurance brokerage, in 1997 after working for 13 years with Johnson & Higgins where she achieved the position of Regional Engineering Manager covering the Western half of the United States. A graduate of the University of Washington, Debbie holds a B.A. in chemistry with an emphasis in biochemistry, then picked up additional chemical engineering studies.  She is past president of the Southern California Chapter of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers and was elected by her peers as a Fellow in the Institute for the Advancement of Engineering and, more recently, Fellow of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers.  Debbie has spoken at several National RIMS Conventions, American Association of Museums Annual Meetings, the Smithsonian’s National Conferences on Cultural Property Protection, the International Conference on Cultural Property Protection, Southeast Library Network, and at seminars on protection of collections, museums and historic buildings in Italy, Slovenia, Great Britain, Ireland, Scotland, Austria and several other European countries, and is a frequent speaker at engineering society meetings.  She has served on the California State Fire Marshall’s Advisory Committee, and holds the ARM and CPCU designations. [insert Read More...]

Why Attend?

The IFCPP Annual Conference brings together security professionals, emergency managers, collections staff, preservation specialists, administrators, consultants, first responders, and industry partners to address the challenges facing cultural institutions today. Participants gain practical knowledge, professional connections, and actionable strategies in several critical areas. Those practitioners responsible for protecting museums, libraries, archives, historic sites, colleges/universities, live collection institutions, performing arts organizations, and other cultural properties are invited to register now for this unique educational and networking opportunity!
 
Participants will gain a wealth of practical knowledge, professional connections, and actionable strategies in areas such as:

• ✅ Cultural property security and safety
• ✅ Emergency preparedness and disaster response
• ✅ Workplace violence prevention and active assailant response
• ✅ Protection of collections, assets and facilities
• ✅ Visitor and staff safety
• ✅ Fire protection
• ✅ Physical and electronic security measures
• ✅ Risk management and resilience planning
• ✅ Protests, civil unrest, and special event security
• ✅ And much more…

A Unique Host Institution Experience

For the first time in years, all conference programming will take place within the host institution. The Maryland Center for History & Culture is Maryland's oldest continuously operating nonprofit cultural institution. This immersive setting will provide attendees with direct access to real-world cultural property protection challenges, solutions, and best practices.What to Expect

• Two days of educational sessions led by industry experts
• Pre-conference and post conference networking and professional development opportunities
• Professional certification classes
• Networking and resource-sharing with colleagues from across North America and beyond
• Industry exhibitors showcasing innovative solutions
• Special host institution activities
• Local cultural and historic excursions

Stay Connected

Whether you are a museum professional, librarian, archivist, conservator, security practitioner, emergency manager, consultant, educator, or industry partner, we invite you to join us as we continue advancing the protection of cultural heritage worldwide.

• Watch for future announcements regarding programming, presenter lineup, exhibitor and sponsor information, and conference activities...

We look forward to welcoming you to Baltimore in April 2027!!! Don't wait to register to take advantage of significant discounts!

Looking a bit further into the future - IFCPP's 29th annual conference will be hosted by the Sterling & Francine Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, MA in April 2028 (on the heals of another big renovation). Stay tuned for details...

International Foundation for Cultural Property Protection (IFCPP)
Advancing the protection of cultural institutions, collections, staff, visitors, and communities worldwide.

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IFCPP's ALL-NEW CIPS OFFICER CERTIFICATION COURSE - ONLINE COURSES NOW AVAILABLE!

Re-Introducing the Certified Institutional Protection Specialist program

The International Foundation for Cultural Property Protection (IFCPP) is proud to have launched its new and improved basic security certification on July 30^th . Updated course work for the Certified Institutional Protection Specialist (CIPS) online certification course is now available!!!

Designed specifically for public-facing staff working in museums, libraries, archives, historic sites, educational organizations, live collections institutions, and other cultural properties, CIPS provides practical, real-world training to help protect people, facilities, collections, and cultural assets.
 
Launch Special
To celebrate the official launch, all members that enrolltheir staff by August 15 will receive 50% OFF of course tuition.

Additional savings are also available for organizations enrolling multiple staff members:

• ✔ 50% introductory discount through August 15 for active IFCPP members
• ✔ Group discounts available
• ✔ Self-paced online learning
• ✔ 60 days to complete the course (extensions available if needed)

What You'll Learn

Developed by experienced cultural property protection professionals, CIPS covers the essential knowledge every frontline employee should have, including:

• Cultural Property Protection Fundamentals
• Guest Relations & Customer Service
• Conflict Resolution & De-escalation
• Emergency Preparedness & Response
• Protecting Collections & Cultural Assets
• Legal Considerations, Use of Force

The curriculum introduces students to unique security challenges facing cultural institutions, while providing practical skills that can be immediately applied to daily operations. Whether you're new to the profession or looking to strengthen your knowledge, CIPS establishes a solid foundation in cultural property protection.
 
Don't miss this limited-time introductory pricing. Enroll by August 15 and save 50%!
 
For questions, group discounts, and additional Information, please contact us at: office@ifcpp.org or call 303.322.9667

 Security isn't just about keeping unauthorized people out—it's about ensuring only authorized individuals have access to the right spaces at the right time. A securely closed door is one of the simplest and most effective barriers protecting your people, collections, and mission.

 IFCPP Reminder

Every employee, volunteer, contractor, and visitor plays a role in protecting our cultural institutions. Small, consistent security habits—like ensuring doors are properly secured—help preserve our people, our collections, and our shared cultural heritage.

Together, we strengthen security—one action at a time. 

Reposted from Tim Richardson

Last week, I lost a good friend. One who loved me unconditionally, even though I didn’t want her for the longest time.

My life was too busy. There was too much responsibility involved. Our kids were getting older and no longer required as much care.

She would tie us down, and I didn’t need one more thing to take my time and energy away.

As it turned out, we became great friends and walking buddies.

Early last year, I decided to get intentional about memorizing segments of my keynote speech. I needed someone to just let me talk and say the same things again and again.

She was an easy first choice.

I would wake up early – often before sunrise. We would walk in all kinds of weather without a complaint of any kind from her.

As we walked, she listened to me practice. She heard me work on memorizing new statistics to support my key points. She heard me repeat my presentation and waited patiently when I stopped walking periodically to review index cards with the content I was trying to memorize.

She never complained. She never got tired of hearing me, and she never gave me unsolicited feedback – she just listened without judgment as I talked while we walked.

We walked miles and miles together early in the morning, and she always welcomed me when I came in late at night from a business trip when no one else waited up.
She was always happy to see me, despite the fact that I sometimes got angry with her for barking at everyone who came to our door. She never held a grudge when I would pull her back to me, sometimes too forcefully, when she wanted to chase a rabbit or squirrel.

She would chase balls and frisbees that I threw over and over again. My arm tired out before she did.

Her needs were simple: food, walks, and an occasional tummy rub.

Eight years wasn’t enough with her, even though while she was alive I thought about how free it would be when she was gone. She hung on long enough for us to return from vacation. Last week, she let us know that she was ready right before I left for my annual National Speakers Association conference. Fittingly, it was a dreary, rainy morning when the vet came over to help with her transition.

I learned a lot from her about valuing practice and repetition, forcing myself to do hard things that I didn’t like doing, having simple needs, listening fully, and loving people unconditionally.

All great life lessons at any age.

The lessons she left behind are ones every business professional can use: practice what matters until it becomes natural, stay committed to the hard work of improvement, keep your priorities simple, and listen with full attention before you respond.
In a world full of noise, those habits can strengthen leadership, deepen trust, and improve the way we serve others.

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Reposted from Tim Richardson

Having just returned from vacation, I am still carrying the memories of the planning, the packing, and the anticipation. With all the catch up work and planning for another upcoming trip, I have found myself asking a simple question: was it worth it?

Was it worth the messages waiting for me when I got home?

Was it worth missing a few things while I was away?

Was it worth the worry that something important might happen while I was unplugged?

My answer is yes.

It was worth it for the early morning sky over Sandpoint, Idaho.

It was worth it for the fresh raspberries I picked almost every morning during the first week of the trip.

It was worth it for the boat rides, jet ski time, and meals on the water.

It was worth it for time with family, quiet mornings on the porch, long hikes, and the gift of being fully present.

It was worth it to see the mountains in Banff, still snow capped and framed by evergreen trees.

It was worth it to see longhorn sheep, a grizzly bear, and even a jackrabbit that stopped and stared me down on the trail at dusk.

It was worth it for the laughter, the fun, the adventure, and the togetherness.

That pause matters more than many of us realize.

Studies show that vacation can improve well-being, reduce stress, and support better performance when we return to work. Research has also found that the benefits of vacation can extend beyond the trip itself, especially when people fully disconnect and engage in restorative activities. In one long-term study of business executives, taking vacations was associated with lower mortality risk over time.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih+2

And yet, many people still leave vacation time on the table. In one U.S. survey, workers used an average of 17.4 vacation days while 27.2 percent of earned time went unused. Another report found that 768 million vacation days went unused in a single year, with more than half of employees saying they did not take all the time available to them.edition.cnn+1

The average business person may tell themselves they are too busy to step away, but that mindset can be costly. Taking time off is not a luxury. It is a practical way to restore focus, improve effectiveness, and protect long-term health and longevity.

You owe it to yourself, and to the people you love, to make time to get away. Refresh your thinking. Rest your mind. Be quiet. Be still. Absorb the beauty and experiences that do not happen every day.

So if you have been putting off a vacation, consider this your reminder to plan it, take it, and fully enjoy it. The work will still be there when you return, but you will return better rested, more focused, and more present for the people and responsibilities that matter most.

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Reposted from NEDCC

NEW Emergency Preparedness Videos   

Watch these three short “Ready—Or Not” videos about preparing, prioritizing, and recovering collections. Each video is under 5 minutes.   

https://www.nedcc.org/assessments-and-consultations/ready-or-not-cultural-heritage-disaster-preparedness-project/training   

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IFCPP PROTECTION TIP OF THE MONTH

 Keys & Access Control: Your Keys Are Part of Your Security System

Access control is one of the most fundamental layers of physical security. Every employee, volunteer, contractor, vendor, and security professional plays a role in protecting cultural institutions by ensuring that only authorized individuals have access to sensitive areas.
Every key, access card, PIN, and electronic credential represents trust. While sophisticated security technologies—including electronic access control, surveillance systems, intrusion detection, and alarms—are essential components of a comprehensive security program, even the most advanced systems can be compromised when access credentials are not properly controlled.
A misplaced key, a borrowed access card, a shared PIN, or a door left unsecured can provide unauthorized access to restricted areas, placing staff, visitors, collections, facilities, and operations at unnecessary risk.
For museums, libraries, archives, historic sites, and other cultural institutions, the consequences can be especially significant. A single compromised credential may provide access not only to offices, but also to collections storage, conservation laboratories, archives, mechanical spaces, evidence rooms, or other secure locations housing irreplaceable cultural assets.
Access credentials should always be treated as personally assigned security tools—not items to be shared for convenience. Every credential carries accountability. Promptly reporting missing or stolen keys allows security personnel to respond quickly before a small issue becomes a major security incident.

 Best Practices

•  Never loan or share keys, access cards, PINs, or electronic credentials.
•  Report lost or stolen keys and access cards immediately.
•  Never prop open secured doors—even "just for a minute."
•  Prevent tailgating by ensuring unknown individuals do not follow you through secured entrances without authorization.
•  Verify the identity and authorization of anyone requesting access to restricted areas.
•  Wear identification badges where required and professionally challenge individuals without proper identification.
•  Escort visitors, contractors, researchers, and vendors in restricted areas unless they have been authorized for unescorted access.
•  Ensure temporary staff, interns, volunteers, and contractors receive only the access necessary for their assigned responsibilities—and that access is removed promptly when their work is complete.
•  Keep keys and access cards secure at all times, both on and off duty.
•  Return all keys, credentials, and access cards immediately when changing positions or leaving the organization.

 Cultural Institution Reminder

Cultural institutions often rely on volunteers, seasonal employees, contractors, researchers, visiting specialists, and partner organizations. Applying the principle of least privilege—granting only the minimum level of access necessary for assigned duties—helps reduce risk while maintaining operational efficiency.
Strong access control protects not only buildings, but also collections, staff, visitors, institutional reputation, and public trust.

 Professional Tip

Security isn't just about keeping people out—it's about ensuring that the right people have access to the right places at the right time.
Every key, access card, and credential represents accountability. One unsecured door, one shared credential, or one lost key can undermine an entire security program.
Protect your credentials just as carefully as you protect the collections, facilities, and people entrusted to your care.

Remember: A door is only as secure as the person controlling the key.

Reposted from ArtSentry

Cutting Through the Artificial Intelligence Hype: 3 Reasons Purpose-Built AI Outperforms Generic Solutions in Museums

Generic AI security tools weren't designed for museums. Learn how purpose-built Artificial Intelligence delivers more accurate insights, fewer false alarms, and better protection for collections and visitors.

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From Postcards to Profit Centers: How Museum Stores Are Driving Revenue With Curated Shopping Experiences

Museum stores are evolving into strategic revenue centers by creating shopping experiences that extend the visitor journey beyond the galleries and foster deeper connections with exhibits and collections.

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SentryGo App

Introducing SentryGo, our new mobile app for iOS and Android. SentryGo brings all the power of the Modern User Interface to mobile devices. Users can:

• Monitor surveillance cameras
• Respond to alarms
• Receive push notifications for alarms
• View dashboard & reports
• Share videos & reports
  And more!

Upcoming Webinar

Museum security today extends far beyond protecting collections. From cyber threats and climate-related risks to public access challenges and institutional trust, museums face a rapidly evolving security landscape. Join Tim Carpenter of Argus Cultural Property Consultants and Carrie Heflin of Art Sentry for an engaging discussion on overlooked vulnerabilities, real-world security failures, emerging threats, and practical strategies to strengthen preparedness while maintaining an open and welcoming visitor experience.
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Reposted from AASLH

Create or Update a Makerspace: Tim Betz, author of the book Making History: Makerspaces for Museums and Historic Sites, will provide real-world examples and practical guidance on designing and implementing makerspaces that complement existing exhibits and collections. By embracing the Maker Movement ethos, museums can come to life in new, dynamic ways. Join us for this webinar on July 23.

Discuss Civic Practice at the Next AASLH History Hour: On July 28, join a free discussion and community building event. AASLH’s Madeleine Rosenberg will lead a discussion about how history organizations can play in supporting and expanding civic practice, especially at the local level. 

AASLH-NCPH Joint Conference Early Bird Registration Deadline is August 3 

The must-attend history event of the year is the AASLH Joint Conference with the National Council on Public History. Join the national history community in Providence, Rhode Island, on September 16-19 to explore the current state and future of museums and historic sites. 

Registration Open for AASLH Instructor-Led Online Courses 

Learn from an instructor and gain important skills for running a museum or historic site with AASLH Online Courses. Registration is open for the fall session of courses, which begins August 24. Courses include Introduction to Museum Endowments, The Academic Museum, Museum Education and Outreach, Collections Management 100: Collection Development, Leadership and Administration for History Organizations, Collections Management 200: Stewardship and Public Access, and Project Management for History Professionals. 

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