Hurricanes Hardly (?) Happen

Join us for the 2023 SERCA Annual Meeting in Macon, GA from March 10 to 12th, 2023!

Expanding on the preparedness topics covered in our last two virtual annual meetings, the 2023 SERCA meeting will look at the challenges in conservation due to increasing natural disasters and climate change. Speaker Rebecca Kennedy of Curae Collections Care will discuss evacuations, establishing roles and priorities, and cover various scenarios that we may encounter in the Southeast. As part of the meeting, Rebecca will also lead a half-day recovery workshop and we will have an Angels Project at the meeting site.

Since this is our first in-person meeting in a few years, we want members to come and enjoy the meeting and catch up with colleagues without the pressure of having to put together a presentation. Therefore, while we won’t have a Call for Proposals on the meeting topic, we have included a space on the form to indicate whether or not you would like to share a tip or trick you use! Tips and Tricks is the informal Sunday wrap up session and can be as long or as short as you would like it. We will reach out to you closer to the date to confirm the amount of time you think you will need.

The Annual Meeting will be held at the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Macon, GA. Registration cost is $225 for members and $250 for non-members. We will also offer options for virtual attendance on Friday only for $100 or in-person attendance for Friday only for $140.

About the Macon Museum of Arts and Sciences

The Museum of Arts and Sciences in Macon, GA opened in 1956 as a room at the Wesleyan Conservatory but has grown to become a significant institution for the community. The museum now has a permanent art gallery, planetarium, mini-zoo, Discovery House, and multiple outdoor spaces and venues, including walking trails, a bat house, and amphitheater. Additional information about the current exhibits and things to do at the museum can be found on their website https://www.masmacon.org/.

Located at 4182 Forsyth Road, Macon, GA 31210. You can find information about visiting the museum here.

Transport, Lodging, and Entertainment

The closest airport for Macon is most likely Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport (ATL). If you come through this airport, there is a shuttle service from ATL directly to Macon that may be a cheaper option than taxis or renting a car. You can find out more information on the website for Groome Transportation.

Directions from Atlanta: Take I-75 S towards Macon for approximately 65mi. Take the right lane on I-475 S, follow signs for Bypass to I-75 South Valdosta for 6mi. Look for exit 9, Zebulon Road, and follow the signs for the Macon Museum/Wesleyan College. Turn left on Zebulon Road and travel 2.6 mi to Forsyth Road/Hwy 41 S. In 2.1 mi, you will arrive at the Museum on your right

Directions from Savannah: Take I-16 W 166 mi to US-41/GA-19/Hardeman Ave. Turn right onto GA-19. Travel for 7mi and the museum will be on your left.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MACON TRAVEL GUIDE

The Locals suggest….

Close to the Hotel: 
Head to “Mercer Village” where you’ll find the Mercer University Bookstore, Jag’s Pizzeria and Margaritas . A little further afield is Yollah Social Kitchen andGarden  

If you feel like heading downtown, by all means do!  Capricorn Music Studio and Museum is open until 6pm on Thursday and 8pm Friday and Saturday.  You can check out the museum and then have a glass of wine or a beer in their lobby.   For drinks, head to Quill or Philosophie Wine Bar. Nearby dinner options post cocktail hour are Kinjo, Oliver’s, Kudzu Seafood, and The Rookery. These are all just a block or two away.

Last Year’s Meeting….

The virtual SERCA Annual Meeting 2022: Protecting the Most Valuable Asset: Hazards and Personal protection featured Keynote Speaker and Industrial Hygienist, Joe Drapala, who provided an intensive overview on Indoor Air Quality, Mold Science, and Personal Protective Equipment. We also featured was a talk about Ergonomics for Conservators by Dr. Nikki Weiner, as well as talks from members about challenging conservation projects on hazardous materials. Conservators tend to always put the object first, but YOU are the Most Valuable Asset and need protecting!