December 2007

Colleagues:

As you know, the second International Registrars Symposium (IRS2) was held November 10 – 12, 2007 in Chicago. The Symposium was next to flawless. The enthusiasm generated by the gathering of “THE” registrars and “THE” shippers from around the world was felt by the 396 attendees representing 24 countries including the United States.

The sessions were informative and thought-provoking. Engaging for me, were the sessions that attempted to explain very different requirements for bringing objects into and out of France, Italy, Spain, Russia, China, and India. Representatives from those countries spoke about the required permits, licenses, export licenses, and various other needed documentation. Besides providing a 101 course on applying for Federal Indemnity, Alice Whelihan, the Program’s Administrator, talked about the soon-to-be electronic application. We heard about the art of couriers, understanding the role of contract registrars, a packing and shipping training program sponsored by MOMART in England, a fascinating training program sponsored by the American Research in Egypt, Inc. The Program gives Egyptian students the opportunity to learn what a registrar does and serve in that role at the Egyptian Museum - who has never had a registrar.

I wish to thank our many sponsors who have once again dedicated their time and financial support to the Registrars Committee. On behalf of the RC membership, I would like to extend a sincere thank you for your continued interest and support in our group.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the work of the organizing team: Gaby Truly, Angie Morrow, Devon Pyle-Vowles, Amy Simon, and Karen O’Brien. They put together an amazing Symposium. They gave up their personal lives and jobs for the last year to make IRS2 happen. Let’s give them another round of applause!
After the first of the year when the RC Board meets for our winter meeting, we will begin to discuss the feasibility of IRS3. Stay tuned for more on that discussion. In the meantime, please click here to read some of the great comments we received after IRS2 was over. I think you will enjoy them!

All the best,

Jeanne

Jeanne Benas
Chair, RC-AAM
Registrar, Smithsonian National Museum of American History

WHAT A HUGE SUCCESS!!
IRS2 KUDOS
The following are email messages sent to the RC listserv or to members of the RC Board and/or IRS2 organizing team.

Email to the RC Listserv, Tuesday, November 13, 2007:

HI ALL,

I thought I would let you know that IRS2 finished up this afternoon. It was a huge success with 396 participants...incredible sessions...seamless registration...wonderful food...beautiful hotel...2 lovely receptions...after-party dancing party...great networking and a wonderful opportunity for catching up with old friends and making new friends!

Congratulations to Gaby Truly, Angie Morrow, Devon Pyle-Vowles, Amy Simon, and Karen O'Brien for a very successful conference. Thank you to the Adler Planetarium for a lovely reception and 2 sky shows.

After a short break for the organizers, we will update the website with new info when you click on the IRS2 link...stay tuned.

Most of all, I would like to thank ALL our incredible sponsors who made IRS2 a huge success!

Jeanne Benas
Chair, RC-AAM

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I would like to second your thanks to all, Jeanne. I attended IRS 2- not having attended the first one, and I was very impressed with the quality of the sessions, entertainment, etc. All of it. Thank you, especially, Jeanne, for all of your hard work.

Best regards,

Barbara Campisi
The Arthur M. Sackler Collections Trust
New York

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I'd like to also say - *rock on ladies* (Gaby Truly, Angie Morrow, Devon Pyle-Vowles, Amy Simon, Karen O'Brien) you really did a super job on this. Extremely informative and many moments to share information.

Best,

Jackie Hoff
Director of Collections Services
Science Museum of Minnesota

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On behalf of the entire staff at HTB, I wanted to extend a heartfelt "Thank You!" to you for all your hard work in organizing and running the IRS program. We all agree that the Symposium was a huge success! The sessions were most helpful and informative - and the events and breaks (especially the HTB Chocolate Hour) were well orchestrated and quite enjoyable!

Here's to a job well done, another Symposium under your belt, and passing the baton for IRS3!!

Many thanks again, Adrienne

Adrienne Rekerdres Reid | Assistant Vice President
Huntington T. Block Insurance Agency, Inc.
an Aon Company

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This was an incredibly enjoyable and useful three days. It afforded invaluable opportunities for networking and was loaded with “aha” moments even for the seasoned (dare I say “grizzled” at this point) among us.

I can’t think of another sector of the museum community that is so dependent upon their vendors and it’s good to have this kind of concentrated event in which to interact as a group both in the session and socially.

Thank you all for your hard work and excellent planning – right down to the double dose of lunchtime Omega 3’s via the salmon!
I hope you all have a chance to rest on your laurels – or at least rest!

Best regards,
Melanie

Melanie F. Harwood
Senior Registrar
The Baltimore Museum of Art

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Dearest Gabby,

Just wanted to drop you a quick note to say a gigantic THANK YOU for all you and the others did for the IRS2. It was a truly amazing experience and we all owe you so much for making it happen. I hope you are getting some well deserved rest after that herculean effort.

I don't know if there will be an IRS3 but I certainly hope so. Whoever takes on this immense task will have some very large shoes to fill. You were and are FANTASTIC!!

All best,

John

John D. Alexander
Registrar
The Morgan Library & Museum

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I loved IRS2. We are a very talented, vocal, and committee profession. It is nice to have that feeling reinforced.
Nina S. Maruca
Senior Associate Registrar
The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Dear All,
You probably must have heard this a lot of times, but we are going to tell you again…..

Thank you very much for organizing IRS2.
It was perfect in many ways:

- Contents of the sessions
- The venue
- Speakers and participants
- The organization
- And not to forget the catering! - Although I did see a lot of that disappearing to one of the penthouse-suites….. ?

We did not hesitate for a minute when we were asked to transfer funds last year when you needed some financial assistance…and we will certainly not do so when you will ask for IRS 3! Dear All,

You probably must have heard this a lot of times, but we are going to tell you again…..

Thank you very much for organizing IRS2.
It was perfect in many ways:

- Contents of the sessions
- The venue
- Speakers and participants
- The organization
- And not to forget the catering! - Although I did see a lot of that disappearing to one of the penthouse-suites….. ?

We did not hesitate for a minute when we were asked to transfer funds last year when you needed some financial assistance….. …
…and we will certainly not do so when you will ask for IRS 3!

Thank you again for organizing a conference which was very informative for all parties involved.

With our very best regards,

Hizkia van Kralingen & Marco Oosterwijk

Marco Oosterwijk
Hizkia Van Kralingen
International Museum Logistics

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Howdy Heather,

It was nice meeting you at the IRS. (I sure wish the museum I was a Registrar at way back when would have recognized the importance of such symposiums and conferences. Oh well.)

(deleted unrelated comments)

Best~

Mitch

Mitch Braiman
General Manager
Cooke's Crating

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Hi Gabby,

Now that I have arrived back and had a chance to reflect on the weekend past, I just wanted to email you to say thank you for allowing me to be part of it. Yes, I was probably a bit of a pre-madonna with my nerves but after my session the positive comments from the delegates reassured me that the session had been of interest. It really was one of the greatest achievements in my career and I will look back on the experience with great pride for many many years to come. Being in front of the worlds most respected Registrars and Agents was very scary but was such a proud moment for me and my family (oh and Momart too!). Thanks again for giving me that opportunity.

I thought IRS2 was great to meet so many new people and catch up with friends past too. It was a delight to meet the organising team and in particular you. The passion and drive for making the event a success was clear for all to see and your team’s enthusiasm and dedication to the event was really inspiring. Without that and the great organisation it would definitely not have past off as impressive as it did. It really was a great forum for awareness, exchange of views and networking and for those reasons I really hope you manage to secure the support for IRS3.


See you around,

Many thanks

David Preston
Airport Operations Manager
MOMART
England

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Dear Gaby,
Just a belated thanks for the wonderful job that you and the team did of organizing a well-run, informative and enjoyable conference. The sessions were quite relevant and handled in a very professional manner, and I think it was a great opportunity for our community of registrars and shippers to come together and sort through challenging issues. Plus, it was great to see everyone. I hope that you are feeling better and that you and your family enjoy a happy and relaxing Thanksgiving.

Best wishes,
Meryl

Meryl Cohen
Director of Registration and Art Services
Guggenheim Museum