Page-Turner Meeting
Time to build your exhibition.
But wait!
Before you build a single wall … order a single mount … send a single graphic to print … do me a favor.
Hold a page-turner meeting.
Consider it the final step in exhibition design before fabrication begins—and your best shot at making sure everyone is building the same show.
Round ‘em all up. Designers, curators, fabricators, AV integrators, media producers: the page-turner gets them on the same (actual) page. Ten minutes in, I guarantee someone will say, “Wait, what?”
Page-turners can …
… prevent many costly mistakes, by catching them before materials are cut.
… clear up confusion about graphics, dimensions, accessibility, finishes, hardware, and lighting.
… reduce last-minute surprises that make for eye rolling at best, panic at worst.
However, they only work if you don’t phone them in. Don’t flip pages and call it a day. Facilitate. Invite hard questions. Make sure every voice in the room speaks. Especially the person holding a drill.
Changes will still happen. Just fewer. And at least now, you know what you did agree on.
Here’s the thing:
Next time you’re about to start building something, do a page-turner meeting.
You can thank me later.
Warmly,
Jonathan
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MtM Word of the Day:
Page-turner meeting. A detailed, line-by-line review of final exhibition drawings and content with the full project team to confirm alignment, catch errors, and ensure everything is ready for fabrication without surprises.
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Grammy Museum Rooftop Reception:
Are you in Los Angeles next week, for the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) 2025 annual conference, May 6-9? Are you involved in exhibitions in any capacity? Then you’ll want to know about this event.
The SEGD Professional Practice Group (PPG) for Museum Exhibition Professionals is hosting a reception next Wednesday night at the Grammy Museum rooftop. (After the TREX event.) It’s not an AAM event, it’s just nearby. But it will be a great party. Full disclosure: I’m a committee chair. More info and tickets here.
