- zo 27 augustus 2028
- ma 28 augustus 2028
- di 29 augustus 2028
- wo 30 augustus 2028
- do 31 augustus 2028
- vr 1 september 2028
The ICOM General Conference is the largest and most influential international museum conference in the world, organized by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) and held every three years. The 28th edition in Rotterdam Ahoy brings together more than 5,000 museum professionals, curators, heritage specialists, and cultural leaders from over 120 countries for lectures, debates, roundtable discussions, workshops, excursions throughout the Netherlands, and an international museum fair, under the theme “Building Bridges. Connecting Worlds, Cultures, and Generations.”
The world’s largest international museum conference is coming to Rotterdam
The International Council of Museums (ICOM) has been the global association for museum professionals since 1946, with more than 57,000 members in 120 countries. Every three years, the ICOM General Conference brings together the international museum community around a central theme of critical importance. Since its inception in 1948, the conference has become the platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and innovative solutions to the challenges facing museums today. Previous editions have taken place in Prague, Kyoto, Milan, Rio de Janeiro, and Dubai (2025), among other cities. The 28th edition marks the return to the Netherlands, with the first edition held in The Hague in 1989. ICOM Netherlands—founded in 1947, one of the oldest national committees—won the hosting role with a winning bid submitted during the 40th ICOM General Assembly in Dubai on November 14, 2025.
Theme and program
The overarching theme is “Building Bridges. Connecting Worlds, Cultures, and Generations.” It positions museums as meeting places where differences are bridged and mutual understanding develops. The multi-day scientific program in Rotterdam Ahoy includes keynote lectures, debates, roundtable discussions, panel sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities. Key topics include the impact of AI on museums, geopolitical shifts, youth engagement, sustainability, and decolonization. There will also be excursions to museums throughout the Netherlands. The international Museum Fair, where suppliers and museums present their latest products and projects, runs parallel to the conference. The conference also serves as a platform for the presentation and adoption of ICOM’s Strategic Plan 2028–2034.
Who is the ICOM General Conference for?
The conference is aimed at museum professionals from all disciplines—from collection management, exhibitions, and conservation to communication, education, facilities management, and museum policy—as well as cultural leaders, heritage specialists, policymakers, and related cultural professionals worldwide. Participation is open to ICOM members and non-members.
