REGISTRATION OPEN for the 49th IATM Conference

June 8, 2026 /

Changing the Script: Join the 49th IATM Conference in Belfast, 13–16 September 2026

The International Association of Transport and Communications Museums (IATM) is delighted to invite museum professionals, heritage practitioners, and cultural leaders to Belfast, Northern Ireland, for the 49th IATM Conference, “Changing the Script: Transport and Communication Museums and their Communities,” taking place from 13 to 16 September 2026.

Hosted by Maritime Belfast Trust and National Museums NI, this year’s conference explores how transport and communication museums can act as catalysts for social, cultural, and economic change. Through inspiring presentations, discussions, workshops, and site visits, participants will examine the evolving role of museums as active partners within their communities.

Come for the Programme…

Under the theme “Changing the Script,” delegates will delve into museums and historic sites as engines of change. The conference will explore how cultural institutions contribute to placemaking, support infrastructural and urban transformation, engage local communities, and communicate their impact effectively as well as with different audiences.

Drawing inspiration from Belfast itself—a city that has successfully reimagined its identity through heritage-led regeneration—the conference will showcase examples and stories from across the transport and communications museum sector. A detailed conference programme will be announced later this month. It includes panels, working sessions and informal networking opportunities.

…Stay for the Friends

At its heart, IATM is a global network built on collaboration, friendship, and the shared passion for preserving and interpreting transport and communication heritage. Since its beginnings, the association has connected professionals from around the world who seek to learn from one another and exchange knowledge.

The Belfast conference continues this tradition, offering opportunities to build and strengthen relationships, and spark new collaborations. IATM members are also encouraged to contribute to our “News from the Field” session, sharing recent projects, successes, and challenges from their institutions.

The hosting institutions are great examples of both of these worlds. They will share their experiences on serving as civic institutions for their communities (and not only audiences). A special task in a city like Belfast.

Belfast: A Story of Transformation

Few cities embody the conference theme as powerfully as Belfast. Once known internationally for conflict during the period known as “The Troubles,” the city has undergone a remarkable transformation since the 1998 Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. Today, Belfast draws on its rich maritime and industrial heritage to tell stories about its past while supporting cultural renewal and regional economic growth.

Titanic’s tender ship “SS Nomadic” – the location for our workshops on 15 September. photo: Meredith Greiling

You are invited on exclusive insightful tours of the Ulster Transport Museum and the Titanic Experience. Our conference venues include the Ulster Museum and SS Nomadic, the original tender for the White Star Line Ship RMS Titanic. We also suggest you explore the historic maritime quarter that helped shape Belfast’s global reputation as a centre of shipbuilding and innovation.

The conference will conclude with a dedicated study day on 16 September, offering participants further opportunities to explore the region’s transport and industrial heritage through a choice of specialist site visits. You can select from

Have we sparked your interest? There’s one thing to do:

Register Now

Registration for the 49th IATM Conference is now open and will remain available until 1 September 2026.

The conference fee for 13–15 September is €360, which includes participation in the conference programme and networking activities. The optional study visits on 16 September can be booked for an additional €30.

We look forward to welcoming you to Belfast from 13–16 September 2026.