IIC CONGRESS 2008: Conservation and Access

15-19 September 2008

IIC is proud to present the 22nd biennial IIC Congress, its first in London for over 40 years. It will be held in the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in the heart of Westminster.

Welcome reception:	14 September
The technical programme:	15-18 September
Visits within and beyond London:	19 September

A full programme of social events is planned, including a reception in the British Museum and the Conference Dinner on a Thames Riverboat. There will be poster displays and a trade show by suppliers and service providers.

The topic: Conservation and Access

Enabling people to see and enjoy art and heritage is our shared aim. Cultural institutions throughout the world strive to provide and encourage physical and intellectual access to their collections and sites. Conservators and conservation scientists play a vital part in enabling cultural heritage to be enjoyed while not compromising its condition or survival.

The programme will examine the central role of conservation in the presentation and protection of the world's cultural heritage. It will explore the many ways that heritage professionals engage in this sharing worldwide, whether that involves people going to see that heritage or the heritage itself travelling the globe.

An impressive range of over 44 speakers is lined up to report on contemporary thinking, current research and examples of best practice. Topics will include conservation involvement in:

managing the exposure of vulnerable objects and sites
collaboration in education projects and enabling handling of collections
strategic conservation management and prioritising access
the use of computer technology for access
safe packing and transport
public engagement with conservation
discovering public attitudes to restoration

The varied locations for conservation involvement cover the range of archaeological sites, monuments, historic houses and churches, museums, libraries and archives. The types of object dealt with range from manuscripts to murals and from fossils to fireboats.

The approaches vary from technical experimentation to philosophical analysis, yet there is a common theme of assessing risks and judging the critical balance between access now and preservation for the benefit of future generations.

What registration brings you

The registration fee covers:

Attendance throughout the event
Buffet lunch Monday-Thursday
Morning and afternoon refreshments Monday-Thursday
The printed Congress Preprints and CD
Prior on-line access to the abstracts and papers
Attendance at evening receptions
Half-day visits on the Friday
A free two-week pass to National Trust and English Heritage properties

Separate payment is required in advance for the all-day visits, at the time of registration. Payment may be required for some of the half-day visits, bookable during the congress.

There is an additional fee for the Congress Dinner, which must be booked in advance.

Registration for the Congress is now closed.

The Thames Riverboat, Silver Sturgeon

The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre

Great Court, British Museum