In response to feedback from DATS members the theme for this year’s annual training conference is Unlocking the Commercial Potential of Fashion and Textile Collections. In the current financial climate, many museums are facing unprecedented pressure on their budgets, with an increased emphasis on income generation. This year the annual DATS conference will take place at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh to coincide with the opening of a new, permanent fashion gallery. Speakers from a variety of backgrounds will discuss innovative approaches to income generation and share their knowledge and experience with colleagues. We hope that the conference will provide delegates with practical skills and act as a forum for lively discussion.

Highlights will include:

• Mark Eastment of Yale University Press will discuss publishing to promote a collection, research project or exhibition.
• Roxanne Peters of the Victoria & Albert Museum will discuss fashion and intellectual property.
• Charlotte di Corpo of Glasgow Museums and Margaret Clift McNulty of National Museums Scotland will discuss sourcing external funding and presenting to donors.
• Colleagues will present case studies of a range of exciting projects devised to generate income, ranging from utilizing digital printing to temporary exhibitions and publications.