IAASF 2026 - Protecting Cultural Venues in Times of Economic Uncertainty

The IAASF Conference returns in 2026, focusing on 'Protecting Cultural and Heritage Venues in Times of Economic Uncertainty'.

The very first IAASF Conference was held ten years ago at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, and we continue to bring together speakers, exhibitors, and delegates from around the world for what has been described as the premier cultural protection conference!

The IAASF Conference is returning to the 17th-century Jacobean Hall at the Redworth Hall Hotel in County Durham, which provides a beautiful and appropriate setting for our conference dedicated to the protection of art, heritage, and cultural venues.

Early Bird Tickets are available now!

Background

Conflict, political uncertainty, rising prices, and budget cuts all contribute to global economic uncertainty, highlighted by the ongoing situation in the Middle East. Where there is economic uncertainty, there are often increases in adversarial threats, which can take the form of organised crime, looting, and opportunistic theft from museums and other cultural venues. There are also social impacts that can result in increased staff redundancies, a lack of funding for cultural venues, and inadequate maintenance of buildings and infrastructure.

As with other sectors, the best way to protect assets from adversarial, social, or natural threats is to understand them and how they impact an organisation’s operation and continued functionality. Once the threat is understood, risk reduction strategies can be developed that are sensible, proportionate, and cost-effective. These risk reduction strategies can include enhanced operational effectiveness, increased use of technology, or improved emergency planning.

The IAASF continues to bring together experts from around the world who are passionately involved in the protection of art and cultural heritage. The conference is an excellent opportunity to learn, network with peers, and share global experiences about different approaches that can be adopted to proactively protect assets for future generations.

This conference will focus on existing threats and those considered most relevant for the future, and will enable delegates to understand how these threats can impact their organisation and the steps that everybody can take to reduce the risks that exist.

Objectives

By the end of the conference, delegates will have a better understanding of:

1. Existing and emerging threats to the cultural & heritage sectors, which can increase in times of economic uncertainty.
2. Emerging digital and cyber threats and the risks they may pose.
3. Risk-based protective security approaches.
4. Effective operational practices, including emergency planning and protective training.
5. New UK legislation impacting cultural and heritage venues.

Content

The content will explore developing resilience in the following key areas:

Understanding the Threats: The threats that cultural and heritage venues face due to economic uncertainty will be discussed. This includes the adversarial and non-adversarial threats that exist, including trafficking, environmental threats, cyber, fire, and insider threats.

Risk Reduction Strategies: Developing proportionate risk reduction strategies that are cost-effective is vital for cultural and heritage venues. The conference will explore risk management strategies that could be beneficial for venues and organisations of all sizes.

Operational Best Practices: Bringing together subject matter experts from the fields of heritage, security, and other specialisms to share the best practices that can support venues in times of economic uncertainty.