MSA Exhibitors Donate Expo Products to Mesa Public Schools

PRLog (Press Release) - May 27, 2009 -
Denver, CO -- The Museum Store Association, which held its annual meeting in Phoenix earlier this month, donated leftover conference materials and exhibit items from its vendors to the Mesa Public Schools. The 2009 MSA Retail Conference & Expo included a large exhibition of product vendors promoting items appropriate for sale in museum stores. Many of these items are educational in nature and therefore were perfect to donate to the school district.

“MSA was pleased to make this donation of books and educational products to the Mesa Public Schools on behalf of our generous Exhibitor Affiliates,” says MSA Executive Director Beverly Barsook. “Many of the items that are sold in museum stores have an educational focus tied to the mission of the cultural institution housing the store. We are so proud to know that our vendors’ quality, unique items will be put to good use and that we were able to leave a positive mark on our host city of Phoenix through this donation.”

Patty McMahon of the Phoenix Convention Center, where the conference was held, helped MSA arrange the donation which was received by Phyllis Metcalf, an occupational therapist with Mesa Public Schools. The donation included more than 30 boxes of books, games, puzzles, art materials and science kits.

“I want to thank MSA so much for the generous donation from the annual Conference & Expo.  It was a thrill to receive so many wonderful and quality books and products to share with the teachers, therapists and schools I work with in Mesa Public Schools,” says Metcalf.

“As you are aware, the public schools are facing an increasing difficult time with funding. This makes obtaining additional materials for the classroom and the school increasingly challenging,” she explains. “I know myself and many of the teachers and therapists I work with spend a significant amount of their own money for equipment and learning materials for their students and their classroom. You have certainly inspired and made such a great difference in the teachers’ and students’ lives.”

MSA is a nonprofit, international association organized to advance the success of museum retail professionals. By encouraging high standards of professionalism, MSA helps cultural commerce professionals better serve their organizations. MSA also is focused on helping increase awareness about museum stores as unique shopping destinations for tourists and cultural travelers.

Contact:
Tina Eichner
Museum Store Association   
4100 E. Mississippi Ave., Ste. 800
Denver, CO  80246
(303) 504-9223 x14
teichner@museumstoreassociation.org
http://www.MuseumStoreAssociation.org