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Wednesday, March 14, 2018
The New AKC
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THE NEW AKC MUSEUM OF THE DOG
We celebrate our passion for purebred dogs every day of our lives – at dog shows, matches, club meetings, social gatherings, and certainly at home with our beloved canine companions. Because we must be the voice for our dogs, we cannot be an echo chamber. With pet ownership and interest in dogs at an all-time high, the time is right for us to share our passion with audiences beyond our core. Our expanding communication platforms such as AKC.tv are exposing more people to our content and messaging on the digital level. Yet even with all of the technological advancements we enjoy, consumers are craving interpersonal connections and new experiences more than ever before. This year, we are continuing to build the groundwork that will allow us to bring the world of purebred dogs to a broader segment of the public in a brand new way. I am delighted to announce that in less than a year, the AKC Museum of the Dog will return to its original home in New York City.
The vision of the AKC Museum of the Dog is to celebrate dogs and the human-canine bond. We remain true to its mission. Through the Museum’s collection of fine art and artifacts, engaging exhibits and evolving programs, visitors will develop a deeper understanding of and appreciation for dogs. We will achieve our educational objectives on a greater scale in New York City, where the region is home to approximately twenty million people. The relocation of AKC’s headquarters to a more suitable space at 101 Park Avenue offers the rare opportunity for us to combine our work on behalf of purebred dogs with a dynamic resource for the public.
Queenie Park in St. Louis has been a wonderful host to our Museum, to the extent that what was meant to be a temporary home offered more than thirty-two years of service. We are so grateful to the St. Louis community for their dedicated stewardship of the collection.
In the quest to develop new and expanded audiences, the heart of New York City once again presents itself as the most promising location for the AKC Museum of the Dog. Economic development data show that New Yorkers love dogs, to the tune of well over a million pets in the City. High levels of education and household income in the region are further indicators of demand for cultural entertainment. With approximately six hundred thousand people living within two miles of the Museum’s new site, there is strong potential for a sizeable local membership. Widening that lens, we should also note that New York City welcomes 60 million tourists every year from all over the US and other parts of the world.
Yet, one cannot assume “if we build it they will come.” Experts have told us that when choosing cultural activities, people primarily contemplate entertainment value, the ability to experience something with friends or family, and the potential to expand one’s knowledge or horizons. It is these considerations that will guide the interpretive strategy for our Museum. Interactive platforms and fun aspects of the visitor experience will be key elements in the plan to attract children and youth, as well as the growing seniors market.
Displays of the Museum’s collection and artifacts alongside evolving and interactive content about dog breeds, the AKC and the role of dogs in society will illuminate the human-canine
bond and showcase our organization in a completely new and contemporary light. Our aim is
to present programming that balances art, education, data and whimsy, so that visitors are
inspired to spend time with us and come back repeatedly with their friends and family. We will
have more than 17,000 square feet in which to tell the world our story and welcome everyone
to the wonderful world of dogs. The statement-making ground floor will host changing exhibits
and events and will offer curated retail items in a gift shop. The next floor up will be reachable
by an interior staircase and elevator, where the Museum will host the permanent collections
and a portion of the AKC Library for public use. Uniquely designed by the award-winning global
architecture firm, Gensler, the gallery experience will provide flexibility in a physical sense as
well as learning and gathering to maximize interaction with our subjects. Nearby on the fifth
floor will be the new home of AKC’s corporate offices. Construction is to begin within a month.
Guiding us in this significant outreach effort is our new Director of AKC Cultural Resources, as
well as four enthusiastic new members of the Museum’s Board of Directors. A smooth
transition for the artwork is already underway, and a collection management policy is in
development. There will be many updates in the coming months as we work toward our 2019
opening. I invite you all to become part of this exciting project. Together we will build a home
that pays homage to our traditions, inspires deeper learning, and invites the world to share our
passion for purebred dogs.
-- Ron
Friday, March 9, 2018
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
Fake Emails
Dear Club Officers,
Recently some of our Clubs were victimized by a "spear phishing" attack. Spear phishing attempts are customized emails that target a specific individual (often executives) and can come from anyone. They usually convey a sense of urgency and are requesting a specific action to be done. For example, the email may appear to come from the Club President to the Treasurer requesting a wire transfer to a 3rd party.
If you receive any emails of this nature, you should immediately confirm the authenticity of the email with the person from whom it was supposedly sent. Do not do this by replying to the email, as it may go right back to the hacker and can subject you to the possibility of further cyber-attacks. Instead, call the person directly who allegedly sent the email. If you are unable to reach them, wait until you do, prior to transferring any money or completing any action. Sophisticated hackers access the calendars of their targets and will often send the attack email when they know the person they are impersonating is traveling or otherwise difficult to reach.
If you receive any suspicious email, we recommend you immediately delete the email and advise your fellow officers, without replying to the original e mail.
Best Regards,
Dennis
Monday, March 5, 2018
AKC Scent Work
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