RCMA Begins Search for Next CEO, Honoring Harry Schmidt’s 13 Years of Leadership

PRESS RELEASE: AUGUST 13, 2025

For more than five decades, the Religious Conference Management Association (RCMA) has been a trusted community for faith-based meeting planners and hospitality partners, bringing people together to learn, connect, and grow. For the past 13 years, that mission has been shaped and strengthened by the leadership of Dr. Harry Schmidt, whose vision and dedication have helped RCMA reach new heights.

Now, RCMA begins a new chapter. Over a year ago, Dr. Schmidt shared with the RCMA Board his desire to start a well-planned transition, ensuring the next leader will be supported to continue RCMA’s mission and momentum. From the start, Harry expressed his hope that the process would be both comprehensive and transparent, giving the RCMA community confidence that the best possible leader will be chosen to guide the association into its next era.

“It has been a remarkable joy to serve this association,” said Dr. Schmidt. “I’ve always believed that RCMA is more than an organization—it’s a community rooted in faith, service, and connection. I’m filled with gratitude as we enter this new season, and I’m confident that the values and relationships at the heart of RCMA will continue to lead it into a future filled with purpose, growth, and greater impact.”

During the past 12 months, Harry and the Board engaged in thoughtful conversations and strategic planning to prepare for this transition. At the July 2025 meeting, the Board took a significant step forward, voting unanimously to retain SearchWide Global, an internationally respected executive search firm known for its integrity and proven results, to conduct a thorough search for RCMA’s next CEO.

The Board also formed a Search Committee to work alongside SearchWide Global. This committee includes Board officers Al Hutchinson (Committee Chair), Kurt Kjellstrom, Erin Ingler, and Steve Biffle, along with Board members Mike Gunn and Chariolett Johnson. Three additional RCMA members will be appointed to bring diverse perspectives and broad representation from across the association.

RCMA Board Chair Al Hutchinson said, “Under Dr. Schmidt’s leadership, RCMA has grown and made incredible contributions to enhance the faith-based community and the supplier partners who serve them. As a Board, we want to express our appreciation to Dr. Schmidt for his amazing vision, passion, and love for RCMA. It is clear that Dr. Schmidt is leaving RCMA in a much better place than when he took on this leadership position. For this we are truly thankful.”

Under Harry Schmidt’s leadership, RCMA transformed its brand, introducing the tagline Where Faith Meets, reimagining its international conference as EMERGE, and launching the CFMP certification program, which more than 250 members have now completed. He expanded RCMA’s media design and digital communications, helping to double supplier partnerships, and cultivating a close-knit community that continues to welcome new planners through grassroots connections. His service on national industry boards raised RCMA’s profile while strengthening its reputation for professionalism and care. Above all, Harry is known for his genuine spirit of service, his investment in the lives of others, and the lasting legacy of leaders he has mentored.

Plans are already underway to celebrate Harry’s legacy at EMERGE 2026 in Lexington this February. We will truly miss Harry’s leadership and the warmth he brings to this community. We also share Harry’s enthusiasm for the future of RCMA, confident that we are poised for growth, innovation, and greater impact for years to come.

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About RCMA

The Religious Conference Management Association (RCMA), founded in 1972, is the premier multi-faith, nonprofit organization serving religious meeting planners and their supplier partners. RCMA is dedicated to raising the standard of professionalism within the faith-based events industry and enhancing the experience of religious meeting attendees worldwide. Through its signature EMERGE conference, educational programs, certification (CFMP), and year-round professional networking, RCMA fosters a collaborative community where planners and suppliers learn from one another and work together to achieve excellence in faith-based events.