EMERGE is About Education.

Oct 16

RCMA's Emerge Conference offers industry-leading educational opportunities, including Education Sessions, Roundtables, and Learning Labs. Emerge offers multiple education slots during the conference, plus pre-event Professional Development and Hands-On Hospitality sessions.

EMERGE SCHEDULE

EDUCATION SESSIONS

9 breakout tracks offering 27 breakouts give you the flexibility to focus on what matters most. Whether that’s mastering the basics, exploring advanced event design, navigating legal and tech challenges, or investing in personal and professional growth. From supplier insights to planner toolkits, each track delivers targeted content to equip you for success.

INDUSTRY LEADING PRESENTERS

EMERGE brings you industry-leading voices who are shaping the future of meetings and events. Learn directly from experts, innovators, and trailblazers, including:

Chris Ackerman • Mike Work • Barbara Dunn • Jim Spellos • Chef Chris Ross • LaTonya Richardson • Stuart Katz • Al Hutchinson • Jamie Kervin • Alissa Bush • Fiona Nieman • Kim Dooley • Sheila Wendelburg • Leslie Miller • Martina Barksdale • Mary Jane Speer • Dean Jones • eShow staff • Grace Gorrell • Tommy Keown • Desira Stewart • George McKain • Coleen Wall • Steve Sewell • and more!

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SESSION

From Vision to Execution — Designing the Full Journey of a Religious Conference or Event
LED BY MIKE WORK
Tuesday, February 10, 2026 • 9–11am

Planning an event is more than booking a speaker and building a schedule—it’s about designing a journey that moves people. In this dynamic breakout session, veteran producer Mike Work will guide you through the full lifecycle of a religious event, from pre-event communication to post-event follow-up.

You’ll gain practical tools to elevate programming, enhance the attendee experience, and navigate common challenges with creativity and clarity. Come ready to interact, reflect, and leave with a framework you can immediately apply—whether you’re planning for 200 or 10,000.

HAND-ON HOSPITALITY SESSION

LED BY THE TEAM FROM CENTRAL BANK CENTER
Tuesday, February 10, 2026 • 9–11am
(FIRST TIME ATTENDEES ONLY)

New to Event Planning? Join Us for the Hands-on Hospitality Experience! First-time event planners, arrive early to EMERGE and participate in the Hands-on Hospitality Experience on Tuesday morning. Go behind the scenes with the Convention Center team and gain practical insights into catering, room setup, banquets, and logistics. Registration required—don’t miss this invaluable opportunity! Come prepared to work, with casual clothing and close-toed shoes.

ROUNDTABLES

Are you looking for intentional discussions around current topics, trends, and categories? Join a Roundtable offered during each educational slot. You'll find facilitated discussions to align with your path, concerns, and interests. With lots of relevant topics to choose from–engage with one for the entire time, or move on to others to learn and contribute to the dialogue.

Legal – Barbara Dunn
Citywide Site Selection Secrets – Jamie Kervin & Alissa Bush
Sustainability – LaTonya Richardson
Contract Negotiation – Fiona Nieman
Engaging Locals in the Bidding Process – Kim Dooley
Mental Wellness – Stuart Katz
Tech – Jim Spellos
International Site Selection & Contracting – Sheila Wendelburg

LEARNING LABS

Want to dive deeper and learn from vendors and their services? Join a Learning Lab during an EMERGE education slot! These sessions offer an insider's view of often-used but rarely-understood services. You'll learn the benefits, challenges, and a birds-eye view of the process, equipment, and steps needed to utilize services like: