Each year at Emerge we give our attendees a variety of ways to give back to the host city. We have found that this not only has a great impact on the local community, but also can have a profound impact on those who participate. We hope you will engage with one of our opportunities to serve others while you are in Lexington! Be sure to select your serving option during registration.

TUESDAY SERVING PROJECTS AT EMERGE 2026

ONSITE at the Central Bank Center – TUESDAY 9:00am–11:00am

CARE PACKAGE ASSEMBLY FOR LEXINGTON RESCUE MISSION

The Lexington Rescue Mission's mission is to serve and glorify God by fulfilling the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of hurting people in the greater Lexington area through a Christ-centered ministry.

Volunteers will assemble resource bags that include basic hygiene items, protein bars, bus passes, and water bottles in drawstring bags so that we can hand those out to clients who are living on the streets. Volunteers can also write a personalized note that can go in each bag. Please wear comfortable clothing. https://lexingtonrescue.org/

SACK LUNCH ASSEMBLY FOR HOPE CENTER

The Hope Center in Lexington, KY, has a mission to provide life-sustaining and life-rebuilding services to individuals facing homelessness, addiction, and mental health challenges, with the motto, "WE HELP. WE HEAL. WE GIVE HOPE".

You will help with preparing sack lunches for The Hope Center’s Street Outreach Program and HopeMobile. Volunteers will help prepare sack lunches that are distributed to people in need each weekday at different locations throughout downtown Lexington. Please wear comfortable clothing. https://hopectr.org/

OFFSITE at God’s Pantry Food Bank – TUESDAY 9:00am–11:00am

Bus Provided from Central Bank Center. Hunger is invisible - and it can affect anyone, regardless of where you live, how old you are, or how you appear. In Kentucky, 1 in 6 people are unsure of where they will get their next meal. God's Pantry Food Bank is a nonprofit organization that distributes food to 50 counties in Kentucky.

You’ll help with assembling boxes for their senior program. You will experience moderate physical activity, and water will be provided. Wear comfortable clothing and closed toe shoes. (Details subject to change.) https://www.godspantry.org/

MORE WAYS TO GIVE AT EMERGE

Children's Library Book Donations • sponsored by Valley Forge

RCMA, in partnership with our sponsor, the Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board, is collecting NEW children’s books at EMERGE to support our charity partner, For Hank’s Sake.

Hank the Horse is the heart behind For Hank’s Sake—a nonprofit dedicated to promoting childhood literacy by collecting and donating new books to children and schools in need. During the Thursday Expo, be sure to stop by the Valley Forge booth #323 and meet Hank in person!

Please plan to bring NEW children’s books with you to EMERGE and drop them off during trade show hours at Valley Forge’s Booth #323. Thank you for helping make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families in our communities.

Children's Hospital Art Project • sponsored by Visit Greenville

Help create a mural that will bring comfort and hope to a local Children’s hospital. No artistic experience is necessary! Participate during Emerge Registration and at Visit Greenville's booth (#315) during Expo hours. Thanks to Visit Greenville for sponsoring this meaningful project.

EMERGE Step Challenge • sponsored by Meet Minneapolis

This app-based challenge is gives the opportunity for attendees to track their steps, win prizes and give back! If we cumulatively reach 1 million steps, our sponsoring partner will donate $1,000 to RCMA’s local charity partner! Find out more and register HERE.

Post Card Positives • sponsored by Destination Augusta

Write a postcard to yourself or someone else who needs affirmation. We'll mail the postcards a few months later for a boost of encouragement.

RCMA will donate $10 per postcard to a local charity The Hope Center, an organization that provides services that help people heal from substance disorders, health disorders, and homelessness. Participate during Emerge registration and at Visit Augusta’s booth (#211) during Expo hours.

Cheeriodicals • sponsored by Greater Birmingham CVB

Help assemble a comfort care kit during the Emerge Exchange trade show to support children receiving treatment at the Golisano Children’s Hospital at UK. Each kit delivers comfort, encouragement, and a reminder that they are not alone.

RCMA is grateful for partners like the Greater Birmingham CVB, whose commitment to service and community is a reflection of what makes Birmingham a destination that genuinely cares for its partners and the people they serve.

Help us make a difference—one box at a time at Greater Birmingham CVB's booth (#301) during the Emerge Exchange trade show.

Booth Item Donations

Suppliers may donate items from their booths that we collect at the end of the trade show and donate to local charitable organizations. We have donated TV's, food items, furniture, hand sanitizer, office supplies and more.

EMERGE DETAILS & REGISTRATION