The RCMA community gathered in Lexington for EMERGE 2026, and from the first conversations to the final celebration, there was a real joy in being together. Across meals, sessions, tours, service projects, and time on the expo floor, this year’s gathering carried the warmth and welcome that are such an important part of EMERGE.

“Something I find really valuable is that this conference is big enough that you feel like you’re connecting with a lot of different people from different places, but small enough that it feels like one big family and community. I love how easy it is to build relationships with others.”
– Tashaunda Grimmett, Church of God in Christ

A spirit of hospitality was evident as planners, suppliers, and industry professionals embraced the opportunity to learn, collaborate, and build relationships. That care was reflected beautifully by our host city, Lexington. VisitLEX cared for people and details with excellence. Their team was present throughout the week, planning experiences, hosting, welcoming, and supporting the RCMA team with great care.

“Everyone’s so nice and friendly and welcoming! Every time I tell someone it’s my first time at EMERGE, they have nothing but the best things to say, and I’m finding that it’s true. This is the best-run conference I’ve ever been to.”
– Ashley Peruchietti, Discover Kalamazoo

SERVING & SHARING

Serving the local community is always a meaningful part of EMERGE. It brings people together around a shared purpose and gives the week a deeper sense of care. In Lexington, those opportunities were made possible through the work of VisitLEX and local partners who welcomed RCMA into their community.

On Tuesday, volunteers traveled to God’s Pantry Food Bank to pack more than 300 Commodity Supplemental Food Program boxes for seniors across Kentucky. Back at Central Bank Center, others assembled care packages for Lexington Rescue Mission and packed sack lunches for The Hope Center. These were simple acts of service, carried out with care, and they made a real difference.

“At EMERGE, we prepared lunches for homeless people. VisitLEX put a team of us together, and we prepared turkey and roast beef sandwiches, along with granola bars and a drink in each sack lunch. We ended up making 600 of those for them to distribute, so we were super happy to be able to bless them.”
– D. Ferrill Gallaway II, Bethel Christian Center

The Children’s Library Project returned as another special part of the week. Scott Higgins and his team from the Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board once again invited attendees to donate books for young readers, continuing an initiative that has become meaningful to the RCMA community.

This year, the donated books will be distributed through local partner For Hank’s Sake, an organization whose work centers on youth, community, and care. That partnership came to life in a memorable way when Hank the Horse made appearances at the Opening Reception and Thursday’s Exchange Expo. People were eager to stop by, say hello, gently pat his nose, and snap a photo!

At the Postcard Positives table, hosted by Destination Augusta, participants were invited to write a postcard to themselves or to someone needing encouragement. Small acts of kindness like these inspire optimism, boost confidence, and brighten lives. As an added gesture, Destination Augusta donated $1,000 to the Lexington Rescue Mission.

Thank you to all who served and extended care to others at EMERGE. Your generosity and kindness will continue to make a lasting impact.

BLUEGRASS WELCOME

Thursday afternoon tours offered several ways to experience the area, including a visit to a thoroughbred horse farm, a Bites of Bluegrass tour, the Ark Encounter, and a historic church walking tour. Each outing offered its own glimpse of the culture, history, and hospitality that make this part of Kentucky so distinctive.

“I went on the horse farm tour to Taylor Made Farm, and it was everything that I wanted it to be. It was a wonderful time. We got to be up close with adult and baby horses, and I even got to brush one of the horses. The owners also shared their vision for the farm, how their father built it, and the work ethic and heart behind it.” – Janae Lovern, Aglow International

EMERGE 2026’s Opening Reception was a true celebration of all things Kentucky, featuring live music, equine meet-and-greets, and special performances. Held at the Kentucky Horse Park, nestled in the rolling hills of Lexington, the evening gave participants a one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience the rich culture of the Bluegrass State. Many attendees were still talking afterward about the thrill of seeing the horses up close, the atmosphere, and the food! Thank you to our hosts VisitLEX for helping us to experience the charm and beauty that make Kentucky so special.

INSPIRATION & INSIGHT

This year’s general sessions brought inspiration, insight, and a strong sense of purpose. The opening session began with an exhilarating performance by Uniting Voices Lexington, a youth vocal ensemble led by Dr. Michael Preacely. The ensemble’s energy and spirit
lifted us and set a tone of joy and hopefulness.

Dr. Preacely shared a keynote on the power of music, drawing on his own story about how music gave him purpose and belonging. His message resonated with the RCMA community as he shared, “Purpose, love, vocation, and belonging all grow together. Conferences, when done well, do the same… they bring people into community where people can dream.” Dr. Preacely continued, “Conferences matter because they remind people of who they are and who they can become.”

“Dr. Preacely said, ‘Your gift will make room for your dreams,’ and that really resonated with me. Dreams don’t die from failure, they die from isolation. I was inspired to keep going and ask, why not now?”
– Margie McCartney, JEMS Hospitality Group

Michael Dominguez followed with an energetic look at the state of the hospitality industry. Drawing on current data and emerging trends, he helped attendees think clearly about the road ahead for meetings, travel, and event planning. His session gave people a wider view of the industry while speaking directly to what this might mean for our work ahead.

The final general session featured tech expert Jim Spellos, who brought practical guidance, humor, and a fresh perspective on the role of AI in meeting planning. Joined by his AI assistant, “G,” Jim encouraged us that, “AI WILL NOT take your job away. There is always room for a human in the middle. We are in the people business! People will always be needed for real connection.”

Then Spellos cleverly added, “AI WILL take your job away…by giving you a new tool set to do more and not just focus on the details. You get to spend more time focusing on all of the people you are serving and supporting.”

“Jim Spellos’ keynote gave me helpful insight into how I can make my job easier as a planner, reduce stress, and enhance our conferences and events for the future.” – Lorenzo Harrison, Church of God in Christ

A LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE

In addition to inspiration, our general sessions were also a time of recognition and celebration. Joe Fields of Lexington’s Central Bank Center and LeAnn Solosky of Fort Wayne’s Grand Wayne Convention Center received Awards of Excellence for their outstanding commitment to faith-based meetings.

Two of our most treasured meeting planners, Wilma H. Taylor and Stella Beene-Venson, were honored with Legacy Awards in recognition of their many years of dedication and lasting impact through event planning.

In addition to these special awards, twenty six people were recognized from the stage for earning their Certified Faith-Based Meeting Professional (CFMP) status in the past year. In total, nearly 60 professionals achieved this certification over the past year, a testament to their dedication to excellence as a meeting professional. See the list awardees at myRCMA.org/news.

EMERGE concluded with a moving celebration honoring the 14 years of service of Dr. Harry Schmidt, RCMA’s CEO and President. It was an evening filled with gratitude, stories, and genuine affection for a leader who has shaped this community with vision and care.

Go to myrcma.org/harry to read more and watch special videos honoring Dr. Schmidt.

EXPO-NENTIAL CONNECTIONS

Our suppliers are vital members of the RCMA community. We value every opportunity to invest in them and create opportunities for growth and meaningful partnerships.

“I think EMERGE is a great opportunity for us as suppliers to meet with a wide range of faith-based planners, stay on top of current trends in the industry, and continue developing our skills.” – Michael Cherek, Discover Green Bay

Relationships at EMERGE often grow across the table at a meal, during a tour, while serving, or in a breakout session. Expo time gives those conversations room to continue and move forward. In Lexington, it was encouraging to hear from many of our partners that they made important connections and had a fruitful time together.

“Of the four years I’ve been at EMERGE, this was by far the best expo time. The planners were very engaged, which I so appreciated.”‍ ‍
– Shaun Ballard, Visit Bloomington, Indiana
“I always make valuable connections in the EMERGE Expo. I see friends there too, both new and old, and I get to walk, so I get my steps in! The connections are invaluable. Even when I approach someone and can’t use the destination or services at that time, they still receive me well, and that means a lot.”
– Phyllis Doggett, Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference

LEARNING & GROWING

Education remains one of the strongest parts of EMERGE, and this year’s conference offered many opportunities for attendees to sharpen their skills and widen their perspective. Sessions covered legal issues, planner tools, technology, event design, meeting basics, next-level strategy, personal development and wellness. Tracks for suppliers and new planners added even more value, while RoundtableDiscussions and Learning Labs invited deeper conversation around issues shaping meetings right now.

“EMERGE has been enlightening! I am surprised at how well-rounded this conference is. From the Mental Health track, Step Challenge, scavenger hunts, and education for beginners to experienced planners, it opened my eyes to so many possibilities.” – Allison Dye, Louisville Tourism

For those eager to get a head start, early arrivals took advantage of a Professional Development Session led by events expert Mike Work, where they explored how to Design a Full Journey of a Religious Conference or Event–From Vision to Execution. For first-time planners, the Hands-On Hospitality session offered a behind-the-scenes look at the details that shape a successful event, hosted by Central Bank Center and Chef Chris Ross. Newcomers saw firsthand how event décor and room set-up come together, and even had the chance to help prepare their own lunch!

“This year I attended some of the breakout sessions on personal development. They are helping me become the best version of myself professionally and personally, so I can better serve my organization and strengthen my relationships with these planners.” – Michael Cherek, Discover Green Bay

LOOKING FORWARD

What we carry home from EMERGE is often found in both the planned moments and the ones in between. A hallway conversation. A shared meal. A new idea that sparks during a session. A welcoming face across the room. A new friendship that feels instantly natural. That spirit was felt throughout our time together in Lexington. It was there in the service projects, in the sessions, in the tours, in the celebration, and in the many moments in between. EMERGE 2026 gave our community time to reconnect, learn, encourage one another, and look ahead together.

RCMA is Where Faith Meets. We look forward to seeing you in Orlando for EMERGE 2027!

Michael Novelli is the Executive Editor of Aspire Magazine, published by Imago Creative in partnership with RCMA. Michael and his family live in Elgin, Illinois.

EMERGE Shines in Lexington