Phoenix, named after the legendary bird, symbolizes renewal and resilience—a fitting destination for the RCMA community to EMERGE. In this sunny city, we came together to rise, renew, and elevate our potential to new heights, stronger than before.

GIVING BACK

Serving the local community is always a meaningful part of EMERGE. This year, participants volunteered at St. Mary’s Food Bank, which provides critical support to nearly 2 million Arizonans facing food insecurity. Attendees packed meals for the kids’ program—all while gaining insight into the organization’s incredible impact. As an additional show of support, Meet Minneapolis donated $1,000 to St. Mary’s Food Bank on behalf of Step Challenge participants.

Another hands-on initiative, organized by Visit Phoenix, brought volunteers together at the Phoenix Convention Center to assemble hygiene and activity kits and write uplifting cards for people in need across greater Phoenix.

Once again, Scott Higgins and the Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board team organized the Children’s Library Project, inviting donations of books for young readers. Thanks to the generosity of EMERGE attendees, hundreds of books were contributed to Child Crisis Arizona, which provides safe housing, foster care, adoption services, and more for vulnerable children.

At the Postcard Positives table, hosted by Destination Augusta, attendees were encouraged to write a postcard to themselves or someone needing encouragement. Destination Augusta donated $10 to Child Crisis Arizona for every postcard written, totaling $1000!

Visit Greenville hosted a station where participants created a mural to be displayed at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital, while the Greater Birmingham CVB invited attendees to assemble Cheeriodicals kits for patients at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

Thank you to all who served and extended care to others at EMERGE 2025. Your generosity and kindness will continue to make a lasting impact.

SEEING THE SITES

Monday’s EMERGE Sightseeing Tours were a highlight, with many reaching full capacity. Attendees chose from five excursions, including visits to Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West, the Heard Museum, Desert Botanical Garden and Phoenix Zoo, the City of Phoenix Sustainability Tour, a downtown photography safari, and the Historic Churches and Religious Venues of Phoenix Tour. A huge thank you to Visit Phoenix for making these awe-inspiring experiences possible!

“I went on the historic churches tour the first day, which was tremendous. When a planner chooses a city, it is much more than the convention center or hotel. They choose a city because of the culture, the people, and the way of life. Getting people outside the convention center on these tours and showing them the vibrance of the city is what brings it to life.”
— Meredith Dollevoet, Carter Bartow County Tourism

INSPIRATION & LEGACY

The EMERGE Opening Reception, hosted by Visit Phoenix, welcomed us to The Abbey on Monroe, a breathtaking new venue built from the ruins of the historic Phoenix First Baptist Church, which was devastated by fire. The space preserves elements of its past, including the rose window, bell tower, and arched columns, blending history with renewal. As guests enjoyed local cuisine and lively conversation, the atmosphere reflected the essence of EMERGE: transformation and shared experiences.

“Anytime you care so much about something, you want to share it with others. We can’t wait for you to have experiences in Phoenix that you want to share with your friends and family.”
— Jerry Harper, Director of Phoenix Conv. Center & Venues

The first general session opened with an exhilarating performance by the Phoenix Church of God in Christ Choir. Their gospel music and interpretive dance lifted hearts, setting the stage for a gathering infused with passion and purpose.

This spirit of cultural richness continued with a breathtaking presentation by Tony Duncan, known as Yellow Bird Dancing, and his family. Their performance featured an Indigenous intertribal style of dancing, the hoop dance, and a Native American flute. “We honor everyone who creates this beautiful, great circle of life,” Duncan shared. Through movement and music, they celebrated the strength and beauty of Native traditions.

Keynote speaker Dan Owolabi delivered a powerful message on legacy. “We all want our work to matter and to leave a legacy,” he reflected. But he challenged us to shift our perspective: “The wrong question is ‘what is my legacy?’ The right question is ‘who is my legacy?’ When you start to ask this, you begin to see people differently. You see potential in others and begin to call it out of them. That is where your legacy begins.”

He left us with a stirring charge: “This year, may you run when you feel like walking, may you push when you feel like pausing, and may you go when you feel like staying. Work like you believe God is working through you, and lead your life today because you are ready to leave a legacy tomorrow.”

The final general session featured Arthur Brooks, an expert on the science of happiness from Harvard Business School. He reinforced the unique role of faith-based event planners in fostering true well-being. “There aren’t many industries like faith-based meeting planning that can bring more happiness in accord with the science of well-being,” he noted. “Faith makes you happier by pulling you above your daily life—it allows you to zoom out,” Brooks explained. “You are putting together events for people to gather with friends and family in the context of their faith in God. You are in the
happiness business.”

“Arthur Brooks’ talk reassured me that my work matters. We are in the business of creating joy and bringing people together. Being a part of creating those moments is really meaningful and wonderful.”
— Chanel Gomez, Unitarian Universalist Assoc.

TRUSTED PARTNERS

Tuesday’s lunch session at Emerge, hosted by Melvin Tennant, President and CEO of Meet Minneapolis, brought together a distinguished panel of meetings industry experts. The panel featured Kelly Harrill, Executive Vice President of Hospitality for Khoury Corp.; Anna Nash, Senior Vice President of Market Development for ASM Global; Marlinda Henry, Director of Event Planning for the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship; Scott Falk, President and CEO of Arrowhead Conferences & Events; and Lorne Edwards, Chief Sales Officer for Visit Phoenix.

Together, they unpacked key findings from the latest RCMA Planner Survey, highlighting the critical role of trusted relationships in the site selection process. The conversation underscored the value of partnerships between destinations, suppliers, and planners—connections that Emerge is uniquely positioned to foster.

Panelists emphasized how essential it is for planners to find the right destination partners, a sentiment backed by the survey’s findings. “What stands out to me is that 71% of planners are looking to find a destination partner from Emerge. You aren’t going to find that at any other trade show.”, noted Anna Nash of ASM Global.

Scott Falk of Arrowhead Conferences & Events put it into perspective: “With about 60,000 hotels in the U.S., plus thousands of venues, how do you sort through it all to find the right fit? The Emerge trade show helps you see who truly values your business and is committed to serving faith-based planners.”

A significant portion of the discussion centered on the role of Convention & Visitors Bureaus (CVBs) and Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs), which the survey showed are indispensable to planners. For Marlinda Henry of Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship, those relationships are the foundation of her planning process. “For me, it’s all about trust. When I look for a destination, I need partners I can rely on—people who might even become friends. Once I establish that trust with a DMO or CVB, I know they’ll help me find the right hotels and spaces for my events.”

Lorne Edwards of Visit Phoenix echoed that sense of partnership, who described CVBs as “the connective glue between venues, service partners, and planners.” Anna Nash reinforced their importance, sharing that her team reaches out to a CVB 100% of the time when handling an RFP. “A CVB is your boots on the ground—they do your recon. They understand the politics and relationships of a city in ways that save planners time and effort.”

“My biggest takeaway was the importance of working with a CVB. Moving forward, they will be our first call when planning an event. I wouldn’t have realized that without coming to Emerge. The support and encouragement here have been invaluable.”
— Tamara Terry, Texas Conf. of Seventh-day Adventists

COMMUNITY & CONNECTIONS

From the moment attendees arrived at Emerge, there was an unmistakable feeling of reunion. More than just a conference, Emerge is a gathering where relationships are built and strengthened year after year.

“What I enjoy the most is seeing you reconnect, and the smiles on your faces,” said Ron Price, President and CEO of Visit Phoenix. “We get to come to work every day and help make those memories happen for you all.” That spirit of hospitality was evident as planners, suppliers, and industry professionals embraced the opportunity to learn, collaborate, and, most importantly, connect.

RCMA President Harry Schmidt called the event “another great reunion of our RCMA family” and thanked Visit Phoenix for their warm welcome. That sense of connection is what keeps people coming back. “RCMA is all about relationships— it’s more hugs than handshakes!” said Anna Nash. For many, Emerge is more than a professional event; it’s a cherished tradition.

“Honestly, it feels like a family reunion, I love seeing all the familiar and new faces, meeting people for the first time, and checking in with planners I’ve met through the years. This is one of my favorite conferences.”
— Allison Dye, Louisville Tourism

“The people who come to Emerge and the RCMA staff are so generous. That is what makes it special. I am retiring soon and will miss the fellowship and hospitality of my supplier and planner colleagues. Being a part of RCMA is like being a part of a family.”
— Melinda Garritano, Meet Chicago Northwest

LEARNING & GROWING

Education is always a cornerstone of EMERGE, and this year was no exception. Four dedicated education tracks—covering legal, planner tools, tech, and wellness—allowed attendees to sharpen their skills in key areas. Roundtable Discussions and Learning Labs provided even more ways to engage, offering deep dives into topics that mattered most to planners and suppliers alike.

For those eager to get a head start, early arrivals took advantage of a Professional Development Session led by tech expert Jim Spellos, where they explored hands-on AI applications tailored for event planning. Meanwhile, first-time planners gained a behind-the-scenes perspective in the Hands-On Hospitality session, hosted by the Phoenix Convention Center. This unique experience gave newcomers an inside look at meal prep, décor, and room setups—essential for executing seamless events.

“Emerge has been enlightening! I am surprised at how well-rounded this conference is. From the Mental Health track, Step Challenge, Scavenger Hunt, and education for beginners to experienced planners, it opened my eyes to so many possibilities.”
— Allison Dye, Louisville Tourism
“If you’re a new planner, where do you start? RCMA provides all the necessary resources to learn, grow, and build relationships. Without it, you wouldn’t come close to being as successful as you can be—whether you’re a planner or a supplier.”
— Kelly Harrill, The Khoury Corp

Beyond the sessions, EMERGE also celebrated professional growth. More than 30 individuals were recognized for earning their Certified Faith-Based Meeting Professional (CFMP) status in the past year, a testament to their dedication to excellence in event planning.

RISING TOGETHER

“To the hundreds of meeting planners and hospitality professionals: You matter.
You are significant. You change lives, you are impacting people on a daily basis.
You ensure that people of faith can gather together to be encouraged, instructed, and inspired.
We are so deeply proud of you and deeply grateful for you.”
— Harry Schmidt, RCMA President & CEO

The faith-based meetings industry continues to rise—renewed, resilient, and ready for growth. EMERGE 2025 embodied that spirit, uniting a community dedicated to elevating faith gatherings to new heights.

That hope is well-founded. According to RCMA’s latest survey of meeting planners, 94% anticipate growth in the faith-based meetings industry, with 28% expecting strong growth. Within their own organizations, 70% foresee expansion in the coming years, reinforcing a bright future for faith gatherings. This optimism reflects a thriving industry and a deeper purpose—ensuring that people of faith can continue to gather, learn, and be inspired.

That spirit of the RCMA community resonated beyond the event itself. “I can’t help but marvel at the profound energy that has filled this city over the past few days,” said Lorne Edwards, Chief Sales Officer for Visit Phoenix.“You brought purpose, creativity, and connection to Phoenix in a way that resonates far beyond these walls. May the seeds planted here grow into something extraordinary in the coming years.”

Edwards reflected on the deeper significance of faith-based events, adding, “The RCMA community’s commitment to elevating faith-based events not only brings people together, it reminds us of the deeper meaning of what we do. You don’t just plan meetings—you create sanctuaries for connection, purpose, and transformation.”

RCMA is “Where Faith Meets.” With renewed vision and strengthened purpose, the journey continues. See you next February in Lexington!

For more photos of EMERGE 2025, click here!