Hundreds of planners and suppliers gathered in Chattanooga for connection, inspiration, and education for RCMA's EMERGE 2023 conference. We were refreshed by each other's company and inspired by each other's faith. Here are some highlights of the rich experiences we enjoyed at the event.

NEW ENERGY

Over 200 first-time planners and suppliers joined us for EMERGE 2023! Before the event's official start, RCMA hosted a First-Timers Reception on Monday night to greet our new friends. Over 100 newcomers mingled and enjoyed yummy food at the Chattanooga Convention Center.

The official kick-off for EMERGE was Tuesday night's Opening Reception at the Tennessee Aquarium. Astonishing views of sea life surrounded us in one of the country's largest fresh and saltwater aquariums. Local musicians performed, artists painted, and southern cuisine was around every turn!

SESSIONS, SERVING & SIGHTS

Super Tuesday anchored EMERGE's pre-event offerings with serving, education, and excursion opportunities.

Tuesday morning professional development
sessions included Hands-On Hospitality, a behind-the-scenes look at event preparation, Technology for the Small Office/Home Office and Road Warrior with tech guru Corbin Ball, and the Meeting Planners Basics Bootcamp led by RCMA's Dean Jones and Arrowhead's Tommy Keown.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace provided hands-on serving by sanding, drilling, and assembling bed frames for children in need. Attendees also assisted in delivering these new beds directly to local families. In total, 75 beds were built for children who were without one. Additionally, as the sponsor of the EMERGE Step Challenge, Meet Minneapolis made a $1,000 donation to Sleep in Heavenly Peace.

The Chambliss Center for Children provided another serving opportunity: participants sorted donations and supplies for needy families. Many attendees also participated in the Children's Library Project by bringing children's books to EMERGE. Over 600 books were donated to Read20, a program encouraging parents to read to their children for 20 minutes daily. These books will be donated to local children in the Chattanooga area. Scott Higgins and his team from Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board, sponsors of this project, exemplify how to give back to their community.

The ever-popular EMERGE Sightseeing Tours, hosted by the Chattanooga Tourism Co., led attendees on awe-inspiring excursions! Participants took in breathtaking views from Lookout Mountain, rode the Incline Railway, and visited Rock City Gardens. Some journeyed inside historic Lookout Mountain to see Ruby Falls, the US's tallest and deepest underground waterfall. Additional tours included a Raccoon Mountain Hike, Chattanooga Historical Trolly Tour and Riding the rails at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum.

Chattanooga has many interesting sights and beautiful vistas; one afternoon wasn't enough to take it all in!

WARM HOSPITALITY

"As soon as I visited Chattanooga, I fell in love with this city. This is a place that is marked by people caring for people… Hospitality is Chattanooga's primary nature." – Harry Schmidt, RCMA CEO & President

The city's motto, "When you are in Chattanooga, you are simply one of us," was expressed in the warm welcome from Chattanooga Tourism Co. President and CEO Barry White and his team. Right from the start of the first general session, we tapped our toes to a genuine bluegrass band and filled our stomaches with Tennessee biscuits and gravy!

Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly encouraged us, "The faith community is very important to the fabric of Chattanooga. Your work in restoring connections in the context of values and faith is critically important to this country."

INSPIRING POSITIVITY

Will Bowen, the founder of The Complaint Free Movement, brought a practical message challenging us all to redirect complaints – our own and those we receive. Instead of complaining, "Speak directly and only to the person who can address your issue. This is not a complaint; it's a request for accountability. But be sure to stick to the facts."

A WELCOMING EXCHANGE

A sense of vitality and energy was palpable during the EMERGE expo/trade show sessions. President Harry Schmidt remarked, "We have renamed our trade show "The EXCHANGE"– an exchange of conversations, relationships, and positive contacts for exciting new meetings. It is so valuable for us to have great partners that come alongside faith-based planners to provide welcoming environments."

Connections and partnerships blossomed during each EXCHANGE session. The refreshments, snacks, and giant cookies provided a boost too!

"I've made a lot of connections and have six RFPs. I've already booked two pieces of business here at EMERGE that I just need to finalize when I return. This is an amazing event where we always close business. I also have a lot of camaraderie with other destinations and planners. I keep those relationships going throughout the year.” – JoAnne Richards, Explore Gwinnett

HOPE AND HEALING

Star basketball player, stand-up comedian, and award-winning broadcaster Vera Jones moved us from laughter to tears. She shared her personal story of overcoming challenges as a single mother of a son who's hearing impaired and legally blind. Vera emphasizes, "Faith, focus, and fortitude. Life is about developing these things." She continued, "You don't progress on sight; you progress on vision. You step into something you have never done before because you trust your vision. Vision is faith in your future."

Vera's closing words uplifted us, "This is what you, RCMA, really do: You help plan and contribute to a world's hope and healing. You are faith-based people who inspire, uplift, and unite the world. Remember your significance in uplifting others."

Many attendees shared how they were deeply impacted by Vera's story, including:

"I have a special needs son, so her story about all the challenges she and her son have faced really connected. Her faith just followed through…that was great." – Shannon Brogan, Renaissance Suites Hotel, Glenview, Illinois
"I was really moved by Vera's story about her son and his health challenges. She connected it to everyday living and how we, as planners, go through challenges but must persevere. It was very inspiring." – Daniel Nolan, Daniel T. Nolan Agency

AFFIRMATIONS & GROWTH

Thursday began with the affirmation of RCMA board members to new and additional terms. We welcomed new board members Stuart Katz and Tonga Peterson and appointed Al Hutchinson as the new Board Chair. Deborah Davies and Dr. Keith Kershaw were honored for their service as they retired from the RCMA Board.

"I would not be where I am had it not been for the time I spent with RCMA. Learning to hone my skills, multitask, and deal with challenges. This is an association of the best of the best." – Bishop Dr. Keith Kershaw, COO, Church of God in Christ

During EMERGE, members who earned the Certified Faith-Based Meeting Professional designation (CFMP) over the last year were recognized. In addition to these affirmations, EMERGE provided professional development, including 18 breakouts across three educational sessions.

"The workshop about contracts was very enlightening. It was easy to follow, even for a first-timer. Contractual agreements today can be hard to navigate, but listening carefully to your clients and providing them with clear language can eliminate many issues." – Angela Tomi, DuPage CVB

A HOSPITALITY OF LOVE

Our final general session featured renowned speaker and author Pastor Albert Tate. Threaded with humor and truth, Tate delivered a message relevant to our community of event hospitality professionals. Tate shared, "You have the gift of hospitality. You are thinking about things before anyone else thinks about them. It is a gift the world needs more now than ever…the behind-the-scenes gift." He continued, "Hospitality is about bringing different types of people together. Treating them with grace so that we may all become one."

Though simple, Tate's message centered on a profound truth: Hospitality is the expression of love… and love is the true expression of God. He further challenged us that this act of love begins well before a meeting starts. "What if God wants us to be behind-the-scenes people who preset rooms with love? That is our call. To set up every room with love."

Extending love through hospitality is transformative. Tate said, "What you do and contribute to is so significant. You set atmospheres. You create space for the divine. People will walk away and never be the same again… You literally make the world a better place. You create spaces for transformation. How we love in those spaces really matters."

FAITH & BLESSING

EMERGE 2023 closed with a deep sense of gratitude. President Harry Schmidt offered a heartfelt thanks to our wonderful event host, "The Chattanooga Tourism Co. is undoubtedly the embodiment of everything that a wonderful community-serving organization should be. They represent the finest of all convention centers, CVBs, DMOs, and tourism organizations. Since our first meeting with Barry and his team, we knew we were working with people of excellence. We are deeply grateful for your marvelous hospitality and the excellence you have demonstrated."

A fitting conclusion to the event was singer-songwriter Blessing Offor's profoundly authentic and soulful performance. From his rendition of the Bob Dylan classic, "Make You Feel My Love," to his acclaimed single "Brighter Days," Blessing moved us emotionally and spiritually.

RCMA is "Where Faith Meets." We are an association of people marked by deep care – care for details and care for one another. Our sense of spirituality is best expressed in our love. EMERGE 2023 was a meaningful opportunity to experience that love and care in real time and to remind us how fortunate we are to be a part of such a special community.

For more photos of EMERGE 2023, click here.