Connect Faith

Orlando, Florida Marriott Orlando World Center

What Is Connect Faith?

Connect Faith is an annual education conference and appointment- only trade show that brings together the most active planners, suppliers, and experts in faith-based meetings and events for three days of general sessions, roundtables, workshops, preset appointments and networking.

 

Who attends?

  • Reformed Church in America
  • Ambassadors for Christ Inc.
  • Unitarian Universalist Association
  • The Salvation Army US South
  • National Bible Bowl
  • New Beginnings Christian Centre
  • New Creation Christian Fellowship
  • Association of Youth Ministry Educators
  • North American Christian Convention

 

 

2019 Keynote Speakers (2020 Coming Soon)

Connect Faith 2019 featured a keynote appearance by college football legend, professional athlete, television personality and New York Times bestselling author Tim Tebow, along with two-time plane crash survivor, college basketball player and inspirational speaker Austin Hatch. 

Faith speakers

Planners information

Register and Pay.

Get your $200 registration fee back after completing all scheduled Marketplace appointments.

Travel to Connect.

Attend the hosted-buyer event designed for association, corporate and specialty professionals.

Connect with Peers.

Meet with pre-selected suppliers in one-on-one appointments.

Learn from Experts.

Enjoy in-depth, interactive education on in-demand topics while earning continuing education credits.

Unwind and Mingle.

Continue networking at our fun receptions.

Registration cost

Registration starts at $200.

As a hosted buyer, you are our guest. Connect will fly you to the show, take care of all hotel arrangements, treat you to meals and entertain you with an exciting lineup of speakers and events. Expand your career with more than a dozen education sessions on topics such as contract negotiation, social media, new technology, security and so much more!

Suppliers information

Why connect?

  • Face–to-face meetings with qualified planners
  • Only planners who can book business qualify
  • 1:1 planner-to-supplier ratio
  • Full contact information for all meeting planners
  • Training with industry experts
  • Numerous networking opportunities to do business
  • ROI that is evident before you leave the conference
  • Book your hotel room using this reservation link

Registration cost

Registration starts at $4,450.

Additional attendee registration is $2,000. Talk to your regional sales rep for more information.

2020 Agenda

All Times Eastern

Monday, Oct. 19

Connect West Appointments

Sponsored by Visit Oakland

RECONNECT Virtual Happy Hour

Meeting planners: Enjoy this virtual happy hour experience from the comfort of your guestroom. Everything you need will be in your hotel room, just grab some ice and enjoy! Cheers!

Mask-erade Opening Reception

Tuesday, Oct. 20

Hosted breakfasts (invitation only)

Trade Show Opens

Association/Specialty/Faith Appointments

Powered by Visit Oakland

Education

Powered by Visit Oakland

Education

Sponsored by Visit Sacramento

Lunch

Corporate/Luxury Appointments

Powered by Visit Oakland

Education

Powered by Visit Oakland

Education

Open Night

Wednesday, Oct. 21

Trade Show Opens

Association/Specialty/Faith Appointments

Powered by Visit Oakland

Education

Powered by Visit Oakland

Education

Sponsored by Explore Utah Valley

Lunch

Corporate/Luxury Appointments

Powered by Visit Oakland

Education

Powered by Visit Oakland

Education

Sponsored by Visit Tucson and The Westin La Paloma

Closing Cocktails

Trade Show Hours

8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

2020 Education

 

 

 

 

Sponsored by

Visit Oakland

 

 

Subject to change

NOTE: Attendees will have the opportunity to log into the appointment portal on Oct. 7 and sign up for all activities and sessions that they wish to participate in. Please note that we are following the state of Nevada’s guidelines, so there will be an attendance cap of 50 people per session. All sessions are first come, first served.

 

Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020 • Corporate/Luxury

THEATER 1 

9-10 a.m.: "Contracting Strategies In and Beyond a Covid-19 World"

10:30-11:30 a.m.: "Successful Contract Negotiations in an Uncharted Landscape"

2-3 p.m.: "Culinary Comeback"

3:30-4:30 p.m. "Meeting the Changing Needs of Budgets in Unprecedented Times"

THEATER 2  

9-10 a.m.: "Postmodern Shoppers, Post-Covid-19: Consumer Behavior in the New Normal"

10:30-11:30 a.m.: "AV 101: Covid-19 Edition"

2-3 p.m.: "Virtual Event Options for Special Events"

3:30-4:30 p.m.: "Unconscious Bias"

THEATER 3  

9-10 a.m.: "Social Media Marketing in the Covid-19 Pandemic Era"

10:30-11:30 a.m.: "Social Restart"

2-3 p.m.: "Communicating in the Covid-19 World"

3:30-4:30 p.m.: "Covid-19 Hotel Panel"

THEATER 4  

9-10 a.m.: BizBash Session 1

10:30-11:30 a.m.: BizBash Session 2

2-3 p.m. BizBash Session 3

3:30-4:30 p.m. BizBash Session 4

Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020 • Association/Specialty/Faith

THEATER 1  

9-10 a.m.: "Contracting Strategies In and Beyond a Covid-19 World"

10:30-11:30 a.m. "Successful Contract Negotiations in an Uncharted Landscape"

2-3 p.m.: "Culinary Comeback"

3:30-4:30 p.m.: "Social Restart"

THEATER 2  

9-10 a.m.: "Postmodern Shoppers, Post-Covid-19: Consumer Behavior in the New Normal"

10:30-11:30 a.m.: "AV 101: Covid-19 Edition"

2-3 p.m.: "Social Media Marketing in the Covid-19 Pandemic Era"

3:30-4:30 p.m.: "Convention Center Safety Panel"

THEATER 3  

9-10 a.m.: F&B Safety Panel

10:30-11:30 a.m.: "The RFP Process: Reawakening From the Pandemic"

2-3 p.m.: "Unconscious Bias"

3:30-4:30 p.m.: Covid-19 Hotel Panel

THEATER 4  

9-10 a.m.: BizBash Session 1

10:30-11:30 a.m.: BizBash Session 2

2-3 p.m.: BizBash Session 3

3:30-4:30 p.m.: BizBash Session 4

2020 Location

Orlando World Center Marriott
8701 World Center Drive
Orlando, Florida 32821

Experience the world of possibilities of Orlando World Center Marriott. Only minutes from the Disney theme parks, the Lake Buena Vista, Florida hotel provides a convenient shuttle service included in the resort fee. Relax and recharge in spacious hotel rooms that feature featherbeds, mini-refrigerators, reading chairs, large desks and Wi-Fi. Many rooms offer balconies with views of the nightly light show or the pools. Play 18 holes on the challenging golf course, work out in the modern gym, take the plunge in one of the outdoor pools, relax in one of the cabanas or ride on one of the two 200-foot waterslides. Rejuvenate before or after a busy day in the full-service spa and indulge at one of the exceptional hotel restaurants. This Orlando resort is also ideal for large-scale corporate events and special celebrations, boasting more than 338,000 square feet of sophisticated event space.

 

Frequently Asked Planner Questions

How much does registration cost?

Qualified planners pay a $200 registration fee that will be returned at the end of the conference if all Marketplace appointments are kept.

When will I get my registration fee back?

Once all Marketplace appointments have been fulfilled and the final set of Marketplace appointments have concluded, refunds will be available at the pick-up table located just outside the Marketplace area.

How does the appointment process work?

Planners and suppliers will receive an email stating that the appointment request process is open. Mutual requests get priority, then planner requests are granted, followed by supplier requests. It is not a first-come, first-served process. As long as you complete your requests by the designated end date, your appointment selections will be granted the appropriate priority.

  • Connect will provide you with a custom link, ID and password.
  • You can review your profile and contact us if you would like to make changes.
  • Click on the “Browse Directory” to see who is attending and use the sorting options to narrow down the list.
  • Click on “Make Appointment Request” to select destinations you are interested in meeting for your one-on-one appointments.

A few helpful hints: First, review whom you’d like to meet. When requesting appointments, you can arrange them in order of preferences using a tab on the right. If someone has requested you and you’re interested in meeting with them, request them back to increase the likelihood of receiving that appointment on your schedule. The Connect portal can be used with Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome browsers. Both are available to download for free. If you are still having difficulty processing your appointment requests after downloading Firefox or Chrome, contact us.

What if I need a scooter on-site for transportation?

Connect recommends that attendees who need mobility scooters rent them through Amigo Mobility in Grand Rapids. You can find more information on their website or by calling 616-361-7559.

Is transportation covered?

Connect will cover your transportation if applicable. A Connect travel member will contact you 2-4 weeks prior to the event to finalize all travel. We do not cover parking expenses, so be prepared for this additional cost.

When will you book my hotel room?

You will receive an email confirmation from the host hotel for a secured room about two weeks prior to the event. It might show a room rate, but attending as a planner, you will not be responsible for this charge. However, you will be asked to put down a credit card for incidentals when you check into your hotel. Incidentals are not covered by Connect.

What is Connect's refund/cancellation policy?

A Hosted Buyer is required to pay a fee to guarantee registration. Once a Hosted Buyer completes all of the preset appointments, the fee will be refunded. If a Hosted Buyer misses any appointments, cancels attendance after the appointment portal opens, or cancels attendance at any point 24 hours after flight booking, the deposit refund is forfeited and the Hosted Buyer's credit card on file will be charged the entire amount of the airline ticket, (As well as costs incurred in securing non-refundable hotel accommodations in the planners name for the duration of the event.) Hosted Buyers also forfeit their fee if the meeting qualification information presented to our staff is falsified, if the data on the registration page is false or exaggerated, if the Hosted Buyer does not have any influence on the decision process, or if there is any misrepresentation by the Hosted Buyer. If the Hosted Buyer's application is denied, the Hosted Buyer will be refunded the respective deposit.

 

Refund will be available after fulfillment and final set of appointments at the event have concluded. It is the sole responsibility of each planner to pick up their refund before leaving the event. The attendee agrees to settle all disputes regarding their deposit, reimbursement, refunds, and incentive within 30 days post-event. All disputes not settled within 30 days post-event will be null and void and no deposit, reimbursement, refunds, or incentive will be eligible to be collected.

Frequently Asked Supplier Questions

What is a reverse tradeshow?

Our innovative Marketplace system matches planners and suppliers for individual appointments based on their requests, as well as additional factors. Planners sit at designated tables and suppliers have 1-2 minutes to travel between appointments. A chime signifies the beginning and end of each appointment.

How does the appointment process work?

Planners and suppliers will receive an email stating that the appointment request process is open. Mutual requests get priority, then planner requests are granted, followed by supplier requests. It is not a first-come, first-served process. As long as you complete your requests by the designated end date, your appointment selections will be granted the appropriate priority.

You will receive an email prior to the show with instructions for logging into the appointment portal.

When does the appointment portal open?

The appointment request process will begin approximately 4 weeks prior to the event date. You will be notified via the email used during registration when the portal is open.

How much does registration cost?

Registration starts at $4,450. Non-appointment attendee registration is $2,000. Talk to your regional sales rep for more information.

How do I book my hotel room?

Supplier attendees receive a special rate from our host hotel. Please book your room using the reservation portal below.

SUPPLIER HOTEL RESERVATION PORTAL

Note: Suppliers opting to stay outside the event room block will incur a $350 non-host hotel fee.