Schedule
Click on a speaker’s name to view a photo and bio. View map of the venue to see meeting locations. Detailed descriptions of the Friday workshops and other additional information can be found in our convention app.
Thursday, October 16
8 AM
Boxed Lunch Pickup (tour attendees only)
Tom and Vi Zapara School of Business
9 AM - 1 PM
Media Tours: TBA
Sign-ups open until noon on Oct. 14
Student attendees have priority
Sign up at bottom of registration page
Meet at front area of parking lot at least 45-60 minutes before tour starts
An email with details will go out Wednesday evening, Oct. 14
9 AM - 11 AM
Union Publication Editors’ Meeting (self-led)
Zapara, Room TBA
9 AM - 11 AM
Conference Comm Director Meet & Greet (self-led)
Zapara, Room TBA
10 AM - 5 PM
Registration
Hole Memorial Auditorium
1 PM - 1:40 PM
Student Orientation
Zapara, Room TBA
1:45 PM - 5:15 PM
General Session and Activities
Welcome: SAC President JeNean Lendor and SAC Executive Director Kimberly Luste Maran
Featured speakers
“Compassionate Self-Care for Communicators” - Presented by Tanya Cochrane
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“When You Work in Hollywood” - Presented by Merlinda Balmas
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“Think Digital: Let’s Talk About AI” - Presented by Jason Caston
Hole Memorial Auditorium
5:30 PM - 8 PM
Opening Reception & Exhibits
Combined SAC exhibitor showcase and La Sierra University's annual "Meet the Firms" networking event, featuring food truck dining with time to connect with fellow SAC attendees as well as network with potential employers and service providers.
Zapara Business School, Troesh Conference Center
Friday, October 17
Breakfast - On Your Own
8 AM - 4 PM
Registration
Zapara Business School
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Keynote Address
Presented by Seth Yelorda
President, Vision Clarity Consulting
Troesh Conference Center
10:45 AM - 12:15 PM
Workshops: Session 1 - Breakout Rooms
Social Media & Strategic Communication
TBA
Presented by Jason Caston
Zapara Business School, Room TBA
Written Word
“Freelance Writing in a World of AI”
Presented by Becky St. Clair
Zapara Business School, Room TBA
Advent Connect’s Frame
“Using the Church and School Website Platform to Maximize Your Church’s Digital Presence”
Presented by Anthony White
Zapara Business School, Room TBA
Photography 1
Presented by Ronald Pollard
Bring your cameras and take your photography to the next level.
Zapara Business School, Room TBA
NEW - Advanced Practice Track - Workshop 1 (Sign Up Required, For Church Communication Employees)
"The RESPECT Index: Strategic Framework for Communication"
Presented by Ray Tetz and Greg Dunn
The Advanced Practice Track (SACAPT) is designed for working communication professionals employed by Seventh-day Adventist organizations. This strictly limited-admission series seeks to create a generative environment for the peer group of working communication professionals to focus on communication strategies and leadership development. The SACAPT workshops for the 2025 pilot series will take participants beyond basic concepts for the exploration of conceptual frameworks, executive lead-discussion, and emerging practices in three priority areas for denominational leaders in communication.
Zapara Business School, Room TBA
12:15 PM - 2 PM
Lunch
Dining Commons
12:45 PM - 1:30 PM
SAC Business Meeting (during lunch)
Dining Commons
2 PM - 3:30 PM
Workshops: Session 2 - Breakout Rooms
Podcasting
Presented by Kirk Nugent
Zapara Business School, Room TBA
Design
TBA
Description to come.
Zapara Business School, Room TBA
Purpose-Driven Communications: Why the Church Needs Your Talents
Think church communications is just bulletins and websites? Think again. Discover the surprising variety of roles available in church communications as experienced panelists will share their inside knowledge for building a rewarding career at local or higher levels, while reaching people and communities in powerful new ways. For college/university student attendees.
Facilitated by Matt Webster
Zapara Business School, Room TBA
Marketing/PR
“Build a Strong Reputation Management Program” Presented by Molly Smith, Public Information Officer, Riverside County District Attorney’s Office.
Effectively communicating essential information while remaining considerate of the organization’s values. Smith will share her tools and tips gleaned from her experience in her current role and her former role as senior public relations officer for Loma Linda University Health.
Zapara Business School, Room TBA
NEW - Advanced Practice Track - Workshop 2 (Sign Up Required, For Church Communication Employees)
“Ask Me Anything: Getting Communicators Inside the Adventist C-Suite”
Panel discussion hosted by Bradford C. Newton, Pacific Union Conference President
Moderators: Alyssa Truman and Ray Tetz
The Advanced Practice Track (SACAPT) is designed for working communication professionals employed by Seventh-day Adventist organizations. This strictly limited-admission series seeks to create a generative environment for the peer group of working communication professionals to focus on communication strategies and leadership development. The SACAPT workshops for the 2025 pilot series will take participants beyond basic concepts for the exploration of conceptual frameworks, executive lead-discussion, and emerging practices in three priority areas for denominational leaders in communication.
Zapara Business School, Room TBA
3:30 PM - 4 PM
Break
Ballroom Foyer
4 PM - 5:30 PM
Workshops: Session 3 - Breakout Rooms
Social Media
"Social Media Marketing - Moving the Message to the Next Level"
Presented by Patricia Maxwell
Zapara Business School, Room TBA
Photography 2
Presented by Ronald Pollard
Bring your cameras and take your photography to the next level.
Zapara Business School, Room TBA
Leadership in Media
Presented by TBA
Zapara Business School, Room TBA
Social Media
“Unlocking LinkedIn”
Presented by TBA
Zapara Business School, Room TBA
NEW - Advanced Practice Track - Workshop 3 (Sign Up Required, For Church Communication Employees)
“Legal, Ethical, and Moral Issues in the Age of Misinformation and AI”
Presented by attorneys Bob Burrow, North American Division General Counsel; Jon Daggett, Pacific Union Conference General Counsel; and Todd McFarland, Deputy General Counsel for the General Conference
Moderator: Ray Tetz
The Advanced Practice Track (SACAPT) is designed for working communication professionals employed by Seventh-day Adventist organizations. This strictly limited-admission series seeks to create a generative environment for the peer group of working communication professionals to focus on communication strategies and leadership development. The SACAPT workshops for the 2025 pilot series will take participants beyond basic concepts for the exploration of conceptual frameworks, executive lead-discussion, and emerging practices in three priority areas for denominational leaders in communication.
Zapara Business School, Room TBA
6 PM - 7 PM
Dinner - Festival of Sabbath begins; Hosted by the Pacific Union Conference
Troesh Conference Center
7 PM - 8:30 PM
Festival of Sabbath
Evening Program with Featured Speaker:
Kendra Haloviak Valentine
Troesh Conference Center
8:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Churro and Cocoa Afterglow
Sponsored by Pacific Union Conference
Zapara Business School Veranda
Sabbath, October 18
Breakfast - On Your Own
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Festival of Sabbath
Introduction, featured speakers, panel presentation, video showcase.
Hole Memorial Auditorium
12:35 PM
Group Photo
As instructed
1 PM
Lunch
Dining Commons
1:15 PM - 5 PM
Sabbath Afternoon Excursions:
Community Service - TBA
On Campus Activities - TBA
Meet at bus area
7 PM - 9 PM
Awards Banquet
Troesh Conference Center