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 will be available in our convention app soon.
Thursday, October 16
8:30 AM
Boxed Lunch Pickup (tour attendees only) ~ Sponsored by Adventist Health
Tom and Vi Zapara School of Business
9:00 AM - 1 PM
Media Tours
Student attendees have priority
Meet at the Zapara parking lot at least 45-60 minutes before tour starts.
9 AM - 11 AM
Union Publication Editors’ Meeting (self-led)
Zapara, Room 235
10 AM - 12 AM
Conference Comm Director Meet & Greet (self-led)
Zapara, Room 236
8:30 AM - 5:00 pM
Morning Registration (8:30 AM to 12:00 PM)
Afternoon Registration (1:00 PM to 5:00 PM)
Zapara School of Business Rotunda
Hole Memorial
1 PM - 1:40 PM
Student Orientation
Zapara, Room 244
1:45 PM - 5:15 PM
General Session and Activities
Welcome:
SAC President JeNean Lendor, SAC Executive Director Kimberly Luste Maran, La Sierra President Christon Arthur, Pacific Union Conference Communications Director Ray Tetz.
Featured speakers
“Your Toughest Audience Is You: Communicating Self-Compassion”
Presented by Tanya R. Cochran
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“The Harvest in HOLLYWOOD is plentiful, but the INFLUENCERS are Few.”
Presented by Merlinda Balmas
Hole Memorial Auditorium
5:30 PM - 8:00 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.
~ partially sponsored by Adventist HealthCare
Zapara Business School, Troesh Conference Center
Friday, October 17
Breakfast - On Your Own
8:00 AM - 4 PM
Registration
Zapara Business School
8:00 AM - 9:15 AM
TechTalk with Bryant Taylor ~Sponsored by Adventist Connect
Troesh Conference Center
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Keynote Address
“Leading with Clarity Even When Everything Gets Lost in Translation”
Presented by Seth Yelorda
Troesh Conference Center
10:45 AM - 12:15 PM
Workshops: Session 1 - Breakout Rooms
Written Word
“Thriving as a Freelancer: Strategies for Success”
Presented by Becky St. Clair
Zapara Business School, Room 235
Digital Communication
“Leveraging the Power of Parasocial Relationships”
Presented by Larry Witzel, Ph.D.
Zapara Business School, Room 236
Photography - Session 1 of 2
Photography As Ministry & Storytelling
Presented by Ronald Pollard
*Bring your camera.
Matheson Chapel
NEW - Advanced Practice Track (APT) - Workshop 1
*The Advanced Practice Track (SAC APT) is a three-part series designed for working communication professionals employed by Seventh-day Adventist organizations. Advanced sign-up is required.
"The RESPECT Index: Strategic Framework for Communication"
Presented by Ray Tetz and Greg Dunn
Zapara Business School, Room 244
12:15 PM - 2:00 PM
Lunch ~ Sponsored by AdventSource
Dining Commons
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Workshops: Session 2 - Breakout Rooms
Zapara Business School, Room 235
Design
Born Creators: Bridging Art, AI, and Ministry
Presented by Felipe Gutierrez
Zapara Business School, Room 236
Photography - Session 2 of 2
Church Photography Masterclass
Presented by Ronald Pollard
*Bring your camera.
Matheson Chapel
NEW - Advanced Practice Track - Workshop 2
Advanced sign-up is required.
“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
Zapara Business School, Room 244
3:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Break
Ballroom Foyer
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Workshops: Session 3 - Breakout Rooms
Social Media
"From Clicks to Connection: Making Social Media Work For Good"
Presented by Patricia J. Maxwell
Zapara Business School, Room 235
Purpose-Driven Communications:
“Why the Church Needs Your Talents”
*For students and young professionals.
Facilitated by Matt Webster
Zapara Business School, Room 201
Adventist 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 236
NEW - Advanced Practice Track - Workshop 3
Advanced sign-up is required.
“Legal, Ethical, and Moral Issues in the Age of Misinformation and AI”
Presented by attorneys Todd McFarland, Deputy General Counsel for the General Conference and Jon Daggett, Pacific Union Conference General Counsel.
Moderator: Ray Tetz
Zapara Business School, Room 244
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Dinner - Festival of Sabbath begins
Hosted by the Pacific Union Conference
Troesh Conference Center
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Festival of Sabbath
Evening Program with Featured Speaker
Kendra Haloviak Valentine
Troesh Conference Center
8:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Churro and Cocoa Afterglow
Sponsored by the Pacific Union Conference
Zapara Business School Veranda
Sabbath, October 18
Breakfast - On Your Own
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Festival of Sabbath
Introductory session, featured speakers Dr. Sigve Tonstad and Bradford C. Newton, activities, and a video showcase.
Troesh Conference Center
12:35 PM
Group Photo
As instructed
1:00 - 2:00 PM
Lunch
Dining Commons
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Sabbath Afternoon Activities
TBA
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Awards Banquet
Troesh Conference Center