DVD is available for a limited time for $99.00.

There are some pictures on our facebook page: http://facebook.com/ministrycom We weren’t able to capture everything, so if you have additional photos to share, please add them to the album.

There was a nice article about MinistryCOM by one of our attendees on the Church Marketing Sucks website today. Check it out.

We do have recordings of most conference sessions available for sale.

We’re thrilled to have John joining us this year.

We have a few more scholarships available now. The scholarship covers the registration cost, but you still have to cover your own travel and lodging cost.

If you know someone who needs to come to MinistryCOM, but cannot afford the registration, have them contact Terrell Sanders (tsanders@MinistryCOM.org) for a possible scholarship.

Here is a short interview where I discuss this concept: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LNWkjrGzUE

(yeah, sorry about the video quality, we had to shoot the interview when the studio was still under construction.)

I know the airlines and other conferences have started a practice of offering super last-minute discounts. I think this cheats their loyal customers who registered early and just encourages (and rewards) the practice of last second registrations. As such, MinistryCOM does not offer last second discounts, secret discount code through bloggers and partners, and other marketing gimmicks to drive up last minute registrations at the expense of our loyal members.

The best price for MinistryCOM is the earlybird price. It expires in just over two weeks. The earlybird discount will not be extended, and I promise you we won’t offer super-special last minute deals the week before the conference. I want to reward our faithful attendees who do register early every year.

To those of you who do register early, THANK YOU, you make conference planning and budgeting much easier! Register today.

“Basic Training – How One Person Can Change the World”

This track is designed for the church communicator who is new to the position or is serving as a one- or two-person communications department. Sessions provide tools, training and tips to help you juggle all your responsibilities, including writing, simple design, project management, message development, team-building and leadership relations. You’ll leave feeling empowered and ready to serve as a catalyst for improving how your church communicates.

Session 1: “It Starts with a Plan”
The first and best step you can make toward changing how your church communicates is to move yourself out of reactive mode and into proactive mode. This starts by making a plan for managing and maneuvering communications processes and messaging. This session coaches you on how to get ahead of the game and be ready to support ministry and church-wide communications needs with confidence and kindness.

Session 2: “Quick! Write Something They’ll Read”
The Twitter world has reduced readers’ attention spans to a mere 140 characters. That’s why written content must now be as simple and clear as possible, whether you’re writing for the Web, a newsletter or the Sunday program. You’ll leave this session with fresh approaches for writing content that will provoke readers to pay attention and respond.

Session 3: “Design in a Snap”
Despite your lack of a graphic design degree, you find yourself pulling together promotional pieces or e-news on a regular basis. This session gives non-designers practical tips and tools to bring a more professional and polished look to your visual communications tools.

Session 4: “Don’t Go It Alone – How to Develop a Communications Team”
By tapping into the communications volunteer potential within your church, you not only get help to get the job done, but you also help others realize their purpose and potential. This session will inspire you to seek out skills within your congregation, then build and nurture an effective communications team.

Session 5: “Help Me Help You – Leading Up to Best Serve Your Church Leaders”
Do your leaders have a tendency to give you information too late for it to be communicated well? It’s crucial to develop relationships with church leaders so they see you as a trusted partner in the communications process. This session will provide insight into how to build trust so that people’s perceptions change from seeing you as a doer and gatekeeper to that of a trusted minister whose input they value and seek out.

Session 6: “Lessons Learned – Sharing Stories with Fellow World-Changers”
This session is just the beginning for you to build a nationwide network of ideas, encouragement and support. Here you’ll share stories about what’s working in your church’s communications world, then you’ll exchange contact information for ongoing networking.

The secret is that we are taking almost the whole hotel and all the rooms are the same price. In our reserved block we have:

• 16 rooms with 2 queen beds
• 17 rooms with 1 king bed
• 14 suites with 1 king bed
• 3 suites with 2 queen beds

All the rooms are the same price. The first 14 people to register in our block can get a king suite for same price as a regular room. Notice there are only 3 suites with 2 beds, so if you want one of those you better make your reservation today.

If you want the best deal, register now.

Our special rate is $94 per night – includes room, free internet, free hot breakfast, free parking, and free shuttle service to/from the conference.

Reserve rooms online or call 1-800-HOLIDAY. Use group code ‘MIN’ to receive discount rate.