AEC Leaders/Members Attend Adventist Communicators Conference in Orlando
AEC’s Communication Team and local leaders attended the annual Society of Adventist Communicators Conference, October 14-18, at the Orlando Marriott Lake Mary, Florida. The 3-day conference included media tours to a radio station, AdventHealth Headquarters, Full Sail University, and an NBC affiliate TV station. It also included keynote sessions and seminars on topics such as storytelling, podcasting, new technology, digital marketing, writing, AI, and more.
This year, in addition to LaTasha Hewitt, Communication Director, and Aimee Washington, Communication Specialist, attending, an AEC pastor and local church communication team members also attended for the first time. They shared their experiences:
Attending the Society of Adventist Communicators Conference was a wonderful experience. My first degree, earned at Atlantic Union College, was in communication. I later pursued other areas of study and became a pastor, but for the past 25 years I have woven communication into my ministry. I host a podcast and write for Message magazine and other publications.
This conference reconnected me with a community I have missed for a long time. I met professionals whose work strengthens our church and its message. Each workshop provided practical insight, especially the sessions on AI and its use in ministry, where the presenter answered many questions we have been asking. The keynote speakers offered a wealth of information and inspiration.
I returned home ready to help my church communicate more effectively with our community. It was a joy to spend time with the Allegheny East Conference communication team, and I am inspired by their daily work.
This past weekend, I had the privilege of attending the Society of Adventist Communicators conference in Orlando, Florida, and it was an incredible experience! I enjoyed the many seminars and presentations focused on improving the media and communications we produce as churches, along with the tours of professional media and broadcasting spaces.
My favorite part of the weekend was visiting AdventHealth headquarters, where I learned about the organization’s history, explored new innovations aimed at improving the patient experience, and toured its on-site broadcasting studio, Studio Seven. As the technical director for my local church’s livestream, I was impressed by the size of the studio and gained a greater appreciation for the work that goes into producing professional-quality content.
Overall, the conference was both informative and inspiring. I left with fresh ideas, new perspectives, and a renewed vision for how we can continue to grow and strengthen our communication and media ministry at my local church.
Dr. Phil Wesley, II - Pastor of United in Christ, Baltimore, Maryland
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I recently had the opportunity to attend the Society of Adventist Communicators convention in Orlando, Florida. As a recent graphic design graduate, one of my biggest takeaways was discovering the many opportunities to network, build meaningful connections, and grow within the Adventist community in my field of interest.
One of the highlights of the experience was touring the studios at Adventist Health and connecting with fellow graphic designers. It opened my eyes to the possibility of building a fulfilling career doing what I love in an environment that aligns with my faith, values, and beliefs—somewhere I can bring my whole self to the work I do.
Of course, the experience was made even more memorable by the ice cream social, fireside chat, and an incredible lineup of speakers who shared their knowledge and experiences. Overall, the convention was an inspiring and rewarding experience that left me excited about the possibilities ahead and grateful for the connections and insights I gained.
Donna Forteau, Community Church, Englewood, NJ
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This past weekend, I had the privilege of attending the Society of Adventist Communicators conference in Orlando, Florida, and it was an incredible experience! I enjoyed the many seminars and presentations focused on improving the media and communications we produce as churches, along with the tours of professional media and broadcasting spaces.
My favorite part of the weekend was visiting AdventHealth headquarters, where I learned about the organization’s history, explored new innovations aimed at improving the patient experience, and toured its on-site broadcasting studio, Studio Seven. As the technical director for my local church’s livestream, I was impressed by the size of the studio and gained a greater appreciation for the work that goes into producing professional-quality content.
Overall, the conference was both informative and inspiring. I left with fresh ideas, new perspectives, and a renewed vision for how we can continue to grow and strengthen our communication and media ministry at my local church.
Danielle Forteau, Community Church, Englewood, NJ