RCMA

New RCMA Topics articles are here for Summer, featuring fresh ideas by industry experts written exclusively for the RCMA community. Available now on the RCMA Blog and in the next in Aspire Magazine, this edition’s articles include:

LEADERSHIP with Al Hutchinson:
“A Collective Mindset vs An Individual Mindset”

TECHNOLOGY with Jim Spellos:
"Small Tech = Big Value"

WELLNESS with Stuart Katz:
“Faith After Crisis"

LEGAL with Barbara Dunn:
“Security Contract Essentials for Religious Meeting Professionals"

Read the articles now at https://www.myrcma.org/news
or tap our BIO link on Instagram and "NEWS"

Planning is well underway for EMERGE 2027, RCMA’s annual conference created to bring faith-based meeting professionals and hospitality partners together for learning, connection, and renewed purpose.

Recently, the RCMA staff and Board of Directors gathered in Orlando to begin shaping the experience that will welcome attendees January 5–7, 2027. The week included visits to the Orange County Convention Center, our host hotels, and the site of the Opening Reception, giving the team a firsthand look at how each space can support the conference and bring people together.

The visit also created time to look beyond the logistics. RCMA’s new President & CEO, David Wright, joined the Board in conversations about the organization’s priorities and future, while Conference Director Dean Jones and the planning team worked closely with our Orlando partners to turn the vision for EMERGE into a thoughtful and meaningful experience.

From the warm welcome we received to the spirit of collaboration throughout the week, Orlando already feels like a fitting home for EMERGE 2027. We are grateful for the people and partnerships helping bring it to life, and we look forward to welcoming the RCMA community for three inspiring days of learning, connection, and community.

EMERGE 2027
January 5–7 in Orlando, Florida

Visit Orlando

RCMA is thrilled to congratulate those who earned the Certified Faith-based Meeting Professional (CFMP) certification during the first half of 2026!

This accomplishment is a testament to their unwavering dedication and hard work in enhancing the quality and impact of faith-based events. Their commitment has not only elevated their own professional journeys but also enriched the entire RCMA community, fostering collaboration and support among peers. Together, we celebrate each other’s successes and strengthen our shared purpose within faith-based event planning.

See the list of new CFMP recipients here: https://www.myrcma.org/cfmp

on Instagram click our Bio Link and CFMP.

Looking for a destination that delivers the "Whoa" factor? Lexington, Kentucky offers the perfect blend of welcoming hospitality, convenient access, unique group experiences, and unforgettable Bluegrass scenery. From iconic horse farms to vibrant downtown attractions, it's a destination attendees will be talking about long after the meeting ends.

Learn More:
https://www.visitlex.com/guides/post/lexington-ky-has-the-whoa-factor-you-are-looking-for/

Visit LEX

Hyatt Regency Chicago has completed a multiyear, $200 million renovation, giving planners a refreshed option in one of the country’s major meetings markets. The final phase centered on the hotel’s 24,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom, including a nearly 7,000-square-foot foyer with built-in registration desks, new digital screens and a digital feature wall for large-scale events. Earlier phases updated guest rooms, the Regency and Crystal Ballrooms, and other meeting environments throughout the 2,032-room riverfront hotel. The property offers 240,000 square feet of meeting space, with views of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan.

Hyatt


Hyatt Regency Chicago

Destination Dayton has named John Oney as President & CEO, following the retirement of Jacquelyn Powell after more than 30 years with the organization. Oney stepped into his new role in Dayton after serving as Vice President, Sports & Meetings for Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge, where he led group sales strategies for sporting events, meetings and conventions. He brings more than three decades of hospitality experience, including sales roles with the RP Funding Center, Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa and Visit Central Florida. With Oney’s leadership, Destination Dayton enters a new chapter focused on growing tourism, strengthening partnerships and building momentum for the region’s visitor economy.

Destination Daytona

Dayton

RCMA Webinar Replay with Stuart Katz
Permission to Be Imperfect: An Honest Conversation About Wellness

Stuart Katz invited us into an honest, human conversation about presence, listening, humor, and the freedom of being good enough. There was laughter, reflection, and space to consider what it means to show up as we are, without pressure to have it all figured out.

This is such important content, we hope all of the RCMA community will listen and engage with what Dr. Katz shared.

Go to https://www.myrcma.org/webinars
or click our bio link and WEBINARS to watch the Webinar, listen to the audio / podcast, and sign-up for additional resources related to this talk.

New Headquarters Hotel for Savannah Convention Center

Savannah’s convention district continues to grow with the groundbreaking of Signia by Hilton Savannah, a new headquarters hotel connected to the Savannah Convention Center. Expected to open in 2028, the 444-room property will add more than 34,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 13,000-square-foot ballroom, along with several dining concepts and riverfront views. The hotel joins the city’s already expanded convention center campus and gives planners another strong option in a destination that blends walkability, character, and growing meeting capacity.

https://visitsavannah.com
Visit Savannah
-savannah
Savannah

The article “25 Event Survey Questions to Ask Pre, During, & Post-Event” from Cvent gives planners a thoughtful starting point for gathering meaningful feedback at every stage of the event lifecycle.

What the article provides: a curated set of survey questions organized by timing, along with practical guidance on how to gather feedback before, during, and after your event to better understand attendee needs and experiences.

Why This Matters for Planners: well-crafted questions lead to clearer insights, helping you understand what attendees value, where improvements are needed, and how to make more informed decisions for future events.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE:
https://www.cvent.com/en/blog/events/event-survey-questions

Cvent