Participating Association partners

    About the conference

    DigitalMediaCon 5.0 is a three-day online conference focusing exclusively on digital media and marketing for Christian communicators. The live virtual conference will take place October 22-24, 2024. All sessions will also be available for on-demand viewing through January 23, 2025.

    The event is produced by the Evangelical Press Association (EPA) with the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) as the co-presenting organization. An additional seven Christian media associations are participating partners.

    A virtual conference platform provides a single login space where registered attendees can conveniently access recorded sessions, interact through networking with community discussion boards, and browse the virtual exhibit floor. The platform will provide access to all sessions for 90 days through January 23, 2025.

    A Conference all about Digital Communications and E-Marketing!

    SESSION speakers

    There are nine live and two pre-recorded sessions featuring ministry and industry leaders, individuals who have risen to the top of their professions and are widely respected for their skills and knowledge. This is where you will be challenged, trained, and equipped to take your skills to a higher level.

    Chief Technology Officer | Global Media Outreach

    Yvonne Carlson

    Yvonne Carlson | Chief Technology Officer
    Global Media Outreach

    Founder/President | Groundwire

    Sean Dunn

    Sean Dunn | Founder/President
    Groundwire

    Digital Marketing Manager | Frontgate Media

    Katie Nguyen

    Katie Nguyen | Digital Marketing Manager
    Frontgate Media

    Podcast Producer | Area Code Audio

    Richard Clark

    Richard Clark | Podcast Producer
    Area Code Audio

    Social Media Specialist | Informa Markets

    Jennifer Clark

    Jennifer Clark | Social Media Specialist
    Informa Markets

    Digital TV Host | CBN News

    Billy Hallowell

    Billy Hallowell | Digital TV Host
    CBN News

    Editor-in-Chief | ChurchTechToday.com

    Kenny Jahng

    Kenny Jahng | Editor-in-Chief
    ChurchTechToday.com

    Social Media Consultant | Delaware ShoutOut

    Brooke Miles

    Brooke Miles | Social Media Consultant
    Delaware ShoutOut

    Technology Consultant | Generous Mind

    Jon Hirst

    Jon Hirst | Technology Consultant
    Generous Mind

    Lead Pastor | Evangelical Friends Church

    Paul Hoffman

    Paul Hoffman | Lead Pastor
    Evangelical Friends Church

    Director of AI Lab | Biola University

    David Bourgeois

    David Bourgeois | Director of AI Lab
    Biola University

    Founder | VerifiedHuman

    Micah Voraritskul

    Micah Voraritskul | Founder
    VerifiedHuman

    Social Media Strategist | Voice of the Martyrs

    Megan Conley

    Megan Conley | Social Media Strategist
    Voice of the Martyrs

    Writer, Designer, Content Strategist | Kramer Creative

    Brad Kramer

    Brad Kramer | Designer, Content Strategist
    Kramer Creative

    conference schedule

    day 1 agenda

    Tuesday, October 22, 2024

    12:00 pm (ET)

    Maximizing Story: The Power of Storytelling Through Multiple Platforms

    12:00 pm (ET) - 12:50 pm (ET)

    Billy Hallowell – Journalist and Digital TV Host
    CBN News

    This session will focus on how one piece of content can be used in multiple locations, on various platforms, and to advance the original intent of a singular story. Rather than reinventing the wheel, this session will help busy faith reporters and hosts ponder how they can streamline their stories for maximal impact. Billy Hallowell will share tips and ideas that can help further each interview.

     

    What you will learn:
    • Why it’s important to rethink how stories are collected
    • How streamlined story collection can help fuel content for various platforms
    • How one interview can be used in various places/on numerous platforms

    1:15 PM (ET)

    Don’t Get Left Behind: How to Craft an Online Brand

    1:15 PM (ET) - 2:05 PM (ET)

    Jennifer Clark – Social Media Specialist
    Informa Markets

    In this one-hour workshop, communicators will learn how to develop a compelling and authentic social media presence that aligns with their personal values and mission. We’ll explore strategies for creating a distinctive personal brand that resonates with your audience while staying true to your core beliefs. Participants will gain practical insights on leveraging various social media platforms to amplify their message, engage with their community, and grow their influence by sharing meaningful parts of themselves online.

     

    What you will learn:
    • Defining your unique voice and message as a values-driven communicator
    • Crafting a cohesive personal brand across different social media platforms
    • Creating content that authentically reflects your beliefs and engages your audience
    • Balancing personal and professional aspects of your online presence
    • Strategies for growing your follower base and increasing engagement
    • Tips for maintaining consistency and authenticity in your social media communications

    1:15 PM (ET)

    7 Unknown Best Practices For Using ChatGPT For Superior Results

    1:15 PM (ET) - 2:05 PM (ET)

    Kenny Jahng – Editor-in-Chief
    ChurchTechToday.com

    Description pending.

    This session will be pre-recorded.

    2:30 PM (ET)

    How to Use Free Google Tools to Attract and Track Search Engine Traffic to Your Content

    2:30 PM (ET) - 3:20 PM (ET)

    Brad Kramer – Designer & Content Strategist
    Kramer Creative

    Almost 70 percent of all online experiences begin with a search engine. However, search engine optimization (SEO) often seems complicated and costly to content creators. In this workshop, I’ll show you how to use little-known (and totally free) Google tools to attract and track search engine traffic to your content.

     

    What you will learn:
    • How to leverage search engine optimization (SEO) for digital content creation
    • How to use free Google tools to attract and track search engine traffic

    3:45 PM (ET)

    ON DEMAND — BEST OF 2023 DIGITAL MEDIA CON 4.0

    3:45 PM (ET) - 4:35 PM (ET)

    Click on the ON-DEMAND SESSIONS tab above to see the selection of videos from past conferences. Two of these will be unlocked each day of the conference. Once unlocked, they can be watched on-demand anytime.

    day 2 agenda

    Wednesday, October 23, 2024

    12:00PM (ET)

    Leveraging Digital Media to Interrupt Millennials and Gen Z with the Gospel

    12:00PM (ET) - 12:50 PM (ET)

    Sean Dunn – Founder/President
    Groundwire

    Young people are not only digital natives, they are also digital addicts.  This does create problems, but it also creates signfiicant opportunities.  In this workshop we will examine Millennials and Gen Z’s behaviors and spiritual beliefs and we will explore strategies and messaging that is bearing significant fruit for the Kingdom.  We will also share practical tips about how you can effectively use an interruptive approach to digital ministry.

     

    What you will learn:
    • Gain understanding of the spiritual beliefs and behaviors of Millennials and Gen Z
    • Be challenged to consider how to share the unchanging message with an audience and culture that shifts quickly
    • Be challenged to think creatively about their approach to social media proclamation
    • Be challenged to get outside the box, do something different and allow the data to help them determine effectiveness

    1:15 PM (ET)

    Maximizing Success with Social Media

    1:15 PM (ET) - 2:05 PM (ET)

    Megan Conley – Social Media Strategist
    Voice of the Martyrs

    What does success on social media look like for your organization in 2025? Drawing on her years of experience managing social media for The Voice of the Martyrs, Megan will share the keys she’s learned to finding success in social media efforts. From tips for re-purposing content, which analytics are important to track, or if it’s worthwhile expanding into new social platforms, you’ll walk away with practical steps to help maximize your success, no matter your team size or social media budget.

     

    What you will learn:
    • Best practices for re-purposing content for social media
    • How to find success on a video platform without any video
    • Why organic social media is just as important (or more important) than paid ads
    • Which metrics actually matter

     

    This session will be pre-recorded.

    1:15 PM (ET)

    Grow Your Brand with YouTube

    1:15 PM (ET) - 2:05 PM (ET)

    Brooke Miles – Social Media Consultant
    Delaware ShoutOut

    Video may be the most effective way to build your brand, but it can also be daunting, especially on YouTube. Brooke Miles of Delaware ShoutOut will share how she went into full force into making YouTube videos in the summer of 2020, organically growing her channel from 12 subscribers to 20,000 subscribers today. YouTube has enabled her to boost her revenues and transform her local business into one that serves clients around the world. Brooke will also share her biggest surprises and hardest lessons learned—along with practical tips you can use right away—so YOU can put your best foot forward with YOUR journey on YouTube!

    2:30 PM (ET)

    Connecting AI Ethics to Everyday Work (panel)

    2:30 PM (ET) - 3:20 PM (ET)

    Jon Hirst – Technology Consultant (moderator)
    Generous Mind

    We all know there are significant ethical questions that AI raises for our work, but many times the conversation can remain out of reach. Join our discussion as we bring creatives, pastors, educators and ministry leaders with deep AI expertise together to talk about the practical application of AI ethics.

     

    Panelists:

    Paul Hoffman | Lead Pastor, Evangelical Friends Church
    Micah Voraritsku | Founder, VerifiedHuman
    David Bourgeois | Director of AI Labs, Biola University

    3:45 PM (ET)

    ON DEMAND — BEST OF 2023 DIGITAL MEDIA CON 4.0

    3:45 PM (ET) - 4:35 PM (ET)

    Click on the ON-DEMAND SESSIONS tab above to see the selection of videos from past conferences. Two of these will be unlocked each day of the conference. Once unlocked, they can be watched on-demand anytime.

    day 3 agenda

    Thursday, October 24, 2024

    12:00 PM (ET)

    AI in Digital Evangelism

    12:00 PM (ET) - 12:50 PM (ET)

    Yvonne Carlson – Chief Technology Officer
    Global Media Outreach

    Description pending.
    1:15 PM (ET)

    Podcasting Beyond Preaching: Authentic Connections and Spiritual Impact Through Audio

    1:15 PM (ET) - 2:05 PM (ET)

    Richard Clark – Podcast Producer
    Area Code Audio

    The “Christian” podcast category is the most crowded on Apple Podcasts. That’s because a large portion of those podcasts are actually collections of sermons from pastors and churches. But that mindset often carries over to Christian podcasts that often lead with certainty and authority. In this workshop, we’ll challenge that status quo and discover how to create podcasts that foster genuine connection, model the posture of Jesus, and provide opportunities for true spiritual impact among our listeners.

     

    What you will learn:
    • Basic technical and format considerations that can help potential and existing podcasters connect more deeply with their audiences
    • The unique opportunities and risks that come with creating a podcast
    • How to create a podcast that causes audiences to feel seen, understood, connected more deeply to the host

    2:30 PM (ET)

    Navigating the Maze: What to Do When Your Marketing Tactics Aren’t Working

    2:30 PM (ET) - 3:20 PM (ET)

    Katie Nguyen | Social & Digital Marketing Manager
    FrontGate Media

    Are you feeling stuck, frustrated, or overwhelmed because your marketing efforts seem to be falling flat? You’re not alone. In today’s ever-evolving landscape, it’s easy to feel lost when your tried-and-true strategies no longer deliver the results they once did.

    Join us for an eye-opening seminar where we’ll dive deep into what to do when it feels like none of your marketing tactics are working. We’ll explore how to reassess your current strategies, pivot to fresh approaches, and, most importantly, understand the diverse range of marketing options available to you.

    Discover how each tactic—whether it’s content marketing, social media, SEO, email campaigns, or paid ads—bears fruit differently. Learn the keys to identifying the right combination of strategies that align with your business goals and audience needs. Whether you’re looking to tweak your existing efforts or overhaul your entire marketing game plan, this seminar will equip you with the insights and tools to turn frustration into fruitful results.

    Don’t miss this opportunity to re-energize your marketing approach and unlock the potential for growth and success!

     

    What you will learn:

    • Identify and Diagnose Ineffective Tactics: Learn how to critically evaluate your current marketing strategies to pinpoint what’s not working and why. Understand common pitfalls that could be undermining your efforts, such as targeting the wrong audience, misaligned messaging, or poor timing, and how to address them effectively.

    • Explore a Spectrum of Marketing Options: Gain a comprehensive understanding of various marketing channels and tactics—like content marketing, social media, SEO, email marketing, and paid advertising—and how each can serve different business objectives. Discover how to choose and mix these options to create a balanced, multi-channel strategy that maximizes your reach and impact.

    • Build a Dynamic, Results-Driven Strategy: Walk away with actionable steps to create a flexible and adaptive marketing plan. Learn how to measure the performance of each tactic, make data-driven adjustments, and ensure your marketing efforts are always aligned with your evolving business goals and market conditions.

    These takeaways will empower you to turn your marketing frustrations into a well-informed, results-oriented strategy that drives growth and success.

    3:45 PM (ET)

    ON DEMAND — BEST OF 2023 DIGITAL MEDIA CON 4.0

    3:45 PM (ET) - 4:35 PM (ET)

    Click on the ON-DEMAND SESSIONS tab above to see the selection of videos from past conferences. Two of these will be unlocked each day of the conference. Once unlocked, they can be watched on-demand anytime.

    BONUS SESSIONS

    Watch any time on-demand

    ON DEMAND

    Marketing Pit: From Pitfall to Profit

    ON DEMAND -

    Kirsten McKinney – CEO
    Digital Growth Mastery

    Are you tired of pouring money into your marketing efforts with little results? What if I told you that even successful organizations often unknowingly lose money in their marketing every single month? Now, picture unraveling the secret to recapturing those lost profits in your marketing campaigns. In this captivating session, Kirsten McKinney unveils the treasure map that leads to reclaiming your lost profit. With her expertise, she highlights the eight most prevalent marketing pitfalls and equips you with powerful strategies to avoid them.

    ON DEMAND

    Enhancing Efficiency: Mastering AI and Automation in Everyday Tasks

    ON DEMAND -

    Yvonne Carlson – Chief Technology Officer
    Global Media Outreach

    Dive into the transformative world of AI and automation with this practical workshop. Learn how cutting-edge AI solutions can simplify complex tasks, boost efficiency, and make your everyday life and work processes smoother. From personal to professional, discover the myriad ways AI can be your efficient assistant.

    ON DEMAND

    Digital & Social Content Development for Brand Communications

    ON DEMAND -

    Allison Steinke – Assistant Professor
    Hubbard School of Journalism & Mass Communication

    This workshop focuses on the conceptual and practical skills necessary for content creators, editors, and managers to create, produce, publish and distribute content for brands. The workshop will address new technologies for branded storytelling including various forms of online video, longer form digital content such as blogs and web sites, and social media community content created for social platforms. The workshop will also incorporate elements of user experience and the skills necessary to adapt and modify content in an iterative process after analyzing audience data, and will also discuss emerging trends including influencer marketing and partnerships.

     

    What you will learn:
    • Best practices to develop and manage a brand’s voice/tone on digital and social media platforms
    • How to create a compelling, flexible, & adaptable content strategy & editorial calendar based on analytics &amd search engine optimization (SEO) principles to optimize your brand/organization’s user &and customer experience (UX/CX)
    • How to utilize and monitor analytics to build social media communities and advocates and adapt the plan based on engagement

    ON DEMAND

    Platform Boosting Email Newsletters

    ON DEMAND -

    Thomas Umstattd, Jr. – CEO
    Castle Media Group LLC | Author Media

    Learn cutting-edge techniques to get more email subscribers, avoid spam filters, and craft the kind of emails that subscribers want to forward to friends.

    ON DEMAND

    Love It or Leave It? Christian Ethics, Generative AI, and Publishing

    ON DEMAND -

    Jason Thacker – Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Ethics
    Boyce College/Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

    No matter where we turn these days, it seems that everyone is talking about how artificial intelligence is (and will continue to) radically alter everything about our lives. From our work to our families, we are already using these tools whether we realize it or not. As we seek to cultivate wisdom and discernment in navigating our digital age, how does God call us to respond and think about AI and its vast implications on writing, reporting, and publishing? No matter what challenges we may face today or into the future, God is reminding his people to love him and love our neighbor as ourselves especially in the work he has called us to do.

    ON DEMAND

    Tell Our Story: Resisting Cynicism and Spreading Joy in Our Online Discourse

    ON DEMAND -

    Daniel Darling – Director, Land Center for Cultural Engagement
    Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

    Cynicism has become a cottage industry, especially online, especially among evangelicals. And to be honest, we have our share of scandals and epic fails. But if we are not careful, we’ll let ourselves and our organizations become catechized by bad headlines. We’ll miss what God is doing in the world among his people. This is not a call to naiveté, but to look up and see what God is doing and to tell that story—in our social media engagement, in our public witness, in the stories we tell.

     

    What you will learn:
    • How to evaluate your online disposition
    • How to recognize the whole story
    • Why you should ask yourself if what you are doing promotes unity or division
    • How to recognize where God is at work and tell that story

    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    If you are a current member of one of the following partner associations, you qualify for the discounted member rate:

    ACP, BCA, CBN, CCCA, CNA, ECPA, EPA, MTI, NAE

    All times listed are Eastern Daylight Time (GMT-0400, New York USA).

    A few days before the start of the event, you will receive an email with the URL and login information for the Whova event platform. If you do not receive it by Oct. 20, please send an inquiry or call 480-868-2466. Login will require you to use the same email address entered on your registration form.

    The Whova event platform can be accessed on desktop and laptop computers as well as with an app for mobile devices. While computers may provide a more pleasant viewing experience on a larger screen, some networking and interactive experiences are optimized for the mobile app. It is possible to use both a computer and mobile device simultaneously.

    All the sessions will be recorded and available a few days following the event for viewing for 90 days after the live event ends. Registered attendees may sign in to the Whova platform anytime during that window to view the sessions.

    Most sessions will include live Q&A with the speakers as well as a chat feature to interact with other attendees. Virtual meet ups will be available for anyone to schedule.

    DigitalMediaCon 5.0