RCMA 2026
I’m honored to be speaking at the 2026 RCMA Conference—one of the premier gatherings for faith-based meeting planners and event professionals. This spring, I’ll be leading two sessions focused on creating excellent, mission-driven events without overspending. Whether you’re navigating production challenges or designing transformational attendee journeys, these talks are packed with practical tools, real-world stories, and lessons learned from decades of producing large-scale events in the faith space. I can’t wait to connect, learn, and grow alongside this incredible community of leaders.
Here’s an overview of what I’m presenting —
Tuesday, Feb 10 / Two-Hour Extended Class
Breakout Seminar: From Vision to Execution — Designing the Full Journey of a Religious Conference or Event
Led by Mike Work, COO, Velocity Experiences
Planning an event is more than booking a speaker and building a schedule—it’s about designing a journey that moves people. In this dynamic breakout session, veteran producer Mike Work will guide you through the full lifecycle of a religious event, from pre-event communication to post-event follow-up. You’ll gain practical tools to elevate programming, enhance the attendee experience, and navigate common challenges with creativity and clarity.
Come ready to interact, reflect, and walk away with a framework you can immediately apply—whether you’re planning for 200 or 10,000.
You’ll learn how to:
Align your event programming with your mission and audience
Manage attendee expectations through intentional communication
Design impactful environments and seamless transitions
Leverage AI and new tools to simplify your planning process
Evaluate your event for long-term growth and spiritual impact
Includes interactive exercises, practical templates, and real-world insights from 25+ years in the field.
Wednesday, February 11
Lead Roundtable Discussion on Topic
Breakout Session 1 (45 minutes)
Title: Designing the Attendee Journey: From First Touch to Final Amen
Summary: A well-produced event isn’t just about what happens on stage—it’s about how every moment is experienced by the people in the room. In this session, we’ll walk through how to intentionally design the full attendee journey, from the first email or website visit to the final session and follow-up. Learn how to create an experience that flows with purpose, engages hearts and minds, and leaves a lasting spiritual impact. You’ll walk away with practical tools for mapping touchpoints, building momentum, and shaping the kind of event your attendees want to return to—and bring others with them.
Thursday, February 12
Breakout Session 2 (45 minutes)
Title: Efficient Event Production: Balancing Budget and Excellence
Summary: When every dollar counts, how do you create meaningful, high-quality experiences without overspending? In this fast-paced seminar designed for faith-based planners, you’ll learn practical strategies to manage production costs without sacrificing excellence. Discover where hidden expenses hide, how to work smarter with venues and AV teams, and creative ways to deliver impact on a budget. Plus, we’ll kick things off with an interactive poll and wrap up with a real-world walkthrough of the general session space to see these principles in action.
Breakout Session 3 (45 Minutes)
Title: More Than Lights and Sound: How to Choose the Right Production & Creative Partner for Your Event
Your event deserves more than just technical support—it deserves a partner who understands your mission, elevates your message, and creates a seamless experience for your attendees. In this practical and eye-opening session, seasoned producer Mike Work will guide you through the key questions, red flags, and decision points every planner should consider when selecting a production and creative experience company. Whether you’re hosting a conference, retreat, or large-scale gathering, you’ll leave with a clear framework to help you find a partner that fits your vision, values, and budget. Stop settling for vendors—and start building partnerships that bring your events to life.
Learn more and register for Emerge 26
Mike Work is a veteran live experience producer and strategic leader with over 40 years of ministry and event leadership. As COO and an Executive Producer with Velocity Experiences, a premier event experience company, Mike partners with for-profits, nonprofits, and faith-based organizations to design and deliver impactful gatherings that engage the heart and inspire action. With a background in executive church leadership and a portfolio that includes Urbana, Compassion International, LTK, The National Youth Workers Convention, Youth for Christ, STORY Conference, CCCA, and MissionalAI. Mike brings practical insight and creative vision to every moment he helps shape.