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Catholic Media Conference 2026

Session Schedule

June 16–19, 2026 Harrah's Resort Atlantic City

All times Eastern · Schedule subject to change

Key: Keynote Master Camp Workshop Roundtable Special Breakout Region Roundtable

Wednesday

June 17
9:00 am Session 1 | Master Camps
Master Camp

Hands on the Tools: From Friction to Flow Without Losing Your Soul

Taylor Black

Microsoft & Catholic University of America

Avalon 10–12
Most of your job is friction — reformatting, translating across platforms, chasing the email that's somewhere in your inbox. AI can eliminate much of that overhead, but not all friction is waste. This hands-on Master Camp helps Catholic communicators use AI effectively while keeping the judgment about what truly matters. You'll leave with working system prompts, practical templates, and a clearer sense of which parts of your work belong to AI — and which parts remain irreducibly yours. Bring a laptop and a specific task you'd love to make easier.
Master Camp

Why Good Branding Matters in Catholic Ministry

Matthew Haas

Syndicate Strategies

Avalon 20–21
Branding is about more than logos and colors — it's about clarity, trust, and mission. This session takes a practical look at how dioceses, parishes, and Catholic media organizations can communicate more consistently across all platforms. You'll walk away with a simple, repeatable brand framework you can put to work immediately, plus a discussion of how AI can support — without undermining — authentic Catholic identity.
Master Camp

Pause, Pray, Be: Making Space for the Sacred

Mary DeTurris Poust

Not Strictly Spiritual

Avalon 2–3
Psalm 46 tells us to "be still" — easier said than done in a world that rewards relentless output. This mini-retreat invites you to step away from the pace of the conference and your everyday work, rest and recharge, and rediscover what it means to create from a place of stillness rather than striving. Expect a blend of reflection, silence, and practical suggestions you can carry home.
Master Camp

From Mission to Metrics: Digital Strategy for Growth and Giving

Chris Baker

Chris Baker Multimedia

Avalon 5–6
Drawing from real-world work with dioceses and national Catholic organizations, this session replaces guesswork with a clear, adaptable framework for digital strategy. You'll learn how to balance organic content with paid outreach, understand what truly drives engagement and generosity, and measure success beyond vanity metrics — equipping you to communicate your mission more effectively and confidently.
11:30 am Wednesday Keynote
Keynote

The Mirror and the Window: AI and the Future of Catholic Communication

Taylor Black

Microsoft & Catholic University of America

Avalon Ballroom
AI is the most sophisticated mirror humanity has ever built — but Catholic communicators aren't in the reflection business, we're in the encounter business. Drawing on Catholic sacramental theology and philosophy of mind, this keynote offers a framework for discerning when AI serves the mission and when it subtly replaces the missionary. Expect a live demonstration of where the technology actually stands, an honest look at what's coming, and a practical discipline for remaining communicators who could do this work without AI — and who know when to.
2:00 pm Session 2 | Peer-to-Peer Roundtables & Special Breakout
Peer-to-Peer Roundtable

Journalism Roundtable

Jennifer Brinker

St. Louis Review and Catholic St. Louis

Avalon 10–12
A facilitated peer discussion for journalists to share challenges, trade practical solutions, and learn from colleagues doing similar work across Catholic media. Come ready to contribute as much as you take away.
Peer-to-Peer Roundtable

Communications Roundtable

Montie Chavez

Archdiocese of Las Vegas

Avalon 20–21
A facilitated peer discussion for communications professionals to share challenges, trade practical solutions, and learn from colleagues doing similar work across Catholic organizations. Come ready to contribute as much as you take away.
Peer-to-Peer Roundtable

Digital Media Roundtable

Nicole Mamura

Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis

Avalon 5–6
A facilitated peer discussion for digital media professionals to share challenges, trade practical solutions, and learn from colleagues doing similar work across Catholic organizations. Come ready to contribute as much as you take away.
Peer-to-Peer Roundtable

Business & Advertising Roundtable

JoAnn DiNapoli

The Tablet

Avalon 13–14
A facilitated peer discussion for business and advertising professionals in Catholic media to share challenges, trade practical solutions, and learn from colleagues navigating the same landscape. Come ready to contribute as much as you take away.
Special Breakout

Catholic Storytelling in a Transformational Time

Father David Guffey, C.S.C.

Family Theater Productions

Avalon 2–3
Hollywood's technology and business models are changing fast — and those shifts are reshaping how faith-based content gets made, distributed, and discovered. Fr. David Guffey, C.S.C., explores the challenges and real opportunities this creates for Catholic filmmakers and content creators, with practical guidance on storytelling best practices for film, TV, streaming, and YouTube.

Thursday

June 18
9:30 am Session 3 | Workshops
Workshop

How to Adapt News Stories to Create Social Media Content that Pops

Laura Ieraci, Michael J. La Civita, Elizabeth Belsky & Francisca Enemuo

ONE Magazine & Catholic Near East Welfare Association

Avalon 24–25
Your newsroom doesn't have to choose between strong journalism and compelling social content — it can do both. This workshop shows you how to plan coverage that supports pastoral priorities and then adapt those stories into social media, marketing, and media relations assets through smart, repeatable workflows. One strong piece of reporting can generate multiple communications outputs without sacrificing journalistic integrity.
Workshop

Synodal Discernment as a Framework for Change Management Communication

Kerting Baldwin, Ed.D, APR & Maria Hayes

Franciscan Friars Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Avalon 20–21
What if the Church's synodal principles — listening, discernment, participation, co-responsibility — could also guide how we communicate through organizational change? Drawing from the Franciscan Friars' real experience merging five provinces into one, this session shows how synodality bridges spiritual wisdom and communications strategy, helping leaders build trust and unity during times of uncertainty and disruption.
Workshop

A Catholic's Guide to Not Bombing on YouTube

Rob Kaczmark

Spirit Juice Studios

Avalon 10–12
Rob Kaczmark of Spirit Juice Studios will take a real YouTube channel and walk through a live audit — what works, what doesn't, and why. You'll learn what your channel page should actually look like, how to create thumbnails and titles that get clicked, and how to align mission with metrics. Whether you're managing a parish channel or a diocesan organization, you'll leave with a clear roadmap to make YouTube finally work for you.
Workshop

Crafting Stories that Inspire and Inform

Jennifer Brinker

St. Louis Review and Catholic St. Louis

Avalon 2–3
Go behind the scenes of effective magazine feature writing. This workshop explores how to identify meaningful story ideas, cultivate strong sources, and write with clarity and purpose. You'll leave with practical techniques for producing stories that inform, inspire, and connect readers more deeply to the life of the Church.
Workshop

Building a Sales-driven Culture in Catholic Media

Neal Cullen, Chuck Stephens, Jim Younger & Jakob Fenger

Diocese of Camden · Mediavision2020 · Mirabel Technologies

Avalon 13–14
Balancing mission and revenue is one of Catholic media's persistent challenges. This practical symposium — featuring expertise from Mirabel Technologies and Mediavision2020 — explores how to build a confident sales culture, implement a repeatable sales process, and use closing-rate data to set realistic goals. You'll leave with actionable strategies and a renewed confidence in leading a sustainable Catholic media organization.
Workshop

The Digital Mission: Engaging and Creating Catholic Influencers

Marilyn Santos & Kendall McLaren

U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

Avalon 20–21
Catholic influencers can be powerful partners in evangelization — but identifying and collaborating with them well takes discernment. This workshop explores how dioceses and organizations can engage local influencers faithfully, with practical guidance on building relationships, setting expectations, and navigating the risks involved at every level.
11:30 am Thursday Keynote
Keynote

Communicating the Vision of Pope Leo XIV: Truth, Technology and Evangelization

Kerry Weber, Dr. Paolo Ruffini, Carol Glatz & Fr. Arthur Purcaro, OSA

America Media · Dicastery for Communication · CNS Rome · Villanova University

Avalon Ballroom
One year into his ministry, Pope Leo XIV has offered the Church a clear communications vision rooted in listening, peace, and the dignity of every person. This panel reflects on that vision in light of misinformation and emerging technology, considering how Catholic media can respond with fidelity, prudence, and hope. Featuring voices from Rome, major Catholic media, and higher education.
2:45 pm Session 4 | Workshops
Workshop

Collaborative Journalism: A National Project in Catholic Journalism

Laura Ieraci & Barb Fraze

ONE Magazine

Avalon 13–14
Built on the principle that we are stronger together, this working session invites journalists to brainstorm and begin planning real collaborative projects across regions and specialties. Participants will leave with the groundwork for in-depth packages that matter to Catholics — to be published across CMA member publications and The Catholic Journalist.
Workshop

Proactive, Pastoral, Public: Modern Catholic Media Relations

Daniel Torchia, APR, Matthew Gambino & Buffy Gorrilla

Torchia Communications · Archdiocese of Philadelphia · Spackle Media

Avalon 20–21
"No comment" doesn't cut it anymore — and Catholic communicators who engage the media proactively build far more trust than those who go quiet. This panel brings together a PR veteran, a diocesan communications director, and a working journalist to show you how to respond to media calls, place stories of your good works, and navigate tough public topics with honesty and confidence.
Workshop

How to Help Your Bishop Reach 90% of Catholics in Your Diocese

John Rogers & Mitch Fisher

Prenger Solutions Group

Avalon 10–12
Even the best pastoral messages fall flat if no one sees them. This data-backed session shares the strategies dioceses are using to dramatically expand the reach of their bishops' homilies, statements, and pastoral letters — through cut-downs, coordinated parish sharing, and smart amplification. You'll leave with a repeatable communications plan built specifically for bishops and their teams.
Workshop

Google Analytics in an AEO World

Joe Garcia III

eCatholic

Avalon 5–6
As answer engine optimization (AEO) reshapes how content gets discovered, Catholic organizations need to rethink how they measure digital performance. This workshop explores how Google Analytics continues to guide strategy in this evolving landscape — helping your organization stay visible, relevant, and effective as the rules keep changing.
Workshop

Keeping Mission at the Heart of Every Issue

Kayla Simon & Anne E. Clark

FAITH Catholic & The Catholic Miscellany

Avalon 2–3
Every publication tells the story of faith in action — but keeping the evangelizing mission at the center of editorial decisions takes intentionality. This workshop explores how story selection, tone, imagery, and design can reinforce your publication's mission while remaining authentic, credible, and engaging for your readers.
Workshop

Visualizing the Past: How AI is Shaping Diocesan Storytelling

Montie Chavez, Adrian Leon & Connie Clough

Archdiocese of Las Vegas

Avalon 24–25
When the Archdiocese of Las Vegas set out to document the history of the Catholic Church in Southern Nevada, there was no archival footage — so they turned to AI. This session walks through how artificial intelligence was used to recreate historical moments in the documentary "A Journey of Hope," and explores the creative possibilities and ethical considerations of telling authentic, faithful stories with emerging technology.

Friday

June 19
9:00 am Session 5 | Workshops
Workshop

Reaching Cultural Catholics Through Diocesan Storytelling

Marybeth Hicks, Elizabeth Slaten & Adam Carlisle

FAITH Catholic · Diocese of Tyler · Diocese of Metuchen

Avalon 2–3
Nearly half of U.S. adults have a personal or family connection to Catholicism, yet only 20% identify as Catholic by religion. That gap is a real opportunity. Drawing from recent Pew Research and a new white paper from FAITH Catholic, this panel offers practical strategies for reaching Catholics who rarely attend Mass — through content hubs, strategic ministry partnerships, and high-engagement moments like Ash Wednesday.
Workshop

How to Create a Practical, Ethical, Forward-Looking AI Policy for Your Newsroom

Kerry Weber, Malea Hargett & Sean O'Driscoll

America Media · Arkansas Catholic · Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston

Avalon 10–12
Every Catholic newsroom is making decisions about AI — whether formally or not. This session reviews secular newsroom policies, examines the CMA's Fair Publishing Practices for AI, and shares real-world examples from Catholic publications. You'll leave with a clearer roadmap for creating an AI editorial policy that prioritizes critical thinking, transparency, and editorial integrity.
Workshop

Seeing First: Visual Storytelling and the Art of Being Heard in a Noisy World

Jeffrey Bruno

Photojournalist

Avalon 5–6
Some stories stop people. They linger. They are remembered. This session is an invitation back to the heart of visual storytelling — exploring how words and images working together can carry truth more powerfully than either can alone. Drawing from years of covering the Church, photographer and journalist Jeffrey Bruno teaches participants to recognize the quiet human moments that become the emotional backbone of the most powerful stories.
Workshop

Appeals & Capital Campaigns — 5 Communications Mistakes to Avoid

Matt Smith, Faith Olono & Liam Kowalczyk

Smith House

Avalon 13–14
Most capital campaigns don't fail because the mission is weak — they fail because messaging breaks down over time. Drawing from Smith House's experience supporting more than $200M in Catholic campaigns, this session unpacks five common mistakes that quietly weaken donor engagement and momentum, with practical strategies for simplifying your message, communicating urgency clearly, and keeping donors connected through every phase of your campaign.
11:30 am Friday Keynote
Keynote

Catholic Charities USA Keynote

Kerry Alys Robinson

Catholic Charities USA

Avalon Ballroom
2:30 pm Session 6 | Region Roundtables
Region Roundtable

Canadian Region Roundtable

Paul Schratz

The B.C. Catholic

Avalon 20–21
Regional Roundtables provide an opportunity to connect with colleagues in your geographic area, share what's working, and discuss the priorities and challenges unique to your region.
Region Roundtable

Eastern Region Roundtable

Carol Zimmermann

National Catholic Reporter

Avalon 10–12
Region Roundtable

Midwestern Region Roundtable

Michael Stechschulte

Detroit Catholic

Avalon 5–6
Region Roundtable

Southern Region Roundtable

James Ramos

Texas Catholic Herald

Avalon 13–14
Region Roundtable

Western Region Roundtable

Pablo Kay

Angelus

Avalon 2–3
View full schedule overview  ·  catholicmediaconference.org