Schedule Overview
June 16-19, 2026
All times Eastern | Schedule subject to updates.
Tuesday, June 16
9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Exhibitor Setup
Location: Avalon Ballroom, Waterfront Conference Center at Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City
10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
CMA Board of Directors Meeting
Location: Avalon TBD
1:00-6:00 p.m.
Registration Desk Open
Location: Second Floor of Waterfront Conference Center
5:15-6:00 p.m.
Transportation to Opening Mass
Notes: Jitneys depart from Harrah’s Atlantic City Resort
6:00 p.m.
Opening Mass
Location: St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church, 1409 Pacific Ave, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
7:00-10:00 p.m.
Welcome and Networking on the Atlantic City Boardwalk
Location: LandShark Bar & Grill, 1133 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Notes: Dinner, music and networking on the beach
Wednesday, June 17
7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Prayer Room Open
Location: Avalon TBD
7:00-8:00 a.m.
Past Presidents Breakfast
Location: TBD
7:00-8:30 a.m.
Coffee Service and Grab-and-Go Breakfast Items
Sponsored by Prenger Solutions Group and Catholic Social Media
Location: Avalon Exhibit Hall
7:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Registration Desk Open
Location: Second Floor of Waterfront Conference Center
9:00-11:00 a.m.
Session 1 | Master Camps
Location: Avalon Breakout Rooms
11:00-11:30 a.m.
Break in the Exhibit Hall
11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Opening Luncheon and Keynote
“The Mirror and the Window: AI and the Future of Catholic Communication”
Start the conference with an exploration of the intersection of faith and artificial intelligence. This keynote features Taylor Black, who serves as Director of AI and Venture Ecosystems at Microsoft and Inaugural Director of the Institute for AI and Emerging Technologies at Catholic University of America.
Location: Avalon Ballroom, Waterfront Conference Center
1:00-2:00 p.m.
Dessert in the Exhibit Hall
2:00-3:15 p.m.
Session 2 | CMC Roundtable Discussions
Location: Avalon Breakout Rooms
3:15-4:30 p.m.
Break in the Exhibit Hall
5:00 p.m.
Mass
Location: Avalon Ballroom, Waterfront Conference Center
7:00 p.m.
Film Screening
Location: Avalon Theater
Thursday, June 18
7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Prayer Room Open
Location: Avalon TBD
7:00-8:30 a.m.
Coffee Service and Grab-and-Go Breakfast Items
Sponsored by Prenger Solutions Group and Catholic Social Media
Location: Avalon Exhibit Hall
7:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Registration Desk Open
Location: Second Floor of Waterfront Conference Center
7:30-9:00 a.m.
CMA Member Meeting
Location: Avalon Ballroom, Waterfront Conference Center
9:00-9:30 a.m.
Break in the Exhibit Hall
9:30-10:45 a.m.
Session 3 | Breakout Sessions
Location: Avalon Breakout Rooms
10:45-11:30 a.m.
Break in the Exhibit Hall
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Cardinal John P. Foley Award Luncheon and Media Panel
“Communicating the Vision of Pope Leo XIV: Truth, Technology and Evangelization”
One year into the ministry of Pope Leo XIV, his teaching has already offered a clear orientation for the Church’s communications mission. This panel reflects on the Holy Father’s call for communication rooted in listening, oriented toward peace and attentive to the dignity of every person, particularly in light of misinformation and emerging technologies. Panelists will consider how Catholic media can respond to this vision with fidelity, prudence and hope.
Moderator:
Kerry Weber, Executive Editor of America Media and President of the Catholic Media Association.
Panelists:
Dr. Paolo Ruffini, Prefect of the Holy See’s Dicastery for Communication.
Carol Glatz, Editor in Chief of the Catholic News Service Rome bureau.
Location: Avalon Ballroom, Waterfront Conference Center
1:30-2:30 p.m.
Ice Cream Social in the Exhibit Hall
Sponsored by Holy Cross Family Ministries and Family Theater Productions
2:45-4:00 p.m.
Session 4 | Breakout Sessions
Location: Avalon Breakout Rooms
5:00 p.m.
Mass
Location: Avalon Ballroom, Waterfront Conference Center
7:00 p.m.
Film Screening
Location: Avalon Theater
Friday, June 19
7:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Prayer Room Open
Location: Avalon TBD
7:00-9:00 a.m.
Coffee Service and Grab-and-Go Breakfast Items
Sponsored by Prenger Solutions Group and Catholic Social Media
Location: Avalon Exhibit Hall
7:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Registration Desk Open
Location: Second Floor of Waterfront Conference Center
7:30-8:30 a.m.
CNEWA Sponsored Breakfast and Program
Join CNEWA for a special breakfast program on the final morning of the conference. This session will offer an opportunity for fellowship and an update on the mission of CNEWA.
Location: Avalon Ballroom, Waterfront Conference Center
9:30-10:45 a.m.
Session 5 | Breakout Sessions
Location: Avalon Breakout Rooms
9:30-11:30 a.m.
Film Screening
Location: Avalon Theater
10:45-11:30 a.m.
Break in the Exhibit Hall
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
St. Francis de Sales Award Luncheon and Keynote
The Catholic Media Association honors the recipient of the St. Francis de Sales Award, the highest award a member can receive. This year's luncheon features a keynote address by Kerry Robinson, President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA. Join colleagues and friends to celebrate excellence in Catholic journalism and communications while hearing reflections on leadership and service within the Church.
Location: Avalon Ballroom
1:30-2:00 p.m.
Prize Giveaway in the Exhibit Hall
Prize drawing at approximately 1:45 p.m.
2:30-3:30 p.m.
Session 6 | Region Roundtable Discussions
Location: Avalon Breakout Rooms
5:00-6:00 p.m.
CMA Memorial Mass
Location: St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church, 1409 Pacific Ave, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
6:45-7:45 p.m.
Catholic Media Awards and 60th Annual Gabriel Awards Reception
Location: Pre-function Area, Avalon Ballroom, Waterfront Conference Center
8:00-10:00 p.m.
Catholic Media Awards Celebration
Celebrating the Catholic Media Awards and the 60th Annual Gabriel Awards
Location: Avalon Ballroom, Waterfront Conference Center