Innovation Rooted in Mission

Join the North American community of Catholic communicators to sharpen your skills and renew your purpose. June 16-19, 2026.

Innovation Meets Mission:
A First Look at CMC 2026

The media landscape is shifting beneath our feet. From the rapid integration of artificial intelligence to the evolving ways our communities consume news and spiritual content, the role of the Catholic communicator has never been more vital or more complex. This year in June, we gather to bridge the gap between emerging technology and our timeless mission.

The following schedule is a preview of the deep dives and skill-building sessions currently confirmed.

We are continuing to add world-class speakers and specialized tracks to ensure you return to your diocese, publication or ministry with a clear roadmap for the year ahead. Check back often as we finalize room assignments and add new sessions to the lineup.

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With Gratitude to Our Sponsors

  • PSG Prenger Solutions Group
  • CNEWA

Keynote Speakers

  • Taylor Black

    OPENING KEYNOTE SPEAKER

    Taylor Black 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.

  • Kerry Weber

    COMMUNICATING THE VISION OF POPE LEO XIV: TRUTH, TECHNOLOGY AND EVANGELIZATION

    Kerry Weber is President of the Catholic Media Association and Executive Editor at America Media.

  • Dr. Paolo Ruffini

    COMMUNICATING THE VISION OF POPE LEO XIV: TRUTH, TECHNOLOGY AND EVANGELIZATION

    Dr. Paolo Ruffini is Prefect of the Holy See’s Dicastery for Communication.

  • Carol Glatz

    COMMUNICATING THE VISION OF POPE LEO XIV: TRUTH, TECHNOLOGY AND EVANGELIZATION

    Carol Glatz is Editor in Chief of the Catholic News Service Rome bureau.

  • Kerry Alys Robinson

    FRIDAY KEYNOTE SPEAKER

    Kerry Robinson is President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA.

Master Camps | Wednesday, June 17

Extended, in-depth learning experiences for practical application.

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

Taylor Black, Director of AI and Venture Ecosystems at Microsoft, and Inaugural Director of the Institute for AI and Emerging Technologies at Catholic University of America

AI can eliminate the "friction" of reformatting and chasing emails, but we must be careful not to optimize away the parts of our work where formation happens. Bring your laptop for this hands-on workshop. You will build system prompts that capture your organization's unique voice and transform single announcements into multi-platform content. Leave with templates and a clear sense of what belongs to AI and what remains irreducibly yours.

Why Good Branding Matters in Catholic Ministry

Matt Haas, Syndicate Strategies

Branding is about more than logos; it is about clarity, trust, and meaning. In a fast-moving media environment, inconsistent branding dilutes your mission. Learn how to create and use a simple, effective brand guide that streamlines work with staff and outside vendors. This session also explores how to use AI in branding without losing authenticity or trust.

From Mission to Metrics: Building a Social Media Strategy That Works

Chris Baker and Alaina Smith, Chris Baker Multimedia

Stop guessing and start growing. This session equips you with proven strategies to balance organic content with paid strategy. Learn how platforms prioritize content, what still works in the current algorithms, and how to measure success beyond vanity metrics. You will leave with an adaptable roadmap to keep your mission at the center of your digital outreach.

Pause, Pray, Be: Making Space for the Sacred

Mary DeTurris Poust, Not Strictly Spiritual

The world expects us to move at breakneck speed, but our mission requires us to "be still." This mini-retreat offers a moment to rest and recharge during the conference week. Through Scripture, poetry, and the lives of the saints, you will explore how to bring prayerful ritual back to your daily life and create a "Rule of Life" that serves God and neighbor without the burnout.

Professional Workshops | Thursday and Friday

Focused sessions offering actionable tools and case studies.

A Catholic’s Guide to Not Bombing on YouTube

Rob Kaczmark, Spirit Juice Studios

See a real YouTube channel audit in real time. Learn what a page should actually look like, how to create thumbnails that get clicked, and how to turn casual viewers into loyal followers using repeatable content systems.

Media Relations When the Story Is Hard

Daniel Torchia, APR, Torchia Communications and panelists

"No comment" is not a strategy. Learn how to engage secular and Catholic media on tough topics like mergers and bankruptcy. This panel offers processes and tips to build an honest rapport with reporters and lead with transparency.

Google Analytics in an AEO World

Joe Garcia III, eCatholic

Search behavior is changing as Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) rises. Learn how Google Analytics continues to inform your strategy and how to keep your content visible and relevant as traditional SEO evolves.

How to Help Your Bishop Reach 90 Percent of Catholics

John Rogers and Mitch Fisher, Prenger Solutions Group

Even the best pastoral messages fall short if they aren't heard. This data-backed session shows how dioceses are using content cut-downs and coordinated sharing to dramatically expand the reach of homilies and pastoral letters.

Reaching Cultural Catholics Through Diocesan Storytelling

Marybeth Hicks, FAITH Catholic, and Elizabeth Slaten, Catholic East Texas, and panelists

How do we connect with those who value the Church’s mission but are less engaged in the parish? Learn values-driven messaging and distribution strategies that build trust with cultural Catholics and open new pathways for connection.

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

Michael J. La Civita, Laura Ieraci, Elizabeth Belsky and Francisca Enemuo, Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA)

Catholic organizations do not have to choose between traditional journalism and modern content creation. This workshop demonstrates how to maintain strong reporting while extending its reach through smart, repeatable workflows. Learn how to plan coverage that supports pastoral priorities and adapt newsroom stories into engaging assets for social media, marketing and media relations without sacrificing journalistic integrity.

Collaborative Journalism: Building a National Project

Laura Ieraci, ONE Magazine, and Barb Fraze, Freelancer

We are stronger together. This workshop facilitates the brainstorming and planning of collaborative journalism projects across regions to produce in-depth packages of national importance.

Keeping Mission at the Heart of Every Issue

Kayla Simon, President and CEO, FAITH Catholic

Every diocesan publication tells the story of faith in action. This workshop explores how editorial decisions — from story selection and tone to imagery and design — can reinforce a publication’s evangelizing mission while remaining authentic, credible, and engaging.

Synodal Discernment for Change Management

Kerting Baldwin, Ed.D, APR and Maria Hayes, Franciscan Friars Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Learn how the principles of listening and participation can serve as a framework for managing organizational change. Using the merger of five Franciscan provinces as a case study, see how communication can foster trust during seasons of transition.

Media Amplifies My Mission: How a Nonprofit Communications Manager Collaborates With Diocesan and National Catholic Media

Moira Depman, Senior Communications Manager, Catholic Mobilizing Network

Communications managers at nonprofits rely on diocesan and national Catholic media to spread their mission and drive engagement. Through the lens of Catholic Mobilizing Network — the national Catholic organization working to end the death penalty and advance justice solutions that align with Catholic values — we'll explore success stories born from this collaboration and opportunities for increased engagement between media and nonprofits that will advance the Church's mission.

Building a Sales-driven Culture in Catholic Media

Neal Cullen, Diocese of Camden, Jakob Fenger, Mirabel, and Chuck Stephens, Mediavision2020

Catholic media organizations face a unique responsibility: advancing the mission of the Church while sustaining the financial health required to serve their communities. This session provides a clear, practical roadmap for strengthening sales performance without compromising values or credibility.

The Craft of the Story

  • Creating Social Content from News: Learn to repurpose one strong piece of reporting into multiple social assets without losing journalistic integrity.

  • Magazine Feature Writing: Go behind the scenes of effective storytelling to identify ideas and cultivate sources that inspire readers.

  • Mission-Centered Journalism: Explore how every editorial decision, from tone to design, can reinforce your publication's evangelizing mission.

  • Photography for the Digital Storyteller: A hands-on look at getting the most out of mobile photography for events and digital storytelling.

The Business of Media

  • Building a Sales-driven Culture: A practical roadmap for strengthening revenue and sales processes without compromising Catholic values.

  • Attracting and Coaching Freelance Talent: Best practices for recruiting, mentoring, and providing feedback to the next generation of contributors.

  • Nonprofit and Media Collaboration: A look at how nonprofits and diocesan media can work together to advance shared missions.

Get started today.

Registration now available