Adventist professionals gathered for the annual Society of Adventist Communicators (SAC) convention in Rochester, N.Y., this year, very close to the first location of the Review and Herald Publishing Association.
“We were humbled to hold our meetings in Rochester, literally a few blocks from where our early pioneers began the communication work of our church with a small printing press and a great big message. Their message is our message. We ask God to grant us a measure of their faith,” says Steve Vistaunet, Society of Adventist Communicators president.
The convention provided a variety of workshops for communicators of all levels and all specialties. Many students from Adventist colleges attended the event, as well as local church communication officers, conference and union officials, communicators employed by supporting ministries, and Adventist professionals employed in the public realm.
“As a student, SAC gives me the opportunity to find future employers, but more importantly, lifelong mentors in the field of communications who care enough to share their personal experiences with me and give me advice as I try to follow in their footsteps and even create some of my own,” says Rebecca Barcelo, La Sierra University student.
Media enthusiasts learned from a variety of presenters including keynote speaker Phil Cooke, author of Branding Faith and Jolt! The Power of Intentional Change in a World that’s Constantly Changing.
“Many felt this was one of the best-ever SAC conventions,” says Vistaunet. “The keynote and seminar presentations, the hands-on workshops, the informal networking, really whet our appetites for new creative ways to share the mission and message of our church. Many have already said, ‘We’re definitely coming again next year!'”
The annual SAC convention provides training and networking opportunities for aspiring and professional writers, editors, graphic designers, photographers, videographers, sound engineers, students and marketing gurus with workshops for specific areas of expertise.
The next convention of the Society of Adventist Communicators will be held in Chicago, Ill., October 20-22, 2011. All are welcome to attend.
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Carrie Purkeypile is a public relations representative for the Society of Adventist Communicators.
Photos by Gerry Chudleigh