On Oct. 15–17, 2026, more than 220 communication professionals who work for the church and outside of the church and students gathered in suburban Orlando for the annual Society of Adventist Communicators convention. Representing fields such as journalism, media production, marketing, and more, attendees came together to network, share ideas, and support one another in using their skills to advance the everlasting gospel and the three angels’ messages.

Through practical workshops, mentorship opportunities, and spiritual reflection, the convention emphasized a central principle: effective communication grows when people learn from one another and work together toward a shared calling.

The Southern Union Conference was the hosting union and contributed to the general session programming on Friday and Saturday morning. AdventHealth served as a major sponsor and programming partner. Brian Henning, communication platforms manager for AdventHealth and vice president for membership and web services on the SAC board, played a significant role in helping to bring the convention to central Florida.

“It has been a dream of mine for several years to bring SAC to Orlando, specifically for the partnerships and expert speakers that we could make available to add value to the conference,” Henning said.

AdventHealth provided significant sponsorship for the convention’s keynote address, which led to an engaging keynote speaker, Jason Dorsey, president of the Center for Generational Kinetics. AdventHealth also provided financial assistance for student attendees, and helped arrange workshops and several media tours: its own corporate campus and studio, Full Sail University, Z88.3 FM, WESH-TV 2, and Daytona International Speedway (through its partnership with NASCAR).

Kimberly Luste Maran, North American Division communication director and SAC executive director, expressed gratitude for AdventHealth’s support and contributions to convention programming, including connecting attendees with Orlando-based communication experts.

The weekend combined broader industry principles with opportunities for hands-on application. In his keynote presentation, Dorsey examined Western society’s four major generations (Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z). Although technological differences often distinguish generations, he emphasized the role of parenting in shaping generational identity.

Understanding these differences can help build bridges across generations and foster more beneficial communication.

Eric Grey, cofounder and CEO of Maverick Content Studio, brought theory into practice through his workshop, “How to Bring Your Mission to Life with New Media Storytelling.” After exploring storytelling concepts, participants worked in roundtable groups to produce long-form, social-media-ready video shorts. The exercise encouraged creativity while challenging attendees to communicate meaningful stories effectively.

Maran highlighted the value of combining instruction with interaction. “Not only did [Grey’s approach] provide an icebreaker … it brought that hands-on, practical element to the overall general session,” she affirmed.

SAC has expanded its educational offerings in recent years, with Matthew Webster, producer and studio operations manager at Walla Walla University, leading the effort. As a member of the SAC board, Webster acts as a liaison, listening to representatives from Adventist schools with communication programs and bringing their perspectives to the organization.

One initiative has been the student orientation, introduced at the 2024 convention in Chicago in response to feedback that students would benefit from a mini rundown before the event began. The orientation introduces students to SAC and to peers from other institutions. It also offers career preparation through mock interviews and résumé reviews, with communication professionals representing areas such as corporate communication, church communication, and media production.

“Students say it helped them ease their fears and tensions, and [they] get to know students from other universities and colleges,” Webster said.

Justin Bobo, a senior digital communication and media production major at Southern Adventist University, attended his first SAC convention this year. He appreciated the practice interviews yet suggested adding brief feedback sessions so students could better understand how to improve.

Bobo also learned the value of informal mentorship after connecting with Kaleb Eisele, communication director for the Oregon Conference, who encouraged him to approach experienced professionals.

“Don’t be afraid to talk to anyone here. We’re all Adventist communicators who were once in your shoes. We’re all rooting for your success,” Eisele told him.

Bobo encourages other students to follow suit. “SAC is only beneficial if you’re willing to step out of your comfort zone to become a better communicator,” he said. “The best benefit of SAC is the connection of a new friend, knowledgeable mentor, or future employer.”

For Meryen González, mission-driven professional relationships have already had a lasting impact. Now serving as AdventHealth’s mission integration project manager, González first attended SAC in 2022 while studying at Andrews University. She graduated in 2025 with a degree in digital communications and public relations. “The event … changed my life!” she said. “It gave me a sense of purpose, belonging, and connection to something bigger than myself.”

Through multiple encounters with Garrett Caldwell, longtime AdventHealth administrator and current vice president for mission integration, González eventually found her way to her current role after working in human resources and finance. “My passion has always been to serve the church, share the good news, and care for the people God places on my path,” she said. “These are also the core values behind AdventHealth’s mission.”

The convention’s influence extends beyond students and North America. Vanesa Pizzuto, communication and media director for the Trans-European Division, attended her third SAC convention to find opportunities for collaboration and learn from other communicators.

“A few years ago, I contacted Kaleb Eisele … to learn more about their Creators Lab. With his blessing, we created our own program (GAiN GenZ), modeled after it,” Pizzuto shared. “It was a great success, and now local unions are starting to run similar programs across the TED.”

Pizzuto’s experience illustrates how sharing ideas across organizational and geographic boundaries can multiply their impact. Connections at SAC can become resources for strengthening communication and reaching new audiences worldwide.

While offering ample opportunities for professional development, the convention also emphasized the importance of remaining spiritually grounded as Adventist communicators. A local pastor, Jezer Castillo, and Forest Lake Academy chaplain Andrew Moreno delivered inspiring messages on Friday evening and Sabbath morning, respectively. Key takeaways included the need to keep their ears and hearts open to God’s instructions at all times and to stand firm in their convictions, even in an Athens-like culture.

TechTalk is a longstanding convention tradition, dating back to 2008. Bryant Taylor, communication director for the Southern Union, introduced attendees to emerging devices with potential applications for their diverse work. The session concluded with its customary, much-anticipated gadget raffle.

The convention was capped off on October 17 by the annual awards banquet, which celebrates excellence in Adventist communication across student and professional projects, as well as career achievements. Among those recognized were Andrews University student Zipporah Petgrave, who earned multiple awards, including the Student of the Year Award; Joy Ngugi, Young Professional Award recipient; and Garrett Caldwell, vice president for mission integration at AdventHealth, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award.*

Looking ahead, Maran said SAC will explore ways to implement more networking opportunities at the 2027 convention in Seattle, Washington. The goal builds on one of the event’s enduring strengths: connecting people who can learn from one another, support each other’s work, and discover new ways to further the church’s mission.

* An article featuring highlights from the awards banquet and the complete list of recipients will be published soon.

Learn more about SAC and tap into helpful resources through the organization’s official website and Instagram page.