Past ACFW Conference Highlights

Tomorrow is the official ACFW conference kick-off!

Due to some schedule conflicts I’m cheering from the sidelines this year, but I’ll be there in spirit.

Today as many of our friends are preparing for this annual writers conference, I thought it might be fun to highlight some past years’ conferences.

If you’re feeling a little blue about missing this year maybe this post will cheer you up a bit. Maybe it will inspire you to set your sights on Dallas for the 2015 ACFW conference.

Pour some coffee, grab a scone, and sit back, relax, and join me as I take a walk down Memory Lane!

Comfy?

Here we go!

I’ll always remember my first ACFW conference.

SO. MUCH. FUN.

In 2011 the conference was held in St. Louis at the Hyatt Regency at the Arch (same location this year). I had a huge room with a fabulous view. I blogged about the conference here and  here.

I rode with a local writer friend and we arrived the day before conference was to start. I recommend this if finances permit because it allows for some downtime prior to the start of conference. You can also familiarize yourself with the hotel, as well as pick up your registration packet (at the ACFW registration desk). I think arriving a day early makes for a smoother transition, especially if it’s your first time to this conference.

And—be prepared. It’s a big one (about 700 writers in attendance). Not to worry though—there are lots of friendly folks there to help and support you. AND… you WILL be hugged. If you’re not comfortable with that, no big deal. Just stick your palm out for a handshake so folks will know.

Some of my favorite moments from 2011 included the praise and worship sessions, the keynote address by Tracie Peterson, the Books and Such meet-and-greet ( a yearly treat), and spending time with my friends. Of course, the workshops were superb and the conference bookstore was wonderful!

Oh—and a word about the nightshirt above. Yes. It really did glow in the dark! (And the dessert bar—complete with lots of fancy, fattening goodies—that accompanied the client meet-and-greet was pretty deelish, too.)

2011 whet my appetite for future conferences!

Moving on.

In, 2012 ACFW moseyed to the great state of Texas.

I shared a room in Dallas that year with Jill Kemerer (a blast!), but since our room overlooked a parking garage, I didn’t take pictures.

Here are some others you may enjoy.

 

 

 

 

 

The speaker that year was Mike Hyatt. His insight about the writing process and God’s timing inspired me. He also spoke about the importance of author platform and why now is a good time to be an author.

By the Dallas conference, I was able to shed some newbie jitters and get my writing groove on. I soaked up workshops, made new friends, and enjoyed the process even more than the first time! (Another great conference! Links to the recap are here and here.)

2013 took us to Indy.

My roommates that year were Gabrielle Meyer, Jessica Patch, and Lindsay Harrel. (Great gals who love the Lord, writing, and fun!) And… we’re agency-mates!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 2013 conference in Indy was wonderful! Keynote speaker was the beautiful—inside and out—Robin Jones Gunn. Hearing this woman’s heart left me breathless. What a super encourager!  I loved learning more about her ministry and writing process. The links to the Indy recap can be found here and here.

The three (or four since I’ve usually gone early) days of the ACFW conference were intense (in a good way) and power-packed. I found quick respites at Starbucks (onsite), my hotel room, and in the prayer room (which is always a conference feature).

Another highlight of every conference were the awards galas (almost like the Academy Awards of Christian fiction). There’s fine dining, gorgeous hair and dresses, and many, many shiny awards for some of the best authors of Christian fiction.

I came home each conference year happily exhausted.

I attended great workshops facilitated by amazing speakers/authors, made lifetime friends, and connected with the writing craft in an exciting way I could not have imagined.

The ACFW conferences definitely stirred my creative pot!

Check out future conference sites here.

Hope to see you next year in Dallas!

(Note: If you’re interested in sitting in on ACFW’s live blog of the Awards Gala (Saturday night, 09/27/14) click on this link.)

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Have I piqued your interest? Will you make plans to attend next year’s ACFW conference?

What do you like about writing conferences?

PLEASE SHARE:

Take a walk down Memory Lane! (Past ACFW conferences highlighted.)

(Click to Tweet)

 

Have a SUPER day!

Blessings Always,