Religious Conference Management Association - RCMA EMERGE 2027

A recent Emerge drew approximately 900 attendees, providing an opportunity to build relationships with faith-based meeting planners and suppliers. Earlier editions have been smaller: the 2023 Emerge Conference in Chattanooga was a national event drawing attendees from across the U.S., with organizers expecting 700+ attendees. On the supplier side, the Emerge Exchange expo has featured over 200 providers from around the country.

Booth pricing published by RCMA for Emerge 2027 (prices do not include registration fees and are subject to exhibitors booking hotel nights in the RCMA room block):

• Standard (10 x 10): $2,200
• Corner (10 x 10): $2,500
• End-cap (10 x 20): $5,250
• Peninsula (10 x 20): $5,250
• Custom (10 x 30): $7,750
• Island (20 x 20): $9,550

Specialty islands and configurations of 4+ booths carry a 10% premium. Exhibitors must also register: $795 for members and $1,195 for non-members, and a booth must be reserved in order to attend Emerge.

According to RCMA, registration opens in September. Published 2027 rates are:

Planners

• Early Registration: $125
• Late Registration (after 11/20/26): $150
• Spouse Registration: $135

Exhibitors (must register a booth in order to attend)

• Member Registration: $795
• Non-member Registration: $1,195

Registration is handled through the official RCMA Emerge page at myrcma.org/emerge. Note the November 20, 2026 cutoff, after which planner registration increases from $125 to $150.

Founded in 1972, RCMA has built a reputation for enhancing the professionalism of its members and suppliers, and for nearly five decades has dedicated itself to improving the experience of religious meeting attendees around the world. RCMA describes itself as the only multi-faith, not-for-profit, international association comprised exclusively of religious meeting planners setting the standard in this specialized field.

The association's annual gathering, now branded Emerge, has moved among U.S. host cities. Chattanooga hosted the Emerge 2023 Conference on January 24-26, 2023, marking the group's return to Tennessee for only the second time (the first was Nashville in 1982). Subsequent editions were held in Phoenix and Lexington, KY, before the conference's 2027 return to Orlando. For 13 years the organization's mission was shaped by the leadership of Dr. Harry Schmidt, before a planned CEO transition began in 2025.