The Catholic Media Conference (CMC) is the annual gathering of Catholic journalists, communicators, publishers and media professionals from across North America and beyond. Hosted by the Catholic Media Association, the CMC offers professional development, networking and spiritual enrichment through keynote sessions, workshops, roundtables and awards celebrations. It’s where Catholic storytellers, ministries, and mission-driven organizations come together to learn, collaborate and inspire one another in sharing the Good News.

The Catholic Media Association is committed to our mission of helping members share the Good News through Catholic media. We provide professional development, networking, inspiration, and support for the faith formation of Catholic media professionals.

We are putting every effort into making this year’s Catholic Media Conference an outstanding in-person experience, and will not be offering a livestream.

Included:

• Lunch on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
• Ticket to the Catholic Media Awards and 61st Annual Gabriel Awards Celebration on Friday evening
• Daily Mass
• Access to 4 Master Camps
• Access to 15 workshops
• Access to 9 roundtables
• Exclusive film screenings
• Networking with 400+ Catholic media professionals and experts
• Dozens of vendors and business leaders

Not included: travel and hotel accommodations.

Yes! This is a new pilot program based on feedback from conference attendees. Register your team together and save nearly $200 when four or more members attend.

Member organizations sending four or more full-conference attendees during the Early Bird period qualify for a special rate of $495 per person for CMA members — the best value for Catholic media teams.

Because CMC requires advance financial and contractual commitments for venue space, audiovisual production and catering guarantees, all cancellations must be submitted in writing by the primary registrant to membership@catholicmediaassociation.org. Telephone or verbal cancellations cannot be accepted.

• Through May 14, 2027: Full refund minus a $50 administrative processing fee
• May 15 – June 15, 2027: 50% refund of the registration fee paid
• After June 15, 2027: No refunds will be issued, as binding food, beverage and facility guarantees have been finalized with our host venue

Approved refunds will be processed back to the original payment method within 10 to 14 business days.

The Catholic Media Association is not responsible for airfare, travel penalties or hotel cancellation fees. Attendees must manage and cancel their own lodging reservations directly with the conference hotel according to the property’s published cancellation policy.

Yes. If you cannot attend, we encourage you to transfer your registration to a colleague from your publication, diocese, network or organization.

• Transfers may be requested at no charge through July 9, 2027
• The original registrant must submit the transfer request to membership@catholicmediaassociation.org with the replacement attendee’s full name, title, organization, email and dietary needs
• If a CMA Member registration is transferred to a non-member, the difference between the member and non-member rate in effect at the time of transfer must be paid before credentials will be issued

Tickets purchased for optional pre-conference sessions, excursions, or extra Catholic Media Awards & 61st Annual Gabriel Awards seats are refundable minus a $15 service fee through June 15, 2027. After June 15, these purchases are non-refundable due to per-seat catering counts, but they remain fully transferable.

Registrants who do not attend the conference and have not submitted an official cancellation or transfer request prior to the start of the event forfeit all registration fees. Credits and rollovers to future conferences will not be granted.

If the conference itself is canceled or rescheduled: due to circumstances beyond the association’s reasonable control, including acts of God, severe weather, regional emergency or facility closure, CMA will issue full registration credits toward the rescheduled event or future conference dates, or issue a refund minus necessary processing costs. CMA is not liable for secondary travel or lodging expenses incurred by attendees.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses, nonprofits and mission-driven organizations that want to engage directly with the Catholic media community. Sponsors receive visibility before and during the conference through branded recognition, event participation and digital promotion.

We are grateful to our generous sponsors who help make the Catholic Media Conference possible. Their support provides vital funding for our programs and services, while connecting them with hundreds of Catholic media professionals and leaders across North America.

View Sponsor & Exhibitor Prospectus

Exhibiting at the CMC is one of the best ways to meet Catholic journalists, communicators, and decision-makers who influence print, digital and broadcast media across North America. Exhibitors are featured in the conference hall with dedicated networking time for attendees to visit and engage.

We are deeply thankful for our exhibitors, whose presence helps bring the Catholic Media Conference to life. Their participation supports the mission of Catholic media by providing valuable services, products and partnerships for our members.

View Sponsor & Exhibitor Prospectus

Now accepting invitations for June 2029, 2030 and 2031.

The Catholic Media Association works with dioceses to host the Catholic Media Conference (CMC) each year, where Catholic journalists, media and communications professionals come together to share information, learn about the changing industry, and network with each other.

Benefits of hosting a conference:

• National exposure and prestige for the hosting organization
• Opportunity to work with colleagues on the National Planning Committee
• Broaden professional network to include speakers and educators from the conference
• Two complimentary guest passes to the conference plus a one-day pass
• Access to all sessions for the local volunteers

Hosts are asked to provide:

• A letter of invitation from the local ordinary to hold the conference in their area
• A team of staff members (2–3) to work with the National Planning Committee and the CMA office. The staff begins work on the conference in the August preceding the conference and continues until the conference ends (June).
• A host staff member to be a member of the National Planning Committee the subsequent two years to contribute insights and experiences gained to the incoming hosts
• Volunteers to assist with the on-site execution of the conference
• Places for Mass, along with related materials

The CMA has many years of experience in developing conferences and guides the process from initial site selection to the conference wrap-up. The CMA office handles all contract work with hotels and vendors, and is responsible for the budget and all financial transactions. The host and diocese have no financial obligations outside of materials for daily Mass.

If you are interested in exploring the opportunity to host a conference, contact Rob DeFrancesco, who is happy to answer any questions you may have and guide you through the process. Rob can be reached at (312) 380-6789 or rdefrancesco@CatholicMediaAssociation.org.