In our modern world, innovation is rampant. New solutions, products and services flood the market daily. This is certainly not a bad thing, but the volume of newness makes it difficult to keep up, much less go deep in learning about the newest gadgets, apps or consulting services to determine which might benefit a particular church or ministry.
Worship Facilities Conference and Expo (WFX) General Manager Jim Wagner says this is a chief reason why attending an expo is beneficial. He says, “How else can a team or individual gain in-depth information about numerous solutions and companies in one place? There are few substitutes for having a face-to-face conversation with an expert and even fewer for the experience of handling and trying out the product you're considering purchasing. Expos provide opportunity for all of this,” says Wagner, who is also managing WFX Reach Conferences.
While the annual WFX includes the largest church-focused expo in the country, the WFX Reach Conferences will feature Sponsorship Showcases, which are essentially smaller and more intimate expo experiences, according to Wagner.
Designed to bring WFX's key educational elements to more churches throughout the nation, Reach Conferences are 1.5-day regional events hosted by local churches. They feature area speakers and experts, and strive to provide valuable education and training critical to a church's ability to grow and have greater impact on community.
"No matter what stage of a purchase decision you’re in, the Sponsorship Showcase provides the kind of quality information and resources that you can’t get from a website or brochure."
Jim Wagner
General Manager, Worship Facilities Conference and Expo (WFX).
Discussion and Innovation
The 2016 Conferences will be held in Raleigh, N.C., and San Antonio and each will hold a Sponsorship Showcase highlighting companies from the respective regions. The smaller scale is meant to promote in-depth discussions between solutions providers and conference attendees. Church representatives should bring their questions and ideas and expect to have candid conversations with experts from the exhibiting companies. “We hope our attendees leave with options for their ministries and at the very least, feel they have a starting point for planning whatever their ‘next big thing' is,” says Wagner. “Our sponsors want to partner with and support churches the same way [WFX does].”
The Sponsorship Showcase also offers attendees exposure to innovations and new products and services all in one place. In San Antonio, for instance, a participating sponsor is Cahoots, a new instant team intercom app that allows church staff and volunteers to talk intercom-style using their smart phones.
Resource Variety
Other San Antonio sponsors include Texas-based architecture firm, Powers Goolsby, and Nashville's Morris Light and Sound. Churches By Daniels, AE Global Media, A.C. Lighting, Canon, Digital Glue, and Sony will sponsor both the Raleigh and San Antonio Showcases.
Regardless of the type of project or question, from building projects to technology upgrades to general operations, the Showcase floor will offer appropriate resources—architects, contractors, financial institutions, lighting, seating and much more.
“No matter what stage of a purchase decision you're in, the Sponsorship Showcase provides the kind of quality information and resources that you can't get from a website or brochure,” adds Wagner.
The 2016 WFX Reach Conferences will be held May 16-17, 2016, at Crossroads Fellowship Church in Raleigh, and May 19-20, 2016, at Westover Hills Assembly of God in San Antonio. Learn more or register for either WFX Reach Conference at .
