Highlights from the Inaugural ACP/PCPA Joint Conference
On May 1 and 2, our Vice President & Chief Product Manager, Dan Heffernan, and Director of Client Services, Scott Ghormley, attended the inaugural joint conference of the Association of Catholic Publishers (ACP) and the Protestant Church-owned Publishers Association (PCPA) in Naperville, IL. This experimental collaboration marked the first time these two organizations came together for a shared event, and the results were promising.
One of the most immediate benefits of combining the two conferences was a remarkable increase in exhibitor participation—nearly doubling the previous total. The larger exhibitor presence underscored the growing intersection of faith-based publishing and the expanding opportunities within the industry.
The night before the conference officially kicked off, Dan and Scott hosted an intimate gathering for clients and industry colleagues. Attendees enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and drinks, providing a valuable opportunity to connect and engage in meaningful conversations before the busy days ahead.
Keynote Highlights: Navigating Change and Innovation
As is typical of these conferences, the keynote speeches provided a wealth of insight. The first address, delivered by Scott Thumma and Tracy Simmons, explored trends in church attendance and their implications for the publishing industry. Drawing from data gathered since the pre-COVID era, the duo examined the sharp drop in church attendance during the pandemic and how recovery has been uneven across different demographics and church sizes. This ongoing research is crucial for publishers looking to understand the evolving needs of faith-based communities.
The second keynote, by Thad McIlroy, offered an eye-opening look at AI’s impact on the book publishing industry. As a forward-thinking expert with a deep understanding of the potential—and pitfalls—of AI, Thad discussed how publishers must carefully consider how AI tools will ingest and distribute content. His cautionary remarks echoed the rise of Napster in the music industry 25 years ago, urging the audience to stay ahead of AI's challenges and ethical concerns.
Workshop Insights: AI in Content Creation
AdvantageCS was proud to sponsor a workshop titled “Creator, Curator, and Co-Pilot: Content Development with AI,” led by Ryan Panzer, a thought leader working at the intersection of church and technology. Ryan’s session was both informative and interactive, featuring hands-on peer-group exercises that enhanced participants’ ability to craft effective AI prompts. By the end of the session, attendees had gained valuable insights into how AI can be leveraged to enhance content creation within faith-based publishing.
Also on the ever-growing topic of AI, Dan attended a workshop on AI policies and contracts for publishers led by Craig Gipson of Flagler Law Group. Craig provided practical advice on how publishers can establish policies and draft contracts that protect their interests as AI continues to transform the publishing landscape.
Closing Thoughts: Navigating the Future of Faith-Based Publishing
The conference concluded with a thought-provoking keynote from Ryan Panzer, who discussed Niche vs. Viral: A New Playbook for Church Marketers. Ryan emphasized that for church marketers, catering to niche audiences might be more effective than pursuing viral success. By focusing on specific, mission-driven content, churches can better serve their communities and foster more meaningful engagement.
While the ACP and PCPA plan to host separate conferences next year, the feedback from this joint event has been quite positive. The collaboration proved successful, and delegates were asked to weigh in on how often they’d like to see future joint conferences. It seems that the experiment was a resounding success—one that might pave the way for even more collaboration in the years to come.