how to prepare for the 2020 catalyst conference

The Catalyst Conference, a two-day retreat that takes place every year in Atlanta, Georgia, is a time for church pastors and other Christian leaders to gather together for an opportunity of spiritual growth, deep personal connections, and worship revival. It’s a jam-packed event that beckons people of faith to gather for a spiritually uplifting experience. If you are planning to attend the conference this year and improve in your role as a spiritual leader, here are a few things you can do to make your experience even more productive, rewarding, and unforgettable.

Come Bearing Gifts

Bringing corporate gifts to the Catalyst Conference or any major networking opportunity is a great way to solidify more connections. Perhaps instead of glossy business cards, your “calling card” could be a custom logo pen with your name and church name on it along with contact information like a phone number. It’s a small item that’s easy to hand out to people, and it offers far more utility than a little card with your name on it. Every time that new connection of yours uses the pen you gave them, they will see your name and contact information. What better way to stick in a person’s mind and increase your chances of securing a new collaborator?

Pack for Every Activity

It’s a multiday retreat, so there will be moments when you have some downtime or a few hours in the evening to unwind and practice a bit of self-care. Don’t just pack for the various conference activities, events, luncheons, and networking hours. In addition to packing a handful of professional outfits, business cards, or other corporate gifts you intend to hand out, pack a custom embroidered work tote full of things you may need for yourself. These will be long days. You will be busy, expending a lot of energy and meeting many people over the course of the day. Pack things you can use to decompress. If you are a yoga buff, pack a yoga mat or lay down a towel and do a 30-minute flow in the morning or evening. If you are a big tea drinker, relax at the end of the day by giving yourself a few minutes of solitude as you drink your tea of choice. Keep practicing your little but important daily rituals while you are at the conference. It will keep you focused and clear-minded during the times when you have to go out and put on a professional face.

Get All the Logistical Planning out of the Way Ahead of Time

Because this event is more of a retreat than a full-blown business conference, one of its central themes is spiritual restoration. You don’t want to get caught up in the pesky details of planning and organizing when you are at an event where you are supposed to be focused on making connections, growing in your faith, and learning new things. As far as traveling to the event, make sure to book your flight, hotel, and ground transportation well in advance so you don’t have to do any last-minute travel prep, like figuring out a way to get to the airport once the retreat is over.

In addition to getting all your travel logistics squared away before you even attend the conference, have a rough idea of what your itinerary will look like once you are there. Check out the schedule on the conference’s website and outline what events and activities you will be able to attend. Finally, when you are making a plan of how you will spend your days at the conference, make sure to carve out enough time in the morning or evening to relax and have the freedom to tend to any personal responsibilities before gearing up for the next big day.

Carefully Plan Your Outfits

Since the Catalyst Conference is not nearly as formal as many other more conventional conferences, you can be a little more relaxed in your wardrobe choices. While you can dress to the nines if you wish, you can also wear a more casual outfit or strive for something in the middle. Take a look at the conference’s official website and social media platforms to browse photos and see what attendees have worn in the past. If you’re totally unsure of what to wear, pack at least one dressier, more business-appropriate outfit and one custom business casual outfit for work outfit. Don’t forget to pack other essentials like athletic wear if you plan to work out in the mornings and comfy pajamas that will make you feel at home even when you are away from home.