Across the country, Al has seen wonderful and Godly ministry leaders experience horrible burn out and defeat. Unfortunately, this comes with the roles God has called them to. Al was inspired to create a special experience that would replenish and encourage those people who needed healing- whether spiritually, professionally or personally. In 2010, Al began developing the Experience Conference. Designed as a conference “for worship leaders by worship leaders,” Al invited top worship pastors and musicians to create an innovative conference that would energize and restore attendees.
Lincoln Brewster at the Experience Conference
Mark Hall at the Experience Conference
In September 2011, the Experience conference premiered at Walt Disney World’s Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, Florida. The first-year conference sold over 2,400 rooms. Lincoln Brewster, Kari Jobe and Paul Baloche were just some of the artists on hand who also taught small workshops alongside industry professionals and spiritual leaders. Speakers like Matt Chandler moved crowds of over 1200. First Baptist Concord in Knoxville, TN premiered their new original musical, “Fear Not Tomorrow” at the conference. Al assembled a house band of extremely talented musicians that led worship at multiple sessions, which many attendees listed as their favorite performers on stage!
Coming off a strong year, the Experience Conference moved to Walt Disney’s Contemporary Hotel in 2012 and featured more amazing artists, like Jared Anderson and Christy Nockels, and dynamic speakers, including Ross Parsley and Doug Fields. The conference continued to attract new attendees and attention, as well as keep others coming back. The original steering committee that brainstormed ideas 3 years ago is still intact and growing with creative members, who are available throughout the conference to mentor attendees as well as teach workshops according to their specialities, ranging from instrument lessons to songwriting to planning and many, many more.
Soundboard Intensive @ the Experience Conference
Jeff Calhoun at the Experience Conference
The Experience Conference is heading into 2013 with unprecedented momentum and on course to be the biggest yet. The line-up is unbeatable and is scheduled to include Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, Mark Hall, Israel Houghton and many other innovative artists and worship leaders. Whether a volunteer or full-time staffer, the Experience conference has something for everyone who has a heart for worship.
Please check out the Experience conference website for more info, including pricing, schedules and exclusive hotel discounts only available to attendees!
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