Made for China Conference - planning

Nov 16-18. Seems ages away. However, in planning terms, it is practically next week. This is the major event I take responsibility for. Fortunately, I have a fantastic planning team around me - all of whom provide great ideas, and many are able to give time and energy to sort out the details as well as the big picture.

We have a pretty powerful line-up of speakers. With Jamie Taylor (Hudson's great-great) on board we have generations of expertise, and also a Bible speaker of international renown - although I haven't heard him yet. According to those who know, he actually preaches better in Mandarin. Because of this, we thought we'd give him that opportunity and are running a Mandarin stream at the conference with Jamie and others contributing. This also makes me slightly nervous. Will they turn up to justify the investment of people and resources to make this a worthwhile event.

I am also nervous about the price. The conference is pretty dear - the prices being pushed up by the cost prices we are charged by the conference centre. I guess one way to address this is to encourage churches to support members who go. If they have someone seriously considering professional work in China, this is the kind of event they should be coming to. Marketing of the conference is a massive task. I really hope I'm up to it.

I am writing this today because we had our first delegate sign up. Hurrah - one down, 299 to go. Still, in 2004 we began bookings in July, so we are already three months ahead of where we were two years ago!

Much like the Olympics, I was told that the last China Conference was 'the best I have ever been to'. I am confident that this one will be better still. Perhaps if you have been to the China Conference before, you could encourage me by leaving a comment with your highlights from last time! Better still, book on here .

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