The Full List of Our 2026 Training Opportunities

As this post goes live, we are 317 days into 2025. There are 48 days left in the year. We’re just 42 days away from Christmas, people.

Now, we can deny that reality, or we can embrace it. I, for one, choose to gently hug the inevitable orbit around the sun. So, let me do my part by offering up all the dates that we have on the docket for next year.

One of our staff values is that we want to “show our work,” meaning if there are potholes, pitfalls, and dead ends we’ve hit through the years, we want to help you avoid all of those things. (And who knows, we might even share a decent idea or two along the way.)

The Summit’s Guest Services and Events Team – the group that I lead – offers three tiers of training each year. 2026 is coming soon, and since some of you have been asking, here’s the skinny:

Guest Services Weekenders

• What they are: a Thursday evening event on site at The Summit Church, giving you a behind-the-scenes look at our Guest Services Team training, a glimpse of our team in action, and plenty of time to debrief and ask questions. 
• Who they’re for: Weekenders are perfect for church staff and volunteers who are responsible for guest services or first impressions. Weekenders are limited to 30 people per event.
• 2026 dates: February 19, May 28, August 20, November 19
• Cost: toss your budget out the window, because all Weekenders are totally free.
• More information / RSVP here.

One-Day Workshops

• What they are: we take one full day and dive deep into one single topic. We talk about the philosophy, theology, and practicality behind Guest Services; how to recruit, train, celebrate, and develop your people in Volunteer Culture, how to move your guests from connected to committed in After the First Visit, and how to create a hospitality culture in every crevice of your organization in Guest Services 2.0.
• Who they’re for: Workshops are designed for teams, so we encourage you to load up the van with staff or volunteers. Our Workshops are designed for 40-80 people per event.
• 2026 dates: October 6-8. Our 2025 triathlon (three events in three days) was so popular, we’re bringing it back! Topics will be announced in May.
• Cost: $99 per person, per Workshop covers materials, lots of resources, two meals, and snacks throughout the day
• More information here. Registration begins in May.

Connections Confab

• What it is: the Confab is a coaching network that includes three on-site visits to the Summit over the course of January to May. We intentionally keep the numbers small so we can keep the conversation deep. We drill down on your issues with guest services, volunteer culture, assimilation, leadership development, multi-site, and more.
• Who it’s for: Confab is best for church staff members who are primarily responsible for guest services or volunteers, but our alumni include lead pastors, exec pastors, communications directors, worship directors, next gen staff, and even the occasional intern. Each year’s Confab is capped at 15 people.
• 2026 dates: January 21-22, March 15-16, May 5-6
• Cost: $1,500 per person includes all meals and experiences on site, a ton of resources, and way more. (It’s a lot of bang for your buck, and 1/3 of the cost of similar coaching networks.)
• Apply: the application window closed on November 30, 2025. Sign up for updates for 2027.
• More information: dfranks.com/confab

Do random dates drive you a wee bit insane? Me too. Here they all are in chronological order:

• Jan 21-22: Connections Confab session 1
• Feb 19: Guest Services Weekender
• Mar 15-16: Connections Confab session 2
• May 5-6: Connections Confab session 3
• May 28: Guest Services Weekender
• Aug 20: Guest Services Weekender
• Oct 6: One-Day Workshop #1 (topic to be announced in May)
• Oct 7: One-Day Workshop #2 (topic to be announced in May)
• Oct 8: One-Day Workshop #3 (topic to be announced in May)
• Nov 19: Guest Services Weekender

Of course, there’s a little fine print here: all dates above are subject to change.

One more thing on that budget planning: if you’re traveling to our area – as roughly 80% of our participants do – you’ll fly into / out of the Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Our team has also worked with area hotels to get you the best group rates possible.

Finally, if all of these dates and options leave your head spinning and you’d like to talk about the best route for you and/or your staff or volunteer team, email me or let’s set up a quick phone call.

If you want to get notifications whenever sign up links go live, fill out the super quick form below.

photo credit: Charlie Martin