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Events

June 9-12, 2019

Scottsdale, AZ

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#CYMC

Comprehensive Training

From humble beginnings many years ago, this event has grown and evolved over the years, but our charge has remained the same: equip adults to lead teens closer to Christ. Whether you are new to ministry, or looking for the best practices to continue your ministry, you'll find this event has something for you. You can count on incredible keynotes from the best and brightest Catholic speakers and artists, breakout sessions designed to be practical and relevant to your ministry, and a foundation in the sacraments to renew your ministry through your relationship with God. Whether you are a priest, youth minister, DRE, core member, campus minister, or an interested parent, we are ready to serve and train you.

Practical Sessions

With over 30 years of experience, Life Teen's Catholic Youth Ministry Training Convention has become one of America's premier events for everyone involved in youth ministry. As a collaborative member of NFCYM, we believe in practical, comprehensive youth ministry training. The Convention features 50+ breakout sessions to help you cover all the bases of youth ministry. Whether it's utilizing the latest technology at your parish, improving your small group skills, or making the most of your budget, our breakout sessions are designed to help you lead teens closer to Christ in whatever setting your ministry takes place.

Community & Spiritual Renewal

In addition to practical, comprehensive training, you'll experience community and personal spiritual renewal. Make connections with other from your area, network with those in similar situations as you, and learn from some of the best youth leaders around. Be renewed in your own relationship with God through Daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation, praise and worship, and other times of prayer. You'll leave knowing you're not alone, but part of a greater community with a God who knows you, sees you, and loves you.

Registration Is Open!

Register Now

Keynote Speakers, Worship Leaders & Special Guests

Fr. Mike Schmitz

Katie Prejean McGrady

Dr. Bob Rice

Ike Ndolo

Fr. Dan Beeman

Fr. John Parks

Matthew Leonard

Fr. Bob Schreiner

Life Teen Staff

Our passionate staff is here to train you in today's most effective youth ministry, catechetical, and evangelistic methods.

Randy Raus

Mark Hart

Steve Allgeyer

Joel Stepanek

David Calavitta

Amanda Grubbs

Lily Hannan

Jessica McMillan

Sarah Houde

Ryan O'Connell

Stephanie Espinoza

Leah Murphy

Katie Gray

Patrick Gulpo


"Life Teen has really worked hard to provide for their teens, youth ministers, core members, and priests. CYMC always goes beyond my expectations and inspires me each time.”

- 2018 CYMC Participant

2019 Schedule

Check-in runs from 10:45am-1:45pm.
Convention officially begins at 2:00pm on Sunday.
Convention ends at 12:00pm on Wednesday.

View Full Schedule

Details

Location

The Convention is held at the:

DoubleTree Paradise Valley Resort
5401 North Scottsdale Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85250

The closest airport is the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX).

Price

Don’t wait to register! The earlier you register, the more you save!

$550 Super Early Bird // Register by Mar. 15
$570 Early Bird // Register by Apr. 15
$590 Regular Rate // Apr. 15 Onward

Registration fee includes all sessions, breakouts, materials, Sunday dinner, Monday lunch & dinner, and Tuesday lunch & dinner.
Guests are responsible for booking their own hotel rooms.  See below for hotel information.

All participants must fill out this participant agreement form and bring it with them to the event.

Payment & Cancellation Policies

All registration fees must be paid no later than 30 days prior to the event.  Payment can be made by check or credit card.

Checks should be made out to Life Teen and mailed to:

Life Teen, Inc.
ATTN: Convention 2019
P.O. Box 117299
Atlanta, GA  30368-7299

Cancellation Fees:

  • 60 or more days before = full refund
  • 30-60 days before = $100 cancellation fee
  • 14-30 days before = $200 cancellation fee
  • Less than 14 days before = no refund

ACCOMMODATIONS

DoubleTree Paradise Valley Resort

The Convention is held at the DoubleTree Paradise Valley Resort. This luxurious resort in Scottsdale, Arizona is the perfect destination to relax, enjoy the sun, and be cared for during your time at CYMC. Thousands of participants have left glowing reviews of one of Arizona’s premier resort facilities. And they give you a warm delicious cookie when you check in, too!

Rooms are available at the DoubleTree for a discounted rate of $80/night. You must contact the resort directly at (480) 315-2159 to book your room. Be sure to mention that you are with the Life Teen conference to receive the discounted rate. The cutoff date for the discounted rate is May 20th, but rooms at this property go fast, so call to book yours soon!

2019-CYMC-Hotel-DoubleTree-1024

If the Life Teen room block at the DoubleTree is sold out, no worries… we’ve got you covered! Additional rooms can be booked at any of the following locations. A free shuttle will be provided between these hotels and the DoubleTree Resort so you won’t miss any of the excitement!

Please note the shuttle will ONLY run to and from these properties, so be sure to book at one of them if you plan to ride the shuttle. The shuttle will not be able to pick up or drop off at any other locations outside the conference designated hotels.

Embassy Suites

CYMC-2019-Hotel-Embassy-Suites
Website: Embassy Suites Scottsdale
Location: 5001 North Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale, AZ  85250
Rate: $89/night – including breakfast!
Cut Off Date: May 17th or when block fills
To Book: Call the Embassy Suites directly at 800-362-2779 and be sure to mention that you are with the Life Teen Convention to receive the discounted rate.

The Scott

CYMC-2019-Hotel-The-Scott-Resort
Website: The Scott Resort and Spa
Location: 4925 North Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Rate: $119/night + $15 resort fee
Cut Off Date: Rooms based on availability
To Book: Call The Scott directly at 800-528-7867 and be sure to mention that you are with the Life Teen Convention to receive the discounted rate.

Residence Inn

CYMC-2019-Hotel-Residence-Inn
Website: Residence Inn Paradise Valley
Location: 6040 North Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85253
Rate: $99/night – including breakfast!
Cut Off Date: May 31st or when block fills
To Book: Call The Residence Inn directly at 800-331-3131 or book at this link. Be sure to mention that you are with the Life Teen Convention to receive the discounted rate.


"I've never met a group of people more supportive of priests. Besides learning more about youth ministry, I always leave Life Teen events spiritually refreshed and confirmed in my ministry as a priest."

- Fr. Nathan March, Diocese of Portland, ME

Priest Scholarships

Priests attend Life Teen training for FREE because we believe priests are essential for effective youth ministry.

This event provides an opportunity for priests with a passion for their vocation and for serving the young church to connect and support one another. The training sessions will provide you with material to take home to grow your parish community and the times of prayer will contribute to your own spiritual renewal. The combination of these things all in one place leads priests who attend once to return year after year.

Generous donors have made it possible for all priests to attend any Life Teen training conference for free.  Simply indicate you are a priest when you register and your registration fee will be waived.  If you’re a priest and you’ve never been to a Life Teen event before, we will also cover your flight and hotel expenses!  To receive this portion of the scholarship, please register online for the conference and then submit this Shepherd’s Scholarship application form along with your airfare and hotel receipts to TJ Poynor, Events Registration Coordinator. Please contact him with any questions at tpoynor@lifeteen.com or call 800-809-3902 ext. 231.


"I am so blessed to have the opportunity to attend this convention. It's something that I look forward to every year! Sometimes it can feel lonely working in ministry, but this convention really helps me to connect with other youth ministers. We share our stories, ideas, and build a support system."

- 2018 CYMC Participant

Frequently Asked Questions

We've got most of your questions answered below. You can always contact us if you can't find what you're looking for!

What does my convention fee include?

Your convention fee includes all sessions, breakouts, and materials. In addition, Sunday dinner, Monday lunch and dinner, and Tuesday lunch and dinner are included. Guests are responsible for booking their own hotel rooms.

What do I do if I have a food allergy?

If you have a food allergy we need to be aware of (vegetarian, lactose intolerant, wheat/peanut allergy, etc.), please let us know. There is a section that allows you to share this information with us during the online registration process. We always do our very best to accommodate your needs; however, it never hurts to bring some snacks just in case.

What is the weather like? How should I dress?

Phoenix is very warm during the summer. Dress to be casual and comfortable. The main room/breakout rooms can get chilly so bring a sweater or sweatshirt just in case. There is a pool at the resort so bring your bathing suit!

I am a priest and I would like to concelebrate Mass. What do I need to bring with me?

We would love for you to concelebrate! We ask that you please bring your own vestments (alb & stole).

I am trying to book my flight. What time does the conference start & end?

Convention officially begins at 2:00pm on Sunday. Check-in runs from 10:45am-1:45pm. Convention ends at noon on Wednesday.  The Phoenix airport is less than 30 minutes drive from the Convention site.

I am flying into Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport but I’m not renting a car. Do you provide transportation?

Life Teen does not provide transportation to and from the airport for the Convention. We do recommend Super Shuttle as a good option from the airport to the resort.  Uber and Lyft are also great options for getting around Scottsdale/Phoenix but be sure to get a rate quote.

Will the Life Teen Store have resources for me to buy?

Yes, the Life Teen Store will have many options for you to choose from.  And, if we do not have a particular resource on site for you to purchase, we will be happy to help you order it online!

What does my convention fee include?
What do I do if I have a food allergy?
What is the weather like? How should I dress?
I am a priest and I would like to concelebrate Mass. What do I need to bring with me?
I am trying to book my flight. What time does the conference start & end?
I am flying into Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport but I'm not renting a car. Do you provide transportation?
Will the Life Teen Store have resources for me to buy?
I called the resort or overflow hotels and the reservations line told me there is not a "Life Teen Conference" listed there or the room block is full. What should I do?

I called the resort and the reservations line told me there is not a “Life Teen Conference” listed there. What should I do?

The DoubleTree Resort hosts numerous events throughout the year and sometimes the person on the phone may not be aware of our conference. It may be a simple mistake in relaying the proper information to you. One recommendation is to hang up and call back to speak with a different person. If the problem continues, give us a call at the Life Teen office: 800-809-3902.

Are you going to sell digital copies of the convention talks?

Yes, we will have a digital audio download of all keynote and breakout talks for sale at the conference. The digital download will not contain music that is played at the conference (we cannot record and distribute music for copyright reasons). In the registration process, you will have an option to pre-order the digital download. You can also purchase the download on site.  Digital talk downloads cannot be ordered after the event ends, so be sure to pre-order yours or order it on site!  Cost is $50.

I am coming to the convention and want to bring my spouse/kids. Can I do that?

Yes, you are more than welcome to bring your families! If they would like to join you for meals, you can purchase an Additional Meal Plan for each of them when you register.  The meal plan cost $150/person.  While conference sessions are for registered participants only, family members are welcome to attend Mass with you each day.

Are scholarships available?

We have a limited amount of scholarship money available for youth ministers only.  Unfortunately, we do not have funds available for core members.  If you are in great need of financial assistance, please download this scholarship application and submit it. Priests should see the Shepherd’s Scholarship info further up this webpage. 

Have more questions?  Contact us!

We are here to help you!  You can always contact the Events Team with any questions you may have.

Sarah Houde, Director of Events
shoude@lifeteen.com, 800-809-3902 ext. 201

Miranda Baniewicz, Assistant to the Director of Events
mbaniewicz@lifeteen.com, 800-809-3902 ext. 226

TJ Poynor, Events Registration Coordinator
tpoynor@lifeteen.com, 800-809-3902 ext. 231

Are you going to sell digital copies of the convention talks?
I am coming to the convention and want to bring my spouse/kids. Can I do that?
Are scholarships available?
Have more questions?  Contact us!

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