“Connected in the AtL”: Catholic Media Conference 2024

By Ms. Julia St. Clair, Province Communications Director

(New Rochelle, NY – June 27) – This year’s Catholic Media Conference (CMC) took place in Atlanta, GA, from Tuesday, June 18, through Friday, June 21. It was held at the Atlanta Marriott Buckhead and Conference Center in the Buckhead neighborhood. Hundreds of media professionals journeyed from across the country to “Connect in the AtL.” Note the lowercase “t” in ATL meant to symbolize the cross and therefore Christ.

While this year’s conference ran very similar to previous years, some unique changes occurred. First, physical sign-in sheets were foregone in favor of scanning a QR code to sign into sections digitally. This was done through Jotform. Second, the CMC Educational Roundtables, which traditionally have been held near the end of the conference, took place during Wednesday afternoon, June 19. Additionally, Mass, which has usually been offered each day in a basilica or cathedral, was held two days at the hotel. The closing Mass also occurred in the morning of the last day this year as opposed to the late afternoon.

This year’s Cardinal John P. Foley Award went to the Diocese of Lansing’s Matt Riedl, while Florida Catholic’s Ana Rodriguez-Soto took home the St. Francis de Sales Award, affectionately known as the “Franny” amongst Catholic media professionals.

A member of the Salesian Family, Tampa’s communications director and coordinator of youth ministry Chioma Okoye, was featured as an “example” of a compelling profile story in “Faith in Action: Showcasing Real-life Stories of Individuals and Communities Living Out Their Faith, and How Magazines Can Spotlight These Inspiring Tales to Motivate Others” led by the Diocese of St. Petersburg’s executive communications director Teresa Peterson.

It was a beautiful and moving experience to “Connect in the AtL” with fellow Catholic media professionals, especially those of us who “wear many hats” in our departments.

Next year’s conference will “Arise in the Desert” in Phoenix, AZ, from June 24-27, 2025.