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2025 Speak Up Conference Live

Join us July 10 – 12, 2025, at The Prince Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for a 3-day to gather together to learn how to spread the gospel and build up the body of Christ effectively through speaking and writing.

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Learn From Dynamic Keynote Speakers

Attend six powerful keynote sessions and six breakout sessions to take your ministry to the next level.

Network With The Pros

In-person attendees have the opportunity to schedule four 15-minute appointments with publishers, editors, agents, established authors, marketing experts, and other industry professionals!

You’ll also get to network with faculty throughout the entire conference.

Learn, Grow & Connect

  • Soak up panel discussions centered on the latest ministry and business trends.
  • Participate in round table discussions on hot-button issues for writers, speakers, and leaders.
  • Embrace personal connection and inspiration with other speakers, writers, and leaders on a similar path as you.
  • Experience God with our awesome worship sessions and a prayer room that’s staffed during the entire event.

As Christ’s Followers, We Have The Opportunity Of A Lifetime…

We get to use our gifts to share stories and experiences that can transform the lives of others all for God’s glory. If God has called you to write, speak or lead, the SpeakUp Conference is for you!

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From The Speak Up Community

This conference can be life-changing, but don’t just take our word for it!

Informative, friendly & blessed
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SpeakUp is one of the most informative, friendly, blessed conferences I look forward to each year! I highly recommend it to all my writer and speaker friends!
~ Phylis M.
Glean, grow & stay relevant!
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Speak Up is equipping me to constantly glean, grow, and stay relevant as a communicator in today’s world. I consider it a MUST conference to attend in my life.
~ Tricia H.
Boost your ministry to the next level
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SpeakUp is a conference that will boost you to the next level of whatever God has called you to do! It will give you confidence, hope and excitement for the future!
~ Leann S.
The training is invaluable!
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God used this equipping event to help me surrender my all to Him! The training I received was invaluable for the next step of my speaking and writing ministry!
~ Jodi T.
Healing work that has freed me!
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God used the SpeakUp Conference to complete a healing work in me that has freed me to enjoy writing, speaking, and teaching in ways I never have before.
~ Shellie A.
In-Person Experience

Get Your Live Ticket

Select a ticket option below to save your seat for the in-person Speak Up Conference on July 11 – 13, 2024, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Use Shop Pay at checkout for no-interest monthly payments!

Basic

$799 $599

Live/ In-Person Ticket

  • 6 Keynote sessions
  • 6 Live Breakout Sessions
  • 5 Panel Discussions
  • Up to (4) 15-minute appointments with industry professionals
  • Staffed Prayer Room
  • Conference Swag Bag
  • Conference Notebook
  • Conference meals (excluding pre-conference lunch)
  • Opportunity to submit to a publication contest by EA Books
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Plus

$999 $749

Live/ In-Person Ticket

  • Everything in the Basic package, plus…
  • 1 Pre-Conference Session ($100 value)
  • Pre-Conference Lunch Ticket ($25 value)
  • 15-Minute Photography Session – Get 1 Photo Headshot/ Promo Photo ($50 value)
  • An autographed book from Carol Kent ($25 value)

VIP

$1449 $999

Only 28 Tickets Available!

  • Everything in the Basic & Plus Package, plus…
  • VIP Lunch Reception with Carol Kent – Thursday 1:00-2:00 PM
  • Front and center VIP table seating, plus a meal with Carol at your VIP table
  • VIP Bag with goodies – ($25 value)
  • Digital Notebook with Answers ($25 value)
  • One-year access to downloads of the full conference ($420 value)
  • Faculty Drawing Giveaway

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have questions that have not been answered, please get in touch with us.

We want you to be comfortable, so plan accordingly.  You will want to look more professional if you are doing a video presentation or have appointments with publishing experts.  The conference center has excellent air conditioning and tends to be cool, so make sure you bring a sweater or jacket.

If you have registered for the pre-conference session, arrive by 9:30ish. The 3-hour sessions begin at 10:00 a.m. and end at 1:00 p.m.

If you have time constraints with flights, please fill out the form on this page or notify Bonnie by email.  If you have registered for Thursday’s optional lunch, arrive before 1 p.m.  The opening session will begin at 2 p.m.

When you arrive, you will receive a swag bag and a notebook containing materials from all the keynote and breakout sessions. It will have space for taking notes.  It will also have a printout of your selection for each session, just in case you forget to bring it.

You will want to bring your Bible, laptop, iPad, or tablet.  The Prince Center does not have a business center, but they will make copies if needed for a small fee.

We have a very generous cancellation policy. If you cannot come this year, you can transfer your registration to next year without penalty or problem if there is a price increase or change. 

If you would rather just cancel, all your money is returned, except for a $100 pre-registration fee. But that money is not lost to you. If you find you can attend another year, that money is applied to your registration at that time. 

No refunds after June 1. You can still transfer to next year or gift your registration fee to another person or to our scholarship fund blessing someone who would not be able to attend without assistance.

Yes. The entire conference center has Wi-Fi.

No. The track you select (speaking or writing) determines your small group time.  A great deal of preparation goes into the small group experience. 

  • Those in the Speaking Track will have the opportunity to speak twice in front of a small group of their peers and will be critiqued by a trained leader. 
  • Those in the Writing Track will have a 1st Page Peer Critiquing session, a Q & A with publishing experts, and appointments with publishing experts.

Feel free to choose from either track.  We want this experience to be as valuable as possible for each person attending.  Choose the breakout sessions that will most significantly impact your personal ministry. 

If you are a first-time attendee to the Speaking Track, we do have a list of recommendations that will give you the tools needed to be prepared to speak with confidence in almost any situation. That list can be found on the breakout sessions page.

Yes.  We want this experience to be the most beneficial to you.  If you have a change of heart about what session you would like to take, it’s not a problem for you to switch.

No.

  • Each conferee will receive at least four appointments with publishers, editors, publishing experts, social media experts, author or speaking mentors, and more.
  • Christina Custodio will have 15-minute headshot appointments available for $50. If you didn’t register for this at the time of registration, fill out the form on this page or email Bonnie to get a timeslot.

Very possibly. We work hard to schedule appointments during break times, but there is not enough time for all of them.

Appointments will be scheduled for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday morning. If you have an appointment scheduled during one of the breakout sessions, please sit near the door so it’s not obvious when you slip out.

Feel free to return when you’re finished. Also, we will have videos of each session that you can purchase after the conference.

During the conference, our meals are catered by the Prince Center.  They have an experienced catering department headed by a Certified Executive Chef and a Catering Manager.  We have selected food that you will love, and if you have any food allergies, they make accommodations if you let us know ahead of time.

No. Shuttle service has been discontinued due to COVID restrictions, but Uber & Lyft would love to serve you.

There’s a good chance you’ll run into another participant in the baggage claim area, so you may be able to share a ride.

Not officially, but we will connect by email with those staying at those hotels and arrange for carpooling options.

Yes. The Prince Conference Center is handicap accessible.

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Attendee Resources

Accommodations

Learn about the best places to stay in Grand Rapids, MI at the conference.

Pre-Conference Sessions

Discover which pre-conference sessions are right for you!

Breakout Sessions

Explore over 40 breakout sessions and select the top six you want to attend.

15-Minute Appointments

Learn more about the industry professionals you can meet with!

Conference Schedule

Check out the full pre-conference and 3-day conference schedule.

VIP Experience

Learn how you can get the VIP treatment! There are only 28 spots.