Join Us for the 2023 AYP Convention!
Join us in Texas for our annual 3-day leadership convention infused with inspiring stories, rich and practical ideas, and engagement with leadership experts. Don’t delay in inviting a friend and signing up today!
Registration
Lodging
Exhibitors
Testimonies
Event Information
The AYP Thrive Convention is coming to the Hurst Conference Center in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex on July 28 – 30, 2023 and will feature world-renown speaker Benjamin Lundquist. Stay tuned as more information about the convention becomes available.
Space is limited and is expected to sell out. Event passes include access to all sessions as well as lunch and supper on Sabbath. Breakfast is included with your hotel reservation when booking with the AYP event code. See below for information about ticket pricing.
Super Early Bird SOLD OUT
- Price: $69.99
- Date: July 31, 2022 – August 8, 2022
Early Bird SOLD OUT
- Price: $84.99
- Date: August 8, 2022 – December 31, 2022
Standard
- Price: $104.99
- Date: January 1, 2023 – June 30, 2023
Late
- Price: $124.99
- Date: July 1, 2023 – July 28, 2023
Discounts:
Want to save money on your ticket?
- Purchase your ticket early!
- Earn $10 off your ticket for every friend you invite.
- Bring a group and receive 2 free tickets for every 10 tickets purchased.
The schedule below is subject to change. Exhibit halls are open throughout the weekend with the exception of during the four general sessions.
Friday:
1:00 – Pre-Convention Service Project
5:00 – Dinner (On Your Own)
6:00 – Doors Open & Exhibit Hall
6:30 – Welcome Mixer
7:15 – Session 1
Sabbath:
7:00 – Prayer Room
8:00 – Breakfast (Included with Hotel Reservation)
9:00 – Doors Open & Exhibit Hall
9:30 – Sabbath School
10:30 – Session 2
12:00 – Group Photo
12:15 – Lunch
2:00 – Workshops
5:30 – Supper
7:00 – Session 3
8:30 – Evening Activities
Sunday:
7:00 – Prayer Room
8:00 – Breakfast (Included with Hotel Reservation)
9:00 – Doors Open & Exhibit Hall
9:30 – Session 4
11:00 – Explore Dallas/Fort Worth with New AYP Friends
The Thrive Convention will be hosted at the Hurst Conference Center located at 1601 Campus Dr, Hurst, TX 76054 and connected via complimentary shuttle to the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
With direct flights to 263 airports, the DFW International Airport is a global travel hub and the Hurst Conference Center is a short 10 minute ride away. Additionally those interested in exploring Dallas and Fort Worth during their time in Texas will just be minutes away from these world class cities!
- 10 minutes from the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
- 15 minutes from downtown Fort Worth
- 25 minutes from downtown Dallas and Love Field Airport
To care for our out of town guests, complimentary shuttle service is being provided within a five mile radius of the conference center. Please call the Hilton Garden Inn Hurst Conference Center at least 24 hours ahead of your stay to request a ride or to request an airport pickup.
Convention registration fees are transferable but non-refundable.
Post on the AYP social wall or in your local chapter WhatsApp chat to find other AYPers looking for a roommate or a ride.
Flying to Texas? Use promo code HAL02 on AA.com for discounted flights with American Airlines.
Due to limited space as well as the fact that meals are catered in the same space as programming, the Sabbath program will not be open to the public. Only those who have registered will be allowed to participate in the event. Individuals who are not registered and come on Sabbath will kindly be asked to leave.
Please email Jazzmine Bankston, Convention Director at Jazzmine.Bankston@AYP.me with any questions or comments. Due to the high number of emails we receive, please forward your message to Jasmin Rodriguez, Assistant Convention Director, at Jasmin.Rodriguez@AYP.me if you do not receive a response within 3 business days.
Event Speakers
More Information Coming Soon
Keynote Speaker
Benjamin Lundquist, host of Rise & Lead, will headline 2023 AYP Convention.
Benjamin Lundquist is a top motivational speaker and one the leading voices for leadership development and empowerment. He is passionate about helping students and professionals see their worth and value, see themselves as a leader, and see their potential to change the world. The message he shares is motivating, relatable, and highly practical. Audiences are challenged to take extreme ownership of the unique gifts and opportunities they have. He is an international speaker and host of Rise and Lead Podcast which has been downloaded in over 110 countries providing aspiring and experienced leaders of all ages with world-class content and conversation. He frequently speaks at corporate and faith events, universities, and high schools.
Communities | Breakout Track
Michael Gibson currently serves as the Lead Pastor at the Keene SDA Church where he most previously served for four years as Pastor for Young Adults and lead Elevate, a growing and thriving young adult community in Keene. Michael is married to Melissa and they both enjoy the outdoors, long walks, and traveling to new, unexplored places.
Most days, when he’s not teaching, preaching or studying, you’ll find him playing disc golf or working on home renovations with Melissa. They recently welcomed their son, Micah Eden, into the world last October and ever since, life has taken on a whole new meaning. Above all, Michael and Melissa have a passion for discipleship and telling others about the incredible God they serve. For them, the gospel boils down to loving God and loving people.
Spiritual Health | Breakout Track
Shawn is passionate about generations coming together! She grew up in a four-generation family business and knows, from first-hand experience, that when people of all ages work together, everyone wins!
She has a B.S. in marketing from the University of Nebraska and is an award-winning sales and marketing professional. Her professional certifications include being a member of the John Maxwell Team and DISC Behavioral Consultant. Recently she published her first book “Strategies for Generational Inclusion at Work.”
Relationships | Breakout Track
Stephen and Felecia Lee are partners in the mission. They share a mutual passion for young adult ministries and using their talents to share the Gospel online and through speaking engagements. Stephen helps individuals and businesses function more efficiently through time management and productivity techniques. Felecia is a full-time homemaker and also the founder of the New Wives Club.
In addition to this, she runs a program teaching women of color how to learn principles of faith through natural hair care. They live in New Hampshire and speak in different places on topics related to singleness, courtship, communication, evangelism, and faith.
Purpose & Calling | Breakout Track
Ann Roda likes to describe her life as one long adventure with God. She began her career as a
a registered nurse in OB then transitioned into healthcare administration. Then, God unexpectedly redirected her path to the Adventist Theological Seminary, for an MDiv, and into pastoral ministry. She spent 15 years as a church pastor in Marietta, Georgia and Fulton, Maryland. Six years ago, God had another adventure for Ann, and called her back into the health care ministry, serving with Adventist HealthCare as Vice President for Mission and Spiritual Care.
This position is the perfect combination of both pastoral ministry and health care. Ann is married to Jose Hernandez, a licensed professional counselor. Ann and her husband enjoy hiking, biking, and traveling.
Identity in Christ | Breakout Track
April is currently an associate pastor for discipleship at Keene SDA church. She is enrolled in a dual graduate program for Public Health and MDIV chaplaincy. She enjoys working with different ministries that highlight service, hospitality, and life enrichment.
Her hobbies include traveling, reading, music, and extreme sports. An introvert at heart, she enjoys moments with close friends and in the quiet. Her and her husband, Blake Snyder reside in Burleson, Texas.