Will you offer live-streaming of this conference or an option to attend 'virtually'?
The hallmark of our conferences is bringing people together to create a space for engaging discussion and meaningful fellowship in service to the growth of Orthodox education. We do not live-stream this conference or offer “virtual” attendance.
Will recordings of the conference be made available to the public following the conference?
We will record and post a selection of the 2021 Saint Kosmas Conference presentations on the Saint Kosmas website. These selected presentations will be posted over the course of the year as either transcripts or digital media. One speaker that will not be recorded this year is Nathan Pierce, Director of Operations and Legislative Liaison for Family Protection Ministries of California. Also, the “Talks with the Youth” are never recorded. The only way to gain access to the presentations of Mr. Pierce or the “Talks with the Youth” is to be physically present.
Will there be childcare for the youngest ages?
YES! We have added childcare options for children ages 6 months and up. The pricing page and the online registration form have been updated. Families who registered early with toddlers at no charge (with no childcare) will receive the childcare option at no additional cost. Toddler childcare will be available at both North and South Campus, so that parents can check on their youngest children easily during sessions. Parents also have the option to keep their toddler-age child with them in seminars as long as the child can be reasonably quiet. For a full break-down of the pricing options related to food and childcare for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, please visit the pricing page.
What jurisdiction are you affiliated with?
Saint Kosmas Orthodox Christian Education Association is an independent non-profit organization, not affiliated with or attached to any particular jurisdiction. Likewise, the 2021 Saint Kosmas Arizona Conference is not affiliated with any particular jurisdiction. There will not be any church services held at the 2021 Saint Kosmas Conference, but families can participate in the liturgical cycle of the Church during their stay in Arizona by visiting local Phoenix-area churches and monasteries of various jurisdictions. Links to service schedules for local Phoenix-area parishes and monasteries will be provided on this website for the dates that encompass the conference and the weekend of the conference conclusion. Our speaker line-up this year includes Orthodox Christians born in Romania, Ukraine, Greece, and America reflecting how truly pan-Orthodox is our conference. Please visit our home page, saintkosmas.org, to learn more about us.
What is the deadline to register?
General registration will be open until March 31, or until we reach maximum capacity, whichever comes first. Registration will NOT be extended into April for any reason.
Exhibitor registration will be open until March 31, or until space in the exhibition hall is sold out, whichever comes first. Some exhibitor package components have an earlier deadline (such as the black and white ad in the program), so to take advantage of the full package, exhibitors should register by March 1. For more information about exhibitor deadlines, view the Exhibitor Information page.
What is the possibility that the conference will be canceled due to COVID?
Based on the history of the Arizona governor's response to COVID during 2020, we do not anticipate any state mandates that would cause the resort to be closed or even limited in function. However, we have taken the following measures to be able to observe any possible COVID protocols that may potentially be required by the state, county, or Church at the time of the 2021 Saint Kosmas Conference in April to ensure our ability to hold the conference:
We have secured over 10,000 square feet of indoor meeting room space at the Gold Canyon Golf Resort and approximately the same amount of outdoor meeting space. This amount of space will easily allow us to accommodate social distancing protocols if required at the time of our conference. We will be utilizing the following venues at the Gold Canyon Golf Resort: Kiva Board Room, Kachina Room, Geronimo Room, Towne Hall Square Complex, The Ballroom, Towne Hall Pavilion, and Upper Towne Hall, as well as surrounding lawn areas. Visit the Gold Canyon Golf Resort's "Venue Location" page to learn more about these spacious venues being utilized for the 2021 Saint Kosmas Arizona Conference.
We have arranged for all meals to be served in individual boxed containers and served outdoors. Outdoor dining will take place in the Towne Hall Pavilion and the lawn areas of the Towne Hall Square complex. This will allow us to follow the strictest food service protocols if required, and will also be very practical for families with children. To view the outdoor dining locations, visit the resort's "Venue Location" page.
For more information, visit the Saint Kosmas Conference COVID policy page and the Gold Canyon Golf Resort COVID policy page.
How many attendees do you expect? What has been the response thus far?
We opened online registration on January 1, and in the first month, we received registrations from 12 states and met the contracted minimum headcount needed to make this conference happen. Thus far, we have general registrations from Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. Numbers are difficult to predict at this point as we will have registration open another 60 days or until we reach maximum capacity.
In the registration form, there is a survey question that asks, “What is the primary reason you are attending the 2021 Saint Kosmas Conference?” and 90% of registrants thus far have responded, “to connect with other Orthodox Christians.” We are very excited about this year’s lecture content, speaker line-up, new location, and exhibitors committed to being present at the curriculum fair. However, more than all of that, we are thankful to have the opportunity to bring people together for engaging discussion and meaningful fellowship in service to the growth of Orthodox education. We hope you will join us at the 2021 Saint Kosmas Orthodox Education Conference!
2021 Saint Kosmas Conference
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