LDSPMA Conference: Frequently Asked Questions

Not at all! LDSPMA is an international organization for members and friends of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who are involved in publishing, media, and the arts—or who are interested in becoming involved. Everyone is welcome to attend.

No. The conference is open to everyone.

Becoming a member of LDSPMA provides additional benefits, such as early access to announcements, discounts, and ongoing training resources—but membership is not required to attend.

Yes. While we do not offer live-streaming of the in-person conference, virtual attendees can participate in select virtual sessions leading up to the conference and will receive access to session recordings after the event.

Attendees must be at least 12 years old to participate in the conference.

• Youth ages 12–18 are welcome and qualify for discounted registration
• Youth ages 12–15 must be accompanied by an adult
• Babies in arms (approximately 12 months or younger) may attend without a ticket as long as they do not disrupt sessions

The LDSPMA Conference brings together a wide range of creators and professionals, including:

• Writers (fiction and nonfiction)
• Editors and publishing professionals
• Filmmakers, podcasters, and media creators
• Artists, designers, and musicians
• Marketers and industry professionals

Many attendees wear multiple hats, making this a highly collaborative and connection-focused environment.

The LDSPMA Conference is designed specifically for creators who want to grow both professionally and personally.

In addition to practical training and industry insight, the conference emphasizes community, meaningful connection, and purpose-driven creativity—creating an environment where you can learn, connect, and be inspired.

Registration opens April 24, 2026.

We offer tiered pricing, so registering earlier gives you access to the lowest available rate.

Yes. Conference pricing increases in phases as the event approaches. Early registration offers the best value, so we recommend securing your spot as soon as possible.

Your main conference registration includes:

• Access to all Friday and Saturday keynote sessions
• Access to breakout sessions across multiple tracks
• Entry to interactive sessions (Real-Time Reactions, networking, etc.)
• Access to session recordings after the conference

Additional experiences—such as Deep-Dive Workshops, the Thursday lunch keynote, Fast Pitch, headshots, and the Awards Gala—are available as add-ons.

Some Thursday experiences are included, while others are optional add-ons.

• Included: Inside Your Industry Panels and the LDSPMA Launch Party
• Add-ons: Deep-Dive Workshops and the Thursday lunch keynote

You can customize your experience by selecting the options that best fit your goals.

Yes. Some events—such as the Awards Gala and Thursday lunch keynote—are available as individual add-ons and may be attended without a full conference registration.

Yes. Students receive a discounted registration rate.

To qualify, you must be a part-time or full-time student at the time of the conference.

Yes. Youth ages 12–18 qualify for discounted registration pricing.

Yes. We offer discounts for groups registering together.

Please email conference@ldspma.org to arrange group registration and receive additional pricing details.

Yes. You can return to the registration page at any time to add additional experiences (such as workshops or the Gala) to your existing registration.

If you need to cancel your registration, please email us at conference@ldspma.org.

Refunds are processed according to the following schedule:

• Cancel by September 1: Full refund
• Cancel between September 1 and October 4: 50% refund
• Cancel after October 4: No refund

Deep-Dive Workshops are extended, hands-on sessions held on Thursday morning and afternoon.

These workshops allow you to focus on a specific topic in greater depth and gain practical skills you can immediately apply. Deep-Dive Workshops are available as an add-on.

Inside Your Industry Panels are interactive discussions featuring professionals from specific creative industries.

These panels provide insight into real-world experiences, allow for audience questions, and help you better understand how to grow within your field.

The LDSPMA Launch Party is a Thursday evening event that includes dinner, entertainment, and opportunities to connect with other attendees in a relaxed, welcoming environment.

It’s a great way to kick off the conference and start building relationships early.

Yes. The Thursday lunch keynote is available as a separate add-on for those not attending a Deep-Dive Workshop.

The Thursday lunch keynote features a guest speaker and provides an opportunity to gather, learn, and be inspired before the main conference begins.

This session is included for Deep-Dive attendees and available as an add-on for others.

The Meet-the-Creators event takes place on Saturday afternoon and provides an opportunity to meet authors, artists, and other creators, explore their work, and make connections in a more casual setting.

Interactive Sessions are hands-on opportunities to engage directly with industry professionals and receive feedback on your work.

These include Fast Pitch, Real-Time Reactions, and Quick Critiques.

Fast Pitch is a structured, timed opportunity for authors to present their book idea directly to a publishing professional or literary agent.

Each participant gives a short pitch followed by immediate feedback. Sign-ups open with registration, and time slots are assigned in the order registrations are received.

Fast Pitch is designed specifically for authors with book projects. Participants must be registered conference attendees.

Real-Time Reactions sessions allow attendees to submit materials—such as query letters, first pages, book descriptions, or cover designs—and receive live feedback from industry professionals during breakout sessions.

More details and submission guidelines will be shared closer to the conference.

Yes. If you would like your work to be reviewed, you will need to submit materials in advance. Attendance is open to all conference attendees.

Quick Critiques provide professional feedback on your manuscript (up to 3,000 words or a first chapter) from experienced editors.

Sign-ups for Quick Critiques will open closer to the conference. We will email all registrants with details when they become available.

Most keynote sessions and breakout classes will be recorded and made available to attendees after the conference.

Some experiences—such as Deep-Dive Workshops, Fast Pitch, and Quick Critiques—are not recorded.

Dinner is included on Thursday and lunch is included on Friday and Saturday. There are options available for a variety of dietary needs.

Additional meals—such as the Thursday lunch keynote and the Awards Gala dinner—are available as add-ons.

Yes. Meal options will include accommodations for common dietary needs such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and more.

Additional details and menus will be provided closer to the conference.

We recommend bringing:

• A notebook or device for taking notes
• Business cards or contact information
• A reusable water bottle
• Comfortable clothing and shoes

You may also want to bring materials to share if you are participating in networking or interactive sessions.

The Networking Hour is a structured opportunity to connect with others in your industry or area of interest.

You’ll join a small group, introduce yourself, share what you’re working on, and connect with others who have similar goals. You’ll have time to meet multiple groups and build meaningful connections.

Yes. In addition to the Networking Hour, there are many opportunities throughout the conference to connect, including:

• The LDSPMA Launch Party (Thursday evening)
• Breaks between sessions
• Interactive sessions and panels
• The Meet-the-Creators event

Most keynote sessions and breakout classes will be recorded and made available to attendees after the conference.

The following will not be recorded:

• Deep-Dive Workshops
• Fast Pitch sessions
• Quick Critiques
• The Meet-the-Creators event
• Portions of the Awards Gala

If you’re interested in volunteering, please visit our Conference Volunteer page for details on available roles, time commitments, and how to sign up.

The minimum age to attend is 12 years old. Children under 12 are not permitted, except for babes in arms (approximately 12 months or younger).
View full Children Policy

LDSPMA maintains a politically neutral environment. Attendees are asked to avoid political advocacy, debate, or endorsement in conference settings.
View full Political Neutrality Policy

All attendees are expected to treat others with respect. Harassment, discrimination, or disruptive behavior of any kind will not be tolerated.
View full Code of Conduct & Anti-Harassment Policy

• Full refunds are available through September 1
• 50% refunds are available from September 1 – October 4
• Registrations are non-refundable after October 4

Yes—there are free parking options available on campus.

Closer to the conference, we will provide a detailed parking guide with recommended lots, maps, and instructions.

We recommend allowing extra time to park, walk to the building, and check in before your first session.

We recommend arriving at least 15–20 minutes before your first scheduled time to allow time for parking, check-in, and getting oriented.

Yes. We have partnered with the Hampton Inn & Suites Orem to offer a discounted rate for conference attendees.

A limited block of rooms (25 total) is available at this rate and must be reserved using the provided booking link: Available Rooms – Hampton Inn & Suites Orem

We recommend booking early, as discounted rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Yes. Several nearby hotels are within walking distance or a short drive from the UVU campus.

Yes. The Utah Valley Express (UVX) bus line stops at UVU and connects to the Orem and Provo FrontRunner stations, as well as nearby areas.

More detailed transportation information will be provided closer to the conference.

No. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email.

You’ll check in at the conference to receive your badge and materials.

Recordings are typically available for a limited time after the conference (generally around 60 days). The exact access window will be shared with attendees.

Recordings are uploaded as they are processed by our team of volunteer editors.

We aim to have all recordings available within several weeks after the conference, with most completed before late fall.

Most keynote sessions and breakout classes will be recorded.

The following will not be recorded:

• Deep-Dive Workshops
• Fast Pitch sessions
• Quick Critiques
• The Meet-the-Creators event
• Portions of the Awards Gala

Yes. Recordings will be available for purchase after the conference for those who did not attend.

If you have any issues accessing the recordings or attendee portal, please contact us at info@ldspma.org, and we’ll be happy to help.