AYP-Thrive-Convention-Background-Icon-White

July 28-30, 2023
DFW, Texas


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!

Digital Program

Access the digital program for the 2023 AYP Convention,
Digital Program

Lodging

Discounted AYP Rooms are SOLD OUT. Book your room at the connected hotel for $143 per night or at the nearby Hyatt hotel for $118.
Book Your Room

Exhibitors

All booths at the 2023 AYP Convention are SOLD OUT. Reserve your exhibit space for the 2024 convention today.
Reserve Your 2024 Convention Booth

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.

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

SOLD OUT

  • 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?

  1. Purchase your ticket early!
  2. Earn $10 off your ticket for every friend you invite.
  3. Bring a group and receive 2 free tickets for every 10 tickets purchased.
Discount codes and group rates are not combinable.

Don’t let finances stop you from coming to the 2023 AYP Convention! Our scholarship covers up to 80% of your ticket (on a needs basis) and we have various discount codes for travel expenses. We will also issue a letter to your church and conference to request support on your behalf if needed!

Email Angela.Hui@AYP.me to request financial assistance today!

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 

Roomates & Rides

Post on the AYP social wall or in your local chapter WhatsApp chat to find other AYPers looking for a roommate or a ride. 

Flight Discounts

Flying to Texas? Use promo code HAL02 on AA.com for discounted flights with American Airlines.

Delta Air Lines is pleased to offer special discounts for Adventist Young Professionals. Please click here to book your flights. You may also call Delta Meeting Network at 1-800-328-1111 and refer to Meeting Event Code NY2BV.

Hotel Transportation

Please contact Hilton Garden Inn Dallas at Hurst Conference Center at +1 817-281-5800 and provide your contact, flight, and arrival information. Instructions will be provided by the hotel for pickup instructions at DFW International Airport.

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.

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. 

Our team is here to help. Please email us with your questions and comments:

Jazzmine Bankston
Convention Director
Jazzmine.Bankston@AYP.me

Mark Antonio
Assistant Convention Director
Mark.Antonio@AYP.me

Alberto Mares
Assistant Convention Director
Alberto.Mares@AYP.me

Click on the links below to download resources to help spread the word about the convention. Remember that you’ll receive $10 for each person you invite!

Event Speakers

Benjamin Lundquist
Benjamin Lundquist
Michael Gibson
Michael Gibson
Shawn Johnson
Shawn Johnson
Stephen & Felicia Lee
Stephen & Felicia Lee
Ann Roda
Ann Roda
April Snyder
April Snyder

Major Sponsors

Texas Conference Young Adult Ministries

AdventHealth

Adventist Development Relief Agency

Kettering Health Network

Hope Channel International

Tim Kosaka

Younger Generation Church

Hyve International

Benbrook Worship

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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.

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.

Purpose & Calling | Breakout Track

Ann Roda likes to describe her life as one long adventure with God. She began her career as 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.

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.

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.”

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.