2024 INFO Page

1. EMDC REGISTRATION, EMDC 2024, Chiang Mai

You will need to pay (or make sure you have a waiver, or transfer) to be completely registered. If you started this registration and are no longer planning to come please let us know. Please take notice that some Tracks are pre-EMDC and some are post-EMDC

2. EMDC HOUSING

You will need to pay for your housing (by credit card or internal transfer) to have your housing guaranteed.

  1. CHANGE FROM LAST YEAR. Last year we sent registrants to a Horizon Village web page to pay for the housing. We have now changed so that room preference and payment is made on the same site as your EMDC registration.
  2. Local/Off site/Own Arrangements: If you are make your own arrangements for housing you will need to pay a Day Participant Fee (covers coffee/internet) and you can also opt-in for lunch which can be purchased in advance as part of the EMDC Registration.
  3. Security Note: If you feel that staying at Horizon will compromise your security (based on the country that you live in), please book/stay somewhere else. We are taking significant security precautions at EMDC, but we cannot guarantee anonymity for all.   We are doing many things to make EMDC a secure venue, but we need to state clearly here that it is very possible that your home government learns of your participation at EMDC.  If this is a problem for you, please do not attend.  If you are registered and want to withdraw, please let us know at steve@emdc.info.
  4. Group Booking: Group bookings can be made on the EMDC registration site. A group booking is made by one person, booking multiple rooms for multiple people.
  5. Couple Booking: Please book together in a single registration.
  6. Housing at Horizon: Housing will fill up quickly at Horizon.  We have created triple rooms to stretch the number as far as we can.  Below are some important announcements about housing:

A. Price Guarantee. If you are sharing a room and arrive more than one day before the event start (the start of Pre-EMDC, EMDC, or Post-EMDC) you will pay the cost of a single room package (without meals) for each day that you arrive early. We guarantee that you will only need to pay what is indicated to you on the registration site at the time of your registration.

B. Refunds. If you need to cancel for some reason, and notify us before 7 May, we will refund your housing payment in full if the cancellation is for reasons beyond your control (at our discretion). Otherwise we will refund your housing payment less 3% transaction fee. If you notify us after 7 May we will still do what we can to refund your housing payment. The amount will depend on your type of booking (shared, single and so on).  Note that during the registration you can choose to pay only the event fee and pay the housing at a later time.

C. Rooms. Single rooms are available if preferred. Sharing a room is more cost effective.  2 and 3 person occupancy is possible and may help your arrangements.

D. Roommates. It is preferred that you arrange your own roommates and register together in a single registration if possible. We are happy to find a roommate for you, but we will make the best match that we can to minimize costs for everyone.

E. Transportation.  If you are staying at Horizon, they will pick you up free of charge from the airport.  Please ensure that your flight details and Check In and Check Out dates are correct on the registration site.  See #4 Travel below.

F. Electrical/Electronics.  Please be aware that the electrical system in Thailand is 230 Vac 50 Hz.  For more information: Electrical Info for EMDC 2024

3. VISAS

See if you need a visa hereOur team can help you if you start the process early (like 3 months early), so please enter all your information in the EMDC Registration Form as soon as possible – especially your passport details. Travel insurance for visas?  See Travel Insurance below. 

4. AIRPORT PICKUP

Horizon free airport pickup : If you are booked at Horizon make sure that your Check In and Check Out date, and your flight information is entered correctly on the EMDC Registration Form. Travel insurance for visas?  See Travel Insurance below. 

You can find more information plus a photo of the pickup area at THIS LINK.

5. WORKSHOPS/SEMINARS

If you would like to propose a one-hour seminar/breakout at EMDC,  please write to info@emdc.info. See the bios of the previous presenters here.

6. DISPLAY SPACE

If you are interested in a display table at EMDC, please go to this page for more information. We make an effort to get product and service information to field workers.  If you make the reservation before 30 April, the table is free.  For a reservation and any questions, write to display@emdc.info.

7. “MINI MINUTE-AT-THE-MIC”

If you would like 30 seconds to explain your ministry, or call attention to your booth, please read this information and send your name to minute@emdc.info so we can get those lined up each day. Please send your request in early to minute@emdc.info. Yes…. this used to be a minute-at-the-mic but we have so many people now.

Hey…be creative and win the “Minnie”!!

8. POST-EMDC TRAINING

A short, joint-Track Sunday service will take place on 02 June. The schedule and registration for post-EMDC is just like pre-EMDC (with the addition of the short Sunday Service).

9. WORSHIP BAND

If you are interested in participating in the worship band, please write to david_gray@sil.org.

10. TIME AND DATES

For pre-EMDC training please arrive at least on Tuesday 21 May for a start at 8:30 on 22 May.

For EMDC please arrive at least on Sunday 26 May for start at 8:30 on 27 May.

For post-EMDC training please arrive on Friday 31 May (not earlier please!) for start at 8:30 on 01 June.

The evening of 30 May (Thursday) will be the EMDC Closing Ceremony and departures are after breakfast on 31 May (or stay for post-EMDC Tracks). If you do not understand the difference between pre-EMDC (or post-EMDC) Training and EMDC here is a brief explanation.

       ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE DATES (again)

  • Pre-EMDC Training and EMDC Conference – If you are coming for pre-EMDC+EMDC, arrival date is Tuesday 21 May. Pre-EMDC Training start at 8:30 on 22 May. Departure on 31 May morning.
  • EMDC Conference and Post EMDC Training – If you are coming for EMDC+post EMDC, arrival date is Sunday 26 May. Conference starts at 8:30 on 27 May. Departure on 05 June morning.
  • All 3 events (pre, EMDC and post) – If you are coming for all 3 events, arrival date is Tuesday 21 May. Pre-EMDC Training start at 8:30 on 22 May.  Departure on 05 June morning after post-EMDC training.

11. NEW GADGETS/NEW SOFTWARE/NEW PRODUCTS

If you have a new gadget or new language/Scripture software or product that you want to share, please send that information to newgadgets@emdc.info and we will let you know if it fits and how much time you get to present it during the workshop.

12. AFFINITY GROUPS

Much of the networking at EMDC happens in the Affinity Groups and Communities of Practice. We will inform you on how the Affinity Groups/CoPs will convene meetings

13. SCHEDULE

EMDC 2024 Schedule is available here. pre-EMDC Schedule can be found here and post-EMDC Schedule here.

EMDC Breakout Sessions are listed here. The speaker bios is available here.

14. “COMING ATTRACTIONS” FILM PREVIEWS

On Monday night 27 May, 2024 at EMDC we will preview several new film products. Full description of the process is here. The deadline for film submission is 10 May.  Contact steve@createmobile.org for more information.

15. IT SUPPORT & HELP DESK

The IT support team kindly asks you to limit your on-line devices while at EMDC. Please turn OFF the wi-fi feature of your unused devices. This will help all of us. We have done a lot of work to upgrade the Internet for EMDC, and it should work very well in our hot spots.  The IT Support Desk is just inside the main hall and team members are almost always there.

16. EMDC WEB SITES

Please see emdc.info to better understand the 5 platforms of EMDC. Visit emdcon.org for this conference.

17. TOURS ON 26 May 2024

For those coming to pre-EMDC (or if you arrive early enough for EMDC) you may have the possibility of different tours. If we had time to set them up, these tours can be found here. The Hoizon owners will once again off a free cooking class for the first 20 who sign up.  Details on the Tours page.

18. PRAYER COORDINATOR

People will be praying for EMDC during the conference. If you would like to be involved in those prayer times, or if you would like to submit a prayer request, please write to Jennifer at jennifer_baughman@sil.org. There will be a small box for prayer requests at the registration table and by the stage. Prayer time is each evening at 19:00-19:30 in a room near the Main Hall lobby. Do you know others who would pray? If so please tell them to write Jennifer. They can put their initials on the digital online chart to pray and get daily updates for prayer. 

19. KALAAM MEDIA

If you would like to speak with leaders of Kalaam Media to know how they will help you build a web site (that they will host for free), please make an appointment with them during EMDC. Write to jim@kalaam.org.

20. Free Audio Bibles, Gospel Films, Bible Apps and Digital Promotions

Faith Comes By Hearing (FCBH) may be available again in 2024 to help you obtain a free Scripture App with text and embedded audio in the languages of your area. Many are already available at https://apk.fcbh.org/ and GBA Google Play Store, but if what you need isn’t there, simply request it at here. Requests submitted before 30 March should be ready in time for EMDC. FCBH also provides free Audio Bible recordings and LUMO Gospel Films in several languages (full listing available on our website).

FCBH is also willing to partner with other ministries in advertising and campaigning Audio Bible apps built using Scripture App Builder hosted in their Play Store accounts (containing Audio Bible and/or LUMO Gospel Films) taken from BibleBrain.com.  If you are an app builder using Scripture App Builder, you may also avail the free analytics service and dashboard access for your apps (see SAB documentation).

Write to asia.digital@fcbhmail.org if you have any questions.

21. NETWORKING AT PRE-EMDC AND POST-EMDC

The 4-day Training Tracks are pre-EMDC or post-EMDC.  Some of you are coming only for that Training. This is fine. Remember that this is primarily an in-small-class training time, not an overall networking time (EMDC is better for that). However, you have meal times and evenings. If we can assist you in making a connection during this Training time, please let us know who you are looking for at the registration desk, or write info@emdc.info.

22. NETWORKING AT EMDC

Our Affinity Groups/ Communities of Practice will help you connect with others. Here is the growing list of participating organizations for EMDC 2024.  This list is growing so check back to see new arrivals. If you would like to connect with anyone on the list just write to info@emdc.info. Participants at EMDC will be from around 70 countries.

23. EMDC BREAKOUT SESSIONS AND SPEAKER BIOS

EMDC Breakout Sessions are listed here.   Speaker bios are available here.

24. Jesus Film

Free custom Jesus Film and Magdalena resources available upon request. That information coming soon.

25. Evening Sessions: Films and ad hoc sessions

  • Monday (27 May) at 19:30 is the “Coming Attractions” Film Preview Night (a few mins of 10-15 new films).
  • Tuesday (28 May) at 19:30 – coming soon
  • Wednesday (29 May) at 19:30 – coming soon
  • Thursday (30 May) at 19:30, Closing Ceremony for EMDC

26. Free, Free, Free

Many groups give stuff away at EMDC.  We will try to provide a list here or make announcements.

  • Info coming soon

27. Various Announcements

  1. Photos: Remember the policy that ALL PERSONS in your photos (preferably outside or in a corner) must approve (even if they are just in the background)
  2. Survey: Please fill out your surveys (pre-EMDC, EMDC, post-EMDC) (will be sent to you)
  3. Vote: Please vote on line for the repeat Seminars (will be sent to you)
  4. Guests. Please have all guests/friends get a day pass (and badge) at the front desk.
  5. Dress code.  EMDC prefers “Business Casual.” Please dress modestly when in the public spaces.
  6. Food.  Meals at Horizon are buffet style.  Please do not take a lot of food and then leave it!!  Try small samples first, then go back if you like it.  We feel we need to remind people each year to be a good testimony with this.  Thanks.
  7. Travel gadgets:  The wall sockets fit both European and North American power cords, but the power is 220!  Be careful!  For more info: Electrical Info for EMDC 2024
  8. Credit card:  You may need to notify your credit card company of your travel for your card to work in Asian countries.
  9. Audio helpers needed!  Our audio team is looking for people to help to run sound equipment.  We’ll show you what to do so just volunteer!  Write to Pierre-Yves at <pymutrux@galcom.org>

28. Session Recordings

We have typically audio recorded our breakout sessions.  This year we are having the breakout presenters repeat their sessions in the fall/ winter of 2024 on EMDC Online and you will be able to participate in the ones you missed at emdc.online.

29. EMDC Plenary Presentations

  • Day 1: Affinity Groups
  • Day 2: TBD
  • Day 3: TBD
  • Day 4: TBD

30. Special housing note

Reserving of rooms at Horizon will now take place on the EMDC website.  You no longer need to go to the Horizon site and use a password and use their complex form.  To book, please the EMDC registration page.  Any questions please write to housing@emdc.info

31. Regional mini-EMDCs?

EMDC is always interested in starting occasional mini-EMDCs in other languages and venues.  EMDC Español is already functioning. If you (or a colleague) are interested in helping with Spanish, French, Russian, Hindi, or Indonesian please contact Steve (steve@emdc.info).  We may have an Information Meeting about this at EMDC 2024.

32. Sponsoring EMDC?

Several people have asked if they can support EMDC by a sponsorship.  We have made a few opportunities possible.  You can see that page here.

33. Travel Insurance?

One of the sponsors of EMDC is a Christian travel insurance company.  Many people will need some insurance to get a visa.  Please see this important info for 2024.

34. Take the EMDC Survey!

If you have attended pre-EMDC or planning to attend post-EMDC, we will send you the links (or try out the QR codes in the Main Hall Lobby).

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We will often add new material to this list so check back at this link. Please pray for the speakers and attendees coming to EMDC. See you in Thailand!

Steve B